FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Valerie Compagna, 207-699-7178, vcompagna@mainehealth.org
ROCKLAND, MAINE – The Rockland Peer Support Center located at 12 Union Street, Rockland, invites the public to a grand re-opening celebration from 10 am to 3 pm, Saturday, June 18, to raise awareness about the center and the needs of the community it supports.
There is no cost to attend. The Rusty Hinges Blue Grass band, will play from 11 am to 2 pm. Activities will include a cookout, a bake sale, a free raffle of items donated by local businesses, music, games, rock painting, Narcan training and distribution, and a yard/craft sale. Local artist Virginia Souza will display her work for sale.
Members of the community who wish to display yard sale and craft items, or who wish to volunteer with set-up or break down, or businesses who wish to donate raffle items or help out in other ways may contact the center manager at cynthia.grier@mainehealth.org.
The Rockland Peer Support Center strives to provide a space where individual voices are heard and valued and people gain a sense of belonging. Originally opened in 2019, the center is one of four offered by Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s extensive Peer Support Program. Centers are staffed by people who have personally navigated life challenges and can share openly about their experiences.
People involved at the center take active roles in decisions and can create and facilitate groups in support of each other.
Participation is voluntary and no insurance or referral is required.
“Prior to the pandemic, our center had a vibrant community,” said center manager, Cynthia Grier. “After being closed for several months, attendance at the center declined. With this event and recent improvements, we hope to restore Center engagement to prior levels and increase support to those in our community yearning for connection and belonging.”
“With so many people struggling with the isolation of COVID, mental health, substance use, and with losing community members to overdoses, centers like this are needed now more than ever. We welcome people without judgment or shame,” she said.
Activities offered at the center include:
- Peer support groups, such as Empathy Circles, Working on Wellness, and Dharma Recovery
- Social and recreational activities
- Opportunities to access employment support
- Art classes, gardening groups, and other weekly group activities.
- Trainings have included Overdose Prevention and NARCAN, Restorative Justice, Nonviolent Communication, and many more
To learn more about the Rockland Peer Support Center, contact Center Manager, Cynthia Grier at cynthia.grier@mainehealth.org.
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About Maine Behavioral Healthcare
Part of the MaineHealth system of care, Maine Behavioral Healthcare is a leading provider of mental health services with over 30 outpatient locations throughout southern, western and mid-coast Maine. Services include inpatient care at Spring Harbor Hospital, providing an integrated continuum of comprehensive, coordinated behavioral health care for Maine residents of all ages. Learn more at www.mainebehavioralhealthcare.org.