The peace seedlings

We have an exciting new peer group happening with 6, 7, and 8 graders at Lamoine Elementary. Their first project was to decorate plant pots for our charity auction (held in May).

As a result of this project, they elected to be called the "Seeds of Peace" group. They may change that as we move on, though.

Our next task is to design a puppet show for younger students and a presentation about bullying/teasing. :)

Next Step staff who were on hand to see the pots were very pleased by the contribution.

Celebrating the Small Things

While the first official day of spring was followed by snow and cold weather, I am sitting in my office today with the window open. It's still not quite 40 degrees outside, but the breeze and fresh air are a welcome change. And for a few minutes, I feel the need to reflect and be grateful for the small things.

I am grateful for my job in rural Maine, with amazing co-workers. I am grateful for my home in the Maine woods - a large empty house that offers solitude and time to reflect about what has happened in the past, and contemplate what could be my future. I am grateful for the coming spring -- even though it brings with it fund-raising events and meetings, and many new challenges, its arrival reminds me that every day begins with a fresh start. And even among the melting snow, muddy roads, and bare trees, hope exists for change, beauty, and new life.

I celebrate all these things as I sit quietly for a few minutes in a busy day.

I celebrate life.

Students Opposing Dating Abuse

The peer educator group for Ellsworth High, who call themselves SODA (Students Opposing Dating Abuse) had their day-long meeting, yesterday. They reviewed their goals for the year and also practiced the interactive presentation pieces that they co-facilitate in area schools.





The group also discussed doing a project for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April) and for the MYAN conference (Maine Youth Action Network) in the fall. They decided to do a film project which is part play and part hallway-intereviews. The theater-program members are just savvy enough to pull it off! The script also included use of the new national live-chat helpline for teens (www.loveisrespect.org).







Of course, group work is group work. Food remains our primary recruiting tool. :)

Here we come a-lobbying...

The Next Step Ellsworth staff headed to Augusta for the MCEDV Legislative Roll-Out Press Conference. Three new bills aimed at making it easier to combat domestic violence were announced.
Better laws AND better funding? Who wouldn't be smiling? (ok, other than batterers and their attorneys)

The Clothesline Project

The shirts on The Clothesline Project represent victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

For information about the project and meanings of the colors of each shirt, please visit http://dvam.vawnet.org/campaigns/clothes.php

Empty Place at the Table

For information about how and why An Empty Place at the Table began, please visit
http://dvam.vawnet.org/campaigns/emptyplace.pdf

The Maine Silent Witness Project

For information about the Silent Witness Project, please visit http://www.silentwitness.net/

Clothesline Project

The shirts on The Clothesline Project represent victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

For information about the project and meanings of the colors of each shirt, please visit http://dvam.vawnet.org/campaigns/clothes.php