When my wife and I returned to the Farmington area a few years ago, we did so knowing that this was where we would raise our family and grow old together.
What brought us back and what keeps us here is what I often refer to is a “sense of place.” A sense of belonging. The sense that this is where we were meant to be. A place we can be proud to call home.
I am sure this sentiment is shared by many others about their communities in all corners of our great state. As Maine community members we all have the responsibility to take stock in and ownership of the places in which we live. To ensure the well-being of our communities and to preserve that “sense of place,” it is critical to become active and involved. This is why I am very excited about a program being offered by the University of Maine Center on Aging and the Maine Community Foundation, called Encore Leadership Corps.
ENCorps is a training program for Mainers who are 50 years old and older. It will teach participants about how to get involved in the community, promote change and resolve conflicts. It will also teach about “smart growth,” an approach that emphasizes re-vitalization, environmental preservation, community health, community development and improved quality of life for all community residents.
Are you concerned about such topics as: the availability of affordable housing, whether pedestrians have safe places to walk, how to strengthen your community’s economic base, or the impact of pollution on water or air quality? If so, and you want to learn how to address them, I encourage you to become involved in ENCorps and/or other similar trainings that are available.
I believe these opportunities are unique and allow citizens to give back to Maine by restoring communities and preserving futures. If you are interested in the ENCorps experience, the first gathering will take place in Northport, Maine at Point Lookout in April 2010. This is a free, two-day training program for experienced Mainers that will provide tools, energy, relationships, and support to enable individuals to improve or protect the communities in which we all live. The application deadline for this particular training is Jan. 2, 2010.
For more information about ENCorps and application materials: go to http://www.encoreleaders.org or contact Amanda Chamberlain, graduate research assistant at the Center on Aging, Camden Hall, 25 Texas Ave., Bangor, ME 04401-4324, (207) 262-7931, Amanda.chamberlain@umit.maine.edu
Brent Laflin
New Vineyard
Thanks Brent, for sharing info. about ENCorps.
It really is a great opportunity for those who are trained and the communities they live in also receive a huge benefit. Also appreciate the info. on the Northport training APPLICATION DEADLINE of Jan. 2…
-Ann Woloson
This opinion letter has shades of obamaism. If Farmington were so important, then why did you leave in the first place? If it was for personal gain then you must be feeling guilty?