Support Groups

A confidential place to talk.

Information and resources.

Shelter and support groups.

Assistance through the court system.

Referral to other support systems.

A safe place when home isn’t safe.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Crisis intervention, court advocacy, office work, handling donations, speaker’s bureau, working with children.

Required training: AWAP will provide training.

Time requirements: Variable.

Volunteer coordinator: Aimee DesRoches (207) 778-6107.

Education programs for families, the public, health care and long term care professionals. Safe return jewelry: designed to return to safety, individuals who wander because of Alzheimer’s disease. Advocacy for improved public policy affecting people with Alzheimer’s. Community outreach programs for civic groups, law enforcement, clergy and the public. Research into the cause, prevention, treatment and cure of Alzheimer’s disease.

Access to transportation is a major factor in good cancer treatment. Road to Recovery is offered to cancer patients who have no means of transportation and/or who are too ill to drive themselves.

The American Cancer Society has a vast volunteer network in which individuals can make a difference in the fight against cancer. One way they can make a critical difference is by becoming volunteer drivers for the Road to Recovery program. Volunteer driving requires no special skills or education -- just a safe driving record, some free time, a serviceable vehicle, and the desire to help.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer driver, please contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS2345.

The American Cancer Society provides support for women dealing with the emotional and physical effects of breast cancer. Volunteers visit breast cancer patients, answer questions and share personal experiences. Early support is also available for women who have detected a breast lump. Reach To Recovery volunteers are positive role models.

Man To man

The Man to Man program helps men cope with prostate cancer by offering community-based education and support for patients and their family members. A core component of the program is the self-help and/or support group. Volunteers organize these free monthly meetings where speakers and participants learn about and discuss information about prostate cancer, treatment, side effects, and how to cope with prostate cancer and its treatment. Some Man to Man groups may invite wives and partners to attend meetings. In other locations, wives and partners may meet separately in a group setting called Side by Side

The support group will regularly convene on the third Thursday of each month 6-7:30 p.m. in the Walden Room at Franklin Memorial Hospital. No appointment or registration is required and refreshments will be available.

For more information, please contact Fitzgerald at 645-3257 or e-mail empym@yahoo.com.

Meetings stop for the summer - will resume in September. The support group is for women who have had a recent diagnosis of breast cancer, or are currently in treatment for breast cancer, or have had breast cancer in the past and would like to share their experiences.

Farmington (Transportation): (207) 779-0594

Farmington, 124 Main St. (Family Support): (207) 779-0919

Farmington (HeadStart) (207) 778-7534

Jay (HeadStart) (207) 897-4258

New Sharon (HeadStart) (207) 778-0395

Wilton Bass Office, 284 Main St. (207) 645-9512 (HeadStart) (207) 645-3284

Main office is located in South Paris. Satellite offices located in Auburn, Rumford and Farmington have various program offices including HeadStart, Transportation and Family Support.

Programs include:

Parenting education

Supported Journey into Recovery

Parent Partners

Project Meditation

Family support

Healthy Beginnings

Community Cares

H.E.A.P. (Fuel Assistance) Fuel assistance is available through Community Concepts for residents of Livermore and Livermore Falls.

Electric and Telephone Lifelines

Finders/Seekers (linking people to child care opportunities)

Homeless Shelter

Head Start programs

REACH program (increase efficiency of energy usage),

Self-Help Home Building program, low income housing for Senior Citizens, and Home weatherization program.

Self help Home Building Program has fees:

No down payment, low mortgage payments, instant equity (up to $20,000), interest rates as low as 1%, low closing costs, energy efficient, 3 Bedrooms.

Building strong stepfamilies. A stepfamily is a unique family form with unique challenges. Although a stepfamily may look like a traditional family with parents and children, the actual differences between step and traditional families are striking. If you are a member of a stepfamily, you will know how challenging and confusing stepfamily life can be as a host of extra people and demands push and tug at the family unit.

It is often a heartbreaking struggle for a grandparent to see their grandchildren and adult children dealing with the stressful transition of separation, divorce, or establishing a stepfamily. They often wonder "What should I say or not say?" or "Should I just keep quiet and mind my own business?" Other friends and family also stand by wishing they knew how to be more supportive and helpful for those they care about going through these tough times.

The Supporting Families in Transition workshops are designed to help friends and relatives better understand the challenges adults and children face, and explore ways to be supportive to them during these periods of family transitions.

For information about workshops in your area please call for more information.

Parent Support, Home Visiting and School-based Violence Prevention programs:

Growing Healthy Families: provides voluntary support to parents in raising their children from birth to age five through home visits. GHF is a partnership between Franklin Memorial Hospital, and The Children’s Task Force.

Parent Support: support groups, playgroups, and workshops.

Young Parent Support Group: open group for parents under the age of 22.

Parent Support Group: open group for parents, Mondays at 6:00 p.m. at the Franklin County Children’s Task Force. Childcare and snacks provided.

(Other groups develop to meet the needs of the community; call for more details).

Parent Education Classes: seven week class for parent education, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin Memorial Hospital. Certificate available upon completion.

Clothing Exchange: bring-a-bag-get-a-bag of children’s clothes, newborn to sizes 4T, and maternity.

Parent Resource Library: books and videos to provide information to parents, children, and professionals.

Rhythms of Children: Infant/toddler play space – a group for parents and children ages 0 – 5 (particularly for children with disabilities).

Parent Warm Line: call toll-free or our local number and talk confidentially about parenting issues.

School-based Violence Prevention - Bullying/Teasing Prevention Project: district-wide effort to prevent child-to-child violence at elementary level and middle school level.

Kids First Program:

Kids First is a four-hour workshop designed for parents (only) to help address concerns and promote reduction of the negative effects of divorce. Participants are encouraged to attend the program as early in the separation or divorce process as possible.

Special Events: Children’s festival, Father/Daughter Dance, Make Tracks for Kids fundraiser.

Parent Education Classes: $30 fee, Registration required.

Kids First Program: $45 per person, Registration required.

Friday 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Wednesdays 12-4 p.m. Lunch is available on Wednesdays for $1.00.

organization that serves people in Maine who are deaf, late-deafened or

hard-of-hearing by providing resources, advocating for social equality,

and helping the general public to better understand and appreciate this

unique population.

MCD offers services in the following areas:

Civil Rights, Maine Relay Service Outreach, STD and HIV Education, Peer

Support Group, Telecommunications Equipment, Emergency Notification

System, information and referrals.

NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic and other severe anxiety disorders, autism and pervasive developmental disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other severe and persistent mental illnesses that affect the brain.

Trauma Recovery and Empowerment support groups are provided for both the women and men, and support groups for teens are available through the high schools throughout Franklin county. SAVES School-Based Advocate spends one day each week in each of the high schools to meet with students who need support. Programs to help people understand and reduce the risk of sexual assault are offered to students and residents throughout Franklin County.

Victims of sexual assault or abuse (and their family or friends) can access services through SAVES 24-hour, toll-free Hotline.

Clients are never charged for the services SAVES provides.

Support groups:

Women’s Empowerment Group

Creative Recovery for Women

Men’s Survivor Support Groups

Survivors of Incest, Sexual Abuse & Rape Support.

The Healthy Community Coalition staff is trained in tobacco treatment.

Capitol Area - Alternate locations: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 209 Eastern Avenue, Augusta, Maine and St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 60 Eustis Parkway, Waterville, Maine

Contact Person: Cam Weaver (207) 293-2667 email: cjweaver@ctel.net

Meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m.

Lewiston - Westside NeuroRehabilitation Services, 618 Main Street, Lewiston, Maine

Contact Person: Cec Smith (207) 795-6110

Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m.

For more information on other support groups throughout the State of Maine, call 1-800-832-4116.

We do have areas of the state that do not have any nearby support groups. If you or someone you know is interested in helping organize a support group, call us at the I&R Center (1-800-832-4116), and we will get you on your way to facilitating a successful group.

Lewiston - Third Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m.

The Center’s Mission: To provide loving support to grieving children, teens, families and the community through peer support, outreach & education. Please visit our website at www.cgcmaine.org!

The WBC helps women build their business skills by providing access to timely, accurate, tailored information within a setting that respects each woman's experience, management skills and learning style. WBC services can be accessed by any woman who owns or is interested in starting a business in Maine. Opportunities for networking, peer support and mentoring are also available.

The WBC can help with many aspects of your business or business idea including:

 Development of a long-term relationship with a skilled business counselor

 Business plan development

 Improved business skills

 Ongoing support for business growth and expansion tailored to the needs of your business

 Innovative approaches to supporting women's business ownership

 Assistance in new areas of business development, such as telecommunications

 Opportunities for networking with other business owners

 Internet/website counseling