Community Connections in Maine

Host Stella Mars speaks with Emma Berry, Community Meals and CSFP Manager at Wayside Food Programs, a food rescue and distribution center. Emma shares the many ways Wayside helps the Portland and Windham communities with food security. To learn more, donate, or volunteer; please visit WaysideMaine.org

Host Stella Mars speaks with Masey Kaplan, one of the co-founders of Loose Ends, an organization that finishes textile projects left incomplete due to death or disability. Loose Ends has thousands of finishers in several different countries. Finishers complete the incomplete project, from sweathers and mittens to patchwork quilts and hand hooked rugs. To submit a project for completion, to make a...

Host Stella Mars speaks with Jeff Gleason, CEO and Camp Director of Y Camp in Windham. Jeff discusses the history and offerings of this summer camp for children. For more, please visit MaineYCamp.org.

On this episode, host Stella Mars speaks with Kiersten Mulcahy, the Director of Teen Shelter Services and Outreach at Preble Street. Kiersten discusses the various offerings of Preble Street's services for those ages 12-21 who are experiencing homelessness. Learn more at PrebleStreet.org.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Mary Snell, President of the Hellenic Society of Maine. In addition to discussing the many cultural offerings of the Hellenic Society, they talk about he 20 year anniversary of the Sister-City relationship between Portland, Maine, USA and Mytilene, Lesvos, Greece. Learn more or join at HellenicSocietyOfMaine.org.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Amy DeCapua, founder of Rattletrap Ranch feline rescue. They discuss feline adoptions and the need for a shelter for cats that are 'unadoptable'. Learn more, donate, and volunteer by finding Rattletrap Ranch on Facebook and Instagram.

On this episode, Stella Mars speaks with Jon Kachmar, Executive Director of Portland Trails. They talk about the different types of trails available for the public to use as well as the benefits of using Portland Trails. Jon discusses the organizations hopes for even greater access and expansion. To volunteer, donate, or learn more about Portland Trails, please visit PortlandTrails.org.

On this episode of Community Connections, host Stella Mars speaks Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed. Tom Mullen, Executive Director and Cami Wilbert, Director of Educatrion explain why it is so important to protect local water resources including lakes, ponds, and rivers from aquatic invasive species. They'll also share steps they take to keep our water clean for wildlife and recreation.  Additio...

On this episode, host Stella Mars speaks with Kaileigh A. Tara from Hope House in Lewiston. All are welcome at Hope House, 91 College Street. Hope House offers a free thrift store, free food market, free neighborhood prenatal clinic with free ultrasounds and much more!  People from surrounding areas are welcome and there is no judgement at Hope House. Please check their website for hours to shop,...

On this episode, Stella Mars speaks with Katie Lisnick, the Executive Director of the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston. Learn how the humane society got its start, what types of animals are available, and how you can support their work through volunteering, fostering, or donating. Katie shares the numbers of animals that come through the GA humane society, the ways that GAHS assists...

Stella Mars speaks with Angie Gade, Development Director at House In The Woods, a nonprofit organization specializing in ourdoor retreats with the mission of fostering healing and hope for veterans and active military service people.  House in the Woods in Leeds Maine has positively impacted veterans, service personnel, Gold Star Families, and more through fishing retreats, hunting retreats, and o...

Host Stella Mars speaks with Noel Bonham, Executive Director of AARP Maine, They discuss the advocacy work that is the primary focus of AARP. This show also unpacks popular misconceptions about AARP and shares who it is for, what it does, and why it matters to people of all ages. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. On this episode, Stella Mars speaks with Justin Chenette from Sweetser. Sweetser is a behavioral health nonprofit that provides evidence-based treatment, support, and hope through a statewide network of community-based mental health, recovery, and educational services. Justin discusses several of Sweetser's program offerings including the Peer Support line whi...

Loss can upend your world. In this episode, you'll learn about two outstanding organizations that are offering peer support to help adults and children cope with loss. Sarah Asch is the Director of Outreach and Education at the Center for Grieving Children in Portland. She describes the many free services they offer for children and adults. Visit CGCMaine.org. Rob Reider is one of the founders of...

Stella Mars speaks with Michelle Surdoval, Executive Director of York Community Services Association (YCSA). YCSA administers a number of resources for residents of York, Maine, including community meals, housing information, General Assistance, fuel fund, food pantry, and more.  YCSA is largely funded through their thrift store at 855 US Route 1 in York, Maine. They hold annual fundraisers to sup...

Stella Mars speaks with FEMA Communications Specialist, Deanna Frazier about assistance available to Mainers adversely affected by the back-to-back storms January 9-13, 2024. Learn which homeowners and renters may apply for assistance, how to apply, and what pitfalls to avoid in the application process. Deanna also shares tips about how to avoid scams. The deadline to apply for assistance due to t...

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 Maine...

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 af...

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 Autis...

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...

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.

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.

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 Home - Saco River Wildlife Center