Sep 19, 2021 | Addiction, Aging, Mental Health, Non-Profit Organizations
Part 1: Volunteers of America is a spiritually based social services organization helping the area’s most vulnerable populations. They provide affordable senior housing throughout the state, homeless veteran services, recovery services, correctional re-entry services, behavioral health services as well as a free-weeklong youth camp. In this episode, Michael Coon, Vice President of External Relations, joins me to discuss all those services in detail and more!
Part 2: Weekly Words of Wisdom – Lynda continues the story of their beloved dog Trevor passing away and shares information to help people through the grieving process after losing a pet.
Sep 12, 2021 | Alternative Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Non-Profit Organizations, Nutrition
Part 1: In this episode I speak with Leah Robert and Sarah Kelly. Leah is an Oncology Nurse and after her sister, Sarah, was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 32nd week of pregnancy, they both went through a deep cleaning exercise of getting rid of harmful, unhealthy products which led to them creating SaltyGirl Beauty and the non-profit organization Foundation4Love . They will share their very personal journey and talk about how Foundation4Love is helping to provide Integrative Wellness services to cancer patients through New England Cancer Specialists.
Part 2: Weekly Words of Wisdom – Lynda shares her heartbreaking story of having to put their dog, Trevor, to sleep and about the special message they received from him after he was gone.
Aug 8, 2021 | Charity, Children, Non-Profit Organizations, Personal Development
Part 1: Donna Dwyer, President and CEO, of My Place Teen Center joins me to talk about their mission to provide a safe haven for youth ages 10-18, sustaining them with comfort, meals, resources, and hope. My Place Teen Center (MPTC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, regional organization headquartered in Westbrook, Maine, with a temporary location secured in Saco, and a soon-to-be new one in Biddeford (opening in 2022).
They are a year round, free, out of school time program. They provide academic assistance through tutoring, study skills, the Learning Technology Lab, and Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math (STEAM) programs. They offer instruction in character development, leadership development, life skills, job skills, and financial literacy. They focus on aspects of healthy, responsible moral development that builds strong character, self-esteem, academic, and leadership skills.
The culture at the Teen Center is one in which they are loving first and firm when needed. A family-type, anti-bullying, safe environment is their hallmark. When youth walk through their Red Doors, they see kids who have the potential to thrive with mentoring and guidance. Their niche is fostering grit, perseverance, curiosity, passion, and accountability. These non-academic pursuits are the success indicators of positive, thriving futures. They are committed to engaging these young people in positive relationships and meaningful activities that allow them to be courageous in the face of their traumatic life circumstances.
Given their transient, middle and high school population, they know that hunger and homelessness are on the rise and parent substance use is a contributing factor to their kids’ exposure to early trauma. Confronted with the fallout of childhood trauma, they are asking why do some children adapt and overcome, while others bear lifelong scars that flatten their potential? A growing body of evidence points to one common answer: Every child who winds up doing well has had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult.
Please consider donating to help My Place Teen Center continue their mission. Not only will you be helping children today, but also our future adults!
Part 2: Weekly Words of Wisdom – Lynda shares a story about a recent encounter with an angry parent and provides tips on how we can have a positive influence on our children.
Jul 22, 2021 | Aging, Chronic Pain, Fitness, Non-Profit Organizations, Nutrition, Safety
Part 1 – Jen Paquet, Training Manager, for Healthy Living for ME joins me to talk about this amazing organization that is helping to keep Maine’s population thriving into and through their elder years! Through a network of local leaders, community organizations and health systems, Healthy Living for ME delivers programs to help adults manage chronic health conditions, prevent falls, and foster well-being. If you are coping with high blood pressure, heart disease, COPD, arthritis, diabetes or other chronic conditions, Healthy Living for ME can support your efforts to live life as fully and independently as possible.
Part 2 – Weekly Words of Wisdom – Lynda talks about her beloved dog, Trevor, being ill recently and how she noticed that the healthcare system for pets is following the same pattern as for people.
Jun 18, 2021 | Anxiety, Children, Depression, Grief, Mental Health, Non-Profit Organizations, Personal Development
This show is a montage of 3 of my favorite Maine non-profit organizations providing updates on where their organizations have been, where they are now and what they need to continue helping so many!
Debby Porter is the Founder & CEO, of the non-profit organization Hair Matters. As a hair stylist, when Debby heard the words, “you have breast cancer” she was not only terrified for her life, but she wondered how she would cope with hair loss. She found there was no place to turn for help with hair loss and during her recovery she vowed to create the kind of help she wasn’t able to find. That’s how Hair Matters was born. Today, Hair Matters works to restore vitality and hope and reduce fear and isolation for all who seek their help by providing emotional support and hair loss solutions in a non-medical setting. You can hear the full interview I did with Debby in Episode 67.
Amie Marzen, founder of Madeline’s Mission joins us to share the story of her beautiful daughter Madeline, whom she lost at just 4 years young to a brain tumor. When Amie found herself in this “child loss club” she felt lost, alone, and scared and couldn’t find the support she and her family needed to help them during this difficult time. That situation motivated her to create this non-profit organization in honor of her daughter so other families will have the support they need while coping with the loss of a child. You can hear the full interview I did with Amie on Episode 33.
Catherine Ann Wilson, founder of Stop Trafficking US, is a child sexual abuse and sex trafficking survivor. Catherine shares her very personal story through a worldwide platform to help prevent what happened to her from happening to other young girls and boys. In this episode, she shares about the huge difference her organization is making by providing training to social workers, law enforcement officials and more! You can hear the full interview I did with Catherine in Episode 35.
Apr 21, 2021 | Books, Emotional Health, Non-Profit Organizations, Personal Development
Part 1: Sarah Lipton is a published author, podcaster and quirky, visionary creative. Her passion for travel, contemplative practice and writing began when she was a small child in Maine, gazing longingly at the ocean, and the imagined worlds beyond. To weave all of her passions together, Sarah created GENUINE, Inc, a 501(c)3 nonprofit and podcast that is focused on guiding members to BE, spark and ignite their true impact in the world which is the topic we talk about in this episode!
Part 2: Weekly Words of Wisdom – Lynda talks about a free course she took on Intuitive Eating with Annie Poirier of Shaping Perspectives.