| Joanne Cole, NGX |
An initiative aimed at identifying community members’ needs, providing support, and coordinating resources is under way in New Gloucester. The Community Wellness Outreach Program is being organized by Morgan Rocheleau, director of parks and recreation, at the request of interim town manager Paul First and in consultation with other town leaders.
Rocheleau says he hopes the program can serve as a vehicle not only to help meet residents’ immediate practical needs, such as groceries or supplies, but also to bring connection and combat social isolation, key aspects of wellness. One possible idea, among many: regular phone calls to check in, chat, and answer questions. “There’s a ton we can do,” he said.
While Rocheleau hopes the program will be helpful to seniors, he envisions it as a community-wide resource. Identifying individuals and families in need is the starting point, he said. To ensure the broadest possible reach, a mailer about the program will go out to all residents next week, Rocheleau said. The town wants to ensure that those who aren’t online learn about the resource.
Interested community members—whether seeking or offering support and resources—can participate by ‘enrolling’ at the Community Wellness Outreach link at the parks and recreation website: ngparksandrecreation.com.
As the program takes shape, it might serve as a hub for donations as well as volunteers, Rocheleau said. For example, the community building in the town hall complex could serve as a central drop-off location, he said, or the former public works building be used for storage. Emerging needs and ongoing developments will drive any plans.
One goal that is already apparent is to avoid duplication of efforts with other groups and volunteers, Rocheleau said. He is in touch with the GNG Senior Helpers Facebook group and area organizations to coordinate responses.
Rocheleau expects that the Community Wellness and Outreach program may change as new needs and concerns emerge over time. For now, identifying needs and rising to meet them, with volunteers, resources, and ideas, is the focus. Please consider participating and help spread the word.
