29 APR 2024 · Stella Mars speaks with Kevin Bogart, Deputy Director of The Locker Project of Maine. Kevin explains the no-profit's mission to get food to food insecure children and families in the Greater Portland area through partnerships with grocery stores and farms.  The Locker Project strives to get food to children through low barrier, stigma-free and environmentally responsible means. Learn more at MaineLockerProject.org.  

22 APR 2024 · This week, Stella Mars speaks with Cullen Ryan, Executive Director of Community Housing of Maine.  According to Ryan, society bears the financial burden for people who are chronically unhoused. He shares that the chronically homeless are up to 29 times more likely to be in the hospital and up to 57 times more likely to be in jail when unhoused than when housed. Community Housing of Maine offers afforadable and supportive housing to the most vulnerable. They work with partners who provide supportive services to unhoused people and people with special needs. When people have housing; people thrive, businesses thrive, and communities thrive. Learn more at CHOMHousing.org

15 APR 2024 · April is Autism Acceptance Month. In this episode of Community Connections, Stella Mars speaks with Cathy Dionne, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Maine. They discuss the rationale behind the change from autism awareness to autism acceptance and Cathy shares insight into the many programs and offerings of the Autism Society of Maine (all of which are available free of charge). The Autism Society of Maine is an affiliate of the Autism Society. Their mission is "to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals on the Autism spectrum to become participating members of their communities." Learn more at https://www.asmonline.org/

5 APR 2024 · Patrisha McLean founded Finding Our Voices after she herself was a victim of domestic abuse. She shares that the organization is about women survivors providing sister support to break the silence about domestic abuse. She discusses various types of abuse, numbers of people affected by abuse, and the many things that Finding Our Voices is doing to shine a light on this dark subject. Learn more at FindingOurVoices.net.

2 APR 2024 · Stella Mars welcomes Megan Arsenault, Deputy Director of the York County Emergency Management Agency in Maine and Sam Michaud, Facilities Manager of Good Shepherd Food Bank in Lewiston and Chair of Maine VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster).  In this episode, we discuss Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response.

2 APR 2024 · Stella Mars welcomes guests Jeff Mears, Principal of the Young School in Saco and Ben Wilson, Principal of Auburn Middle School. In this episode, we discuss the changing needs of students and what schools are doing to meet those needs.

2 APR 2024 · Stella Mars welcomes Lauren Smith Kennedy, Director of Development and Communication at the Saco River Wildlife Center. Lauren gives an overview of this wildlife rehabilitation center and talks about their upcoming "Baby Shower" event which will took place on 4/13/24 in Westbrook. Learn more at https://sacoriverwildlifecenter.org/