WHITING – Sustainability and strategy were the key words as some Down East after-school and safe-schools coordinators gathered recently to share some of their successes and consider ways to maintain their programs when their grant money runs out.

Rose Binda and Harper Dean, directors of the two programs, brought together their staff, along with various other professionals from the Regional Medical Center at Lubec, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the National Center for Student Aspirations program at the University of Maine, at the Whiting Town Hall.

The meeting was designed to give everyone an opportunity to explore ways to ensure that the programs started over the past three years won’t end when the grants end.

To date, hundreds of students throughout the region have been involved in the various activities, such as Sgt. Donny Smith’s role as a school resource officer, drug awareness programs, security in the schools, mental health and substance abuse counseling, tutoring and virtual field trips.

This was the first in a series of meetings devoted to finding ways to sustain the programs. Later this year a workshop will be held in which two experts from the University of California will visit Washington County to provide additional information on ways to keep the programs available to the young people of the region.

Community members are encouraged to give either Binda or Dean a call at 259-3602 or 259-3427.