Physical disabilities groups

BANGOR – The Physical Disabilities Support Group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Alpha One, 1048 Union St. The topic will be outdoor recreation such as fishing and bow hunting.

At the same time, family members, friends and care givers of those with physical disabilities will hold their own meeting at Alpha One.

All are welcome to meet at 5 p.m. for a potluck meal.

A helping hand for children

BREWER – In collaboration with 11 Wal-Mart locations in Maine, 92.9 WEZQ and Hands of Hope in Bangor will air the first annual 92.9 WEZQ Village Child Project, a three-day broadcast to benefit abused children living in group homes. The event will take place 9 a.m. Friday, May 2, to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at the Super Wal-Mart in Brewer.

In December 2007 WEZQ’s program director, Dorian Daniels, discovered through Hands of Hope that children being cared for by the state and living in group homes lack funds for some basics and need personal rebuilding programs, especially for victims of abuse and neglect.

At the same time a fledgling support program called Healthy Seeds was trying to find ways to fund its efforts to provide a therapeutic, recreational summer experience for many state children who are victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. One conversation led to another and a new nonprofit benefit was born to fund programs of this nature.

It was agreed that 92.9 WEZQ would spearhead a three-day broadcast to encourage the public to make donations and to raise awareness. Don Emmons of Wal-Mart agreed to help out. Grants have been set aside by Wal-Mart stores in Rockland, Bangor, Lincoln, Presque Isle, Ellsworth, Houlton, Waterville, Palmyra and Skowhegan to get the program rolling.

Daniels has agreed to camp out at the Brewer Super Wal-Mart for all three days.

The goal of the project is to rehabilitate abused and neglected children in state care who are living in group homes.

Mental health awareness

Gaining Empowerment Allows Results Parent Network, a statewide, parent-run family organization that strives to establish a unified voice for children and youth with emotional, behavioral and social challenges, will participate in Children’s Mental Health Week, May 4-10, and in National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.

An awareness day celebration will be held 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Hall of Flags, State House, Augusta.

The goal is to raise awareness of children’s mental health issues with the hope of encouraging early diagnosis and treatment and to eliminate the stigma associated with children’s mental health.

“Many parents feel blamed, ashamed and judged for their child’s disability when it is related to mental health,” said Carol Tiernan, program director of the nonprofit G.E.A.R. Parent Network.

Anxiety disorders, mood disorders and disruptive disorders are the most common mental disorders among children. According to the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 21 percent of U.S. children ages 9-17 have a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder that is associated with impairment in their lives.

However, an alarming 79 percent of the children ages 6-17 with mental health disorders do not receive necessary mental health care, though the treatment success rate is nearly 80 percent. Early detection and treatment have been shown to prevent some of the tragic consequences of untreated mental health challenges such as dropping out of school, juvenile detention, self-harm, substance abuse and suicide.

Organizations, families and youth involved in celebrating the awareness day are encouraged to wear a green ribbon to signify support and awareness.

The green ribbon was chosen by the mental health community to signify new life, new growth and new beginnings. In the 1800s, the color green was used to label people as insane. Efforts are now being made, celebration organizers said, to overcome the negative stigma and focus on support, families and overall mental health.

For information, visit www.gearparentnetwork.com or call 800-264-9224.

AIDS Walk in Bangor, Brewer

BANGOR – Eastern Maine AIDS Network will sponsor the area route of AIDS Walk Northern New England 2008 on Saturday, May 3.

Organized by Maine Community AIDS Partnership, walks will take place across Maine and in Portsmouth, N.H., May 3-4. Funds raised will be matched by the National AIDS Fund and go to local HIV-AIDS service organizations.

The 5K walk will begin and end in front of the EMAN office, 370 Harlow St. Walkers will proceed across the State Street bridge to Main Street, to Brewer, back across the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge, and through downtown Bangor.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. with the walk at 11 a.m.

Volunteers are needed to help set up, direct participants to parking areas and act as crossing guards at various intersections along the route. Donations are accepted.

Participants should visit www.aidswalk2008.shorturl.com, which will direct them to the Kintera Web site, where they may register online and create their own fundraising page.

Participants also may register by picking up a form at the EMAN office or at 10 a.m. the day of the walk.

There is no fee to participate and pledges are optional but highly encouraged.

For information about the AIDS Walk, visit www.aidswalk2008.shorturl.com, call Suze Howe at 990-3626 or e-mail showeeman@gwi.net.

Better Hearing and Speech

BANGOR – May is Better Hearing and Speech Month. The Warren Center and the Bangor Public Library will present a series of brown-bag lectures, or “Lunch and Learn” events, designed to help preserve and develop invaluable tools for communication. All events are at the Bangor Public Library. The public is invited to bring a lunch and to learn.

. Kimberly Reily will present “Social Pragmatic Skills: Why are They so Important?” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 7.

. Amy Bragg offers “Turn That Down! Hearing Conservation Strategies,” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 14.

. Mary Beth Richards presents “Early Language & Literacy,” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 21.

. Kimberly Reily offers “Communication Tips for Speaking with Family and Friends,” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 28.

The presentations are informal and participants should feel free to come and go, taking part in whatever portion of the event they wish or find possible during the lunch hour.

Caring Connections grant

Caring Connections, a cooperative women’s health program of the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center that is funded through philanthropic dollars raised by Healthcare Charities, announced the receipt of grant funds to continue two women’s breast health programs in 2008-2009.

Bridging the Gap is a breast health screening, diagnostic and education program for women age 20 through 39, now in its 10th year of funding from the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure, and is managed by Caring Connections at the Bangor Y on Second Street.

The program provides no-cost clinical breast exams, imaging and other diagnostic services to women who are uninsured or underinsured and who qualify financially. If additional procedures not covered under the grant are needed, or if treatment of breast cancer is necessary for any Bridging the Gap women, EMMC demonstrates its commitment by covering its own costs when other resources cannot be accessed.

Bridging the Gap’s mission includes breast health education, with a focus on women in their 20s and those in underserved and often overlooked populations. The program distributes “Breast Health for Young Women,” a brochure developed specifically for young women. An easy-to-read format of the brochure is also available. Both include a breast self-exam flyer to assist young women in breast health education and care.

Bridging the Gap also distributes “If Breast Cancer Was A Sport,” a brochure designed to educate men about their risk for breast cancer. The brochures are free of charge through Caring Connections.

For information about Caring Connections, Bridging the Gap, or Bridging Books, call Ro or Robin at 941-2808 or e-mail CareConn@BangorY.org.

Children’s Fair

BUCKSPORT – The 2008 Children’s Fair will be held 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Jewett School Gym, Bridge Street and Broadway.

Parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles or special friends are encouraged to bring their babies, toddlers or preschoolers for a fun-filled morning of creative play. Children’s activities include music, blocks, a sandbox, art, a special baby play area, play dough, bubbles and prizes. Adults will learn about the variety of valuable resources and services that are available locally and regionally for young children.

This year’s fair will feature the Bee Wise Immunize Program that provides important information on childhood immunizations. The Bucksport Police Department will introduce parents and guardians to ways to talk to children about strangers and other dangers. The Bucksport Coordinated School Health Program will highlight the 5-2-1-0 Program that promotes healthy eating habits.

Families will be encouraged to take the Smoke-Free Home Pledge that is sponsored by The Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine.

The Bucksport Bay Early Childhood Network sponsors the Children’s Fair annually. Network members include representatives from the G.H. Jewett and Miles Lane School, Bucksport Area Child Care Center, Child and Family Opportunities, Bucksport Head Start-Resource Development Center, Downeast Health Services’ Parents are Teachers Too Program, Maine Parent Federation, Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition and concerned community volunteers. For information on local and regional child care resources, call the Totline at 469-3687.

Arthritis Walk

BANGOR – Organizers of the Arthritis Walk are seeking teams and individuals to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.

The Arthritis Walk will step off Saturday, May 17, at the William S. Cohen School on Garland Street. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m. Participants may walk as much or as little as they like. A 1 mile and a 3 mile route will be marked.

For information, visit www.arthritis.org or call 800-636-2113.