The MaineLinks Newsletter

The MaineLinks Weeks of January 31 and February 6, 2022

What to Know!

Catholic Charities Maine’s Seek Elderly Alone, Renew Courage & Hope (SEARCH) program has received a $10,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation. SEARCH connects isolated seniors with community volunteers in Androscoggin, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, Somerset, and in parts of Franklin, Lincoln & Oxford Counties, along with Brunswick & Harpswell in Cumberland County. Our volunteers bring skills, enthusiasm, and companionship to their lives, while assisting with a variety of support services:

• Friendly visitation and companionship
• Telephone reassurance
• Helping them with appointments/errands and grocery shopping
• Assistance with some in home tasks/projects
• Doing socialization activities together
• Help with correspondence/forms
• Help with yard work
• Referral to other services & programs when needed

Veterans Corner:

The president signed into law provisions of the Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities (AUTO) for Veterans Act, legislation co-authored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) that will reduce the financial burden for severely disabled veterans who require special adaptive equipment to drive a motor vehicle.  The legislation will make these veterans eligible to receive a grant through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help purchase a new adaptive vehicle once every ten years, helping them to drive safely and maintain their independence. 

Training Talk!

The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce has access to $60 million in grant funding. With business partners, they are poised to serve Mainers with short-term training by 2025. Compact Members have streamlined access to services,which include:

• Community college scholarships for staff to continue acquiring skills in pursuit of a degree or credential of value.
• An advisor to assist employees with course selection, textbooks, tutoring,and other resources to ensure their continued success.
• Maintenance of employees’ training records.
• Financial support of up to $1,200 per frontline worker through December 2022. A $1,200 match is available from 2023-2025.
• Training for Compact Members can occur at one of Maine’s community colleges, by a 3^rd party training vendor,or through company-based training.
• All Maine companies qualify and there are additional resources available for small and mid-size companies. To be eligible  for training  frontline workers must be 18 or older, a Maine resident, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Notable Quote:

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” –Nelson Mandela

January is:

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month

February is:

Black History Month

Dog Training Education Month

Hiring Events: (Click on the “Hiring Events” link for full list)

• 2/8-    Springvale CC: Sweetser
• 2/14-  Willton CC: Androscoggin Home Healthcare & Hospice
• 2/15-  Brunswick CC/SMCC: “Love Your Workplace” Hiring Event
• 2/21- Lewiston CareerCenter Hiring Event- 5 Mollison Way

Workshops: (click on the “Workshops” link for more)

• Pre-register online for these virtual opportunities:
• 2/07- Creating a Winning Resume
• 2/10- Preparing For Your Virtual Interview
• 2/16- Job Readiness-Preparing to Apply for a New Job  by EMDC

CareerCorner – February Feature- Property Manager

The field of property management is expected to grow by 7% by 2028.  Whether Residential or Commercial property managers need to possess skills in customer service, financial literacy, and sales.  Maintenance skills such as: appliance installation and repair, drywall, electrical, plumbing, painting, and water intrusion mediation are all valuable in property management. 

And MORE!

Bendable Maine is a new statewide, mostly free, learning marketplace for Maine residents of all ages and backgrounds. LL Bean is offering a free fly-tying class on Wednesday evenings at 5p.m.  for beginners and 7p.m. for intermediate fly-tying through March 22^nd.

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Maine Department of Labor and Maine CareerCenters provide equal opportunity in employment and programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request.