Community Members Develop Video to Thank Local Teens for Their Sacrifices During COVID-19

NEW GLOUCESTER, MAINE (April 30, 2020) ­–  Members of the community, from school counselors to the Cumberland County Sheriff, developed a video to thank Casco Bay region teens for their personal sacrifices during the pandemic to help keep their community safe and healthy.

This spring, teens have foregone sports, prom, graduation and college campus tours, as well as their vital connections with friends, teachers, coaches and counselors. The youth prevention coalition, Casco Bay CAN, reached out to their coalition members to send video messages acknowledging the sacrifices teens are making during this time and developed a three-minute video montage that will be shared across social media platforms and within school newsletters.

“We know that when young people feel isolated and disconnected some feelings of depression and anxiety can overwhelm them and this can lead to substance use as a way to self-medicate,” explains Phyllis Latham, chairperson of Casco Bay CAN and school counselor at RSU 5 Middle School. “We hope to help them feel their community cares and that Casco Bay CAN is a resource to help them during this time. We wanted to let them know they are our heroes through this pandemic and that we are in this with them as a support.”

Community members featured in the video include:

• Jonathan Sahrbeck, Cumberland County District Attorney
• Robin Haley, Falmouth High School Counselor
• Kevin Joyce, Cumberland County Sheriff
• Joanne Grant, Maine Behavioral Healthcare
• Phyllis Latham, School Counselor, RSU 5 Middle School
• Cole Chandler, Deputy, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, SRO, SAD 15
• Kirk Mazuzan, SRO, MSAD 51
• Jill Piker, SAD 15 High School Counselor
• Peter Scott, Parent Representative, Social Worker, MSAD 51 High School
• Michelle Murley, Social Worker, SAD 15 High School

YouTube video featuring community members thanking Casco Bay region teens can be found here: https://youtu.be/26QBWrnv2_s

In addition to developing the video to support and thank teens, Casco Bay CAN has compiled a list of resources for families, counselors, educators and other community members to help address the additional stresses and changes youth are encountering during the COVID-19 crisis.

Thank you to Scott Gagnon, Director for AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc. and to Nikki Wetherell, Outpatient Clinician for DayOne, who provided a presentation for parents at Yarmouth High School last Thursday.

Casco Bay CAN had a resource table available at Freeport’s Public Safety Open House last night. Thank you to our community partners!

Thank you to Joanne Grant, Casco Bay CAN Coalition member and Day One’s Director of Residential Services! Joanne had a Casco Bay CAN information table available at Gray’s End of Summer Fest!

Casco Bay CAN supports local law enforcement during National Night Out!

Hendricus Lulofs, Gray resident, and Andy Pohl, New Gloucester resident, show their support of Casco Bay CAN by sponsoring a hole at a local golf fundraiser! Thank you for bringing positive awareness to our community!