Finding our way in a new environment often leads to important changes. I wrote about that in OPEN ADMISSIONS, and it’s continued to happen to me since I left the community college classroom.
Moving to Maine, I knew that I would continue to be involved with issues facing nontraditional students in higher education. I learned as a counselor and college teacher that people’s challenges don’t exist in separate categories. So many of my students dealt with other kinds of problems, including the effects of incarceration, poverty, and substance use disorder. Now, this old teacher has become a board member of the Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition.
Today, I am sharing my article that ran in last week’s The Free Press. https://freepressonline.com/Content/Download-the-current-issue-as-a-pdf/Features/Article/New-Growth-for-a-Camden-Residence-with-Deep-Roots/93/78/62139
As you can read in the piece, a few weeks ago, we at MCRC signed an agreement of sale to purchase a property with long history in serving women in need. We want to turn it into a recovery residence for women. Over the past weekend, we learned that another party has submitted a bid to buy the property (which is allowed). Instead of having until the end of March to raise nearly $200,000, we now must do that in less than 30 days.
Our board director Ira Mandel just initiated a Facebook fundraising campaign, and I hope you’ll consider helping this important mission. https://www.facebook.com/donate/2231169103793844/ This recovery residence will change lives. It will serve as a turning point for women in recovery. The ripple effects (other turning points) will benefit their children, and as those women return to the workforce, they will benefit the broader community and decrease the tax burden for all of us.
Let this be a turning point for you. You truly can make a difference.
Ned Bachus 