Maine Expands Consumer's Life Experience Through Community Service

Feeding shelter dogs homemade dog treats

In 2009, Susan Buck, Program Director at Ralph Street in Bangor, had a vision for her staff and clients. “I wanted to expand their life’s experience by giving back to the community,” she said. Her goal was to develop a program that integrated Fellowship Health Resources’ consumers into the local community. “It could be through volunteering, working, schooling, or simply enhancing individual life skills.”

The first hurdle was reworking the staffing schedule to accommodate this new program. Together, Ms. Buck and Maine’s Regional Director, Brent Bailey, put a staffing pattern in place, which allowed staff the time needed to work with the consumers in the community. These changes resulted in a new position for two seasoned staff members in the Maine region, Kim Deppe and Nicole Cohen, that of Community Integration Coordinator. Program participants trusted Kim and Nicole, leading to a willingness to both engage and volunteer in the community.

Although this program was new to FHR Maine, it did not take long for the two new Community Integration Coordinators to take charge and get participants motivated and involved. “Choosing a volunteer project depends greatly on an individual’s interest,” said Kim. “We need to consider their strengths and capabilities as well.” Kim says that she likes to link the words “let’s go help” and “volunteer” together with the hope that a correlation will be made between the two ideas. “Getting up in time to be ready to leave, getting to the location on time, and the ability to practice socialization skills has been very beneficial to the everyday life skills of our consumers.”

In the year since the program’s inception, Ms. Buck’s tiny seed of an idea has grown into a huge success. Five out of the six Ralph Street residents are either volunteering in their community, or have secured a job. At Broadway, one resident has met a personal goal of obtaining a driver’s permit, another continues to work at getting a G.E.D, and yet another has become a staple in the community volunteer network.

Over the past year, participants have given back to the community through the Bangor Public Library, the American Red Cross at the Blood Donor Center, Bangor History Museum, Hands of Hope Thrift Shop, Ross Manor Nursing Home, and the March of Dimes. Kim is currently trying to secure a volunteer position at a local radio station, as well as another at an area nursing home.

The integration of this service into the Maine Region has resulted in a noticeable increase in activity on the part of the Fellowship’s Broadway and Ralph Street residents. They are far more involved in the home, and isolation has decreased. Program participants benefit from the one-on-one atmosphere these opportunities offer, as staff members consistently accompany consumers when out in the community.