News You Can Use from Rural Community Action Ministry (RCAM)

We’ve had some changes recently and we’re eager to share the news— The program assistant we hired this past March has moved up to take another position—Homeless Prevention/Shelter Navigator after the resignation of that employee.  So, we are now looking to find a new program assistant, a position we created to help us build our capacity to help the people who need our services quickly.  You can go to our website to find out more about that part-time position.  It’s an ideal job for someone who wants flexibility and the opportunity to be surrounded by caring co-workers. 

All of our staff at RCAM are busy pulling together our information about how many people we helped in the most recent fiscal year.  We will have that ready to share in the next Newsletter.  We’ve had a busy summer and a lot to juggle.  Most of our calls during the summer are for help with utility payments, rent, transportation, and budget counseling.  

Our Gardening program is wrapping up the growing season.  The community garden we grow at our Church Hill Rd. property in Leeds had a dismal season—too much rain at the beginning of the season, followed by superweed overtaking the garden, and hungry deer getting at the veggies led to a trifecta of trouble for us as our 24/7 garden stand remained barely stocked this year.  It will take some intensive work to rid the garden space of the superweed.  And, thanks to a Bates College workgroup of student volunteers, we have a solution for next year’s growing season.  Two weeks ago, these student volunteers spent three days building raised beds we can use to plant our veggie seedlings.  They also tackled weeding out the superweed and made a big dent.

RCAM has an urgent need for more volunteers for projects like this and for volunteers in general.  If you are someone who likes to give back even if you only have a random couple of hours now and then, please give Teresa Barrera, our Housing/Volunteer Coordinator a call or email her.  We have all sorts of things we can use volunteers to accomplish.  A couple of examples?  Our Empty Bowls Supper is coming up the first Saturday in November and we could use volunteers to help us find pottery bowls people are willing to donate.  Our Holiday Gift Program is coming up,  and we could use volunteers to help us organize all the gifts and get them ready for delivery.  Both of these are examples of things that are short-term, time specific opportunities.  We also need RCARS volunteer drivers, and volunteers with DIY skills to help with our Housing Program requests.  Our RCARS volunteer drivers typically earn a little over $250 a month.  We pay a stipend for gas and reimburse drivers for the miles they drive.  Drivers can work as much or as little as they’d like.  It’s a great opportunity for someone who has a bit of time on their hands. You can reach Teresa at 207.524.1031, her direct line, or by email at tbarrera@rcam.net.