How is Maine responding to workforce needs through innovation, talent development, and educational opportunities? Join the Maine Development foundation to learn about the recommendations from the State’s Ten-Year Strategic Plan and Economic Recovery Plan, educational opportunities within the University of Maine System’s Micro-Credentials for Professionals and Community Members program, and how these innovations impact career prospects for students of all ages in Maine. Our discussion will be led by Kimberly Moore, Director of the Bureau of Employment Services with Maine Department of Labor; Rosa Redonnett, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Credential Attainment with the University of Maine System; Jennifer Chace, Program Director at Education Action Forum of Maine. Participants will also hear from UMaine-Augusta student, Amie Shurman, and recent graduate, Dancile Nshimirimana, Licensed Practical Nurse. Part of MDF’s Innovating For Economic Growth Series.
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Virtually join Portland Ovations for ‘Screen to Stage,’ to be a part of the future of live, in-person performances in Portland. This mini experience offers all audiences a curated taste of what’s to come in PO’s 2021-2022 season. You’ll hear from Ovations staff and see videos of the internationally acclaimed artists in music, theater and dance Ovations is bringing to Portland. You’ll also hear from some of the Ovations’ Members whose voices, presence and support have made Ovations sing for all these years.
Ovations’ Members will be able to pre-purchase tickets for the selection of announced performances starting that night during the annual Members Only Pre-Sale, as well as join staff in a virtual post-show Member lounge for questions and conversations.
Be sure to renew or become a new Member by June 15 to have the opportunity to buy your tickets immediately following the event, join us in the Members post-event lounge AND to receive a special pre-event treat.
As they celebrate their 90th year, Portland Ovations is excited to raise the curtain on a new season, one of being together not only on our screens but also on the stage.

Join MDF for a workshop with Janine Fondon, Co-Founder UnityFirst, Assistant Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Communication at Bay Path University. We will revisit the path from inequity to inclusion by learning more about truth-telling in a world of fake news, distorted facts and untold history. The session will examine a range of topics from the tragedy of George Floyd, the struggle of women of color to make change, violence against Asians, the future of white privilege, and Juneteenth. How do we address systemic racism in a divided society? Part of MDF’s Women Transforming Leadership Series.
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Union Church of Biddeford Pool is celebrating their 20^th Speaker Series Anniversary with another slate of nationally recognized speakers. This year’s summer-long series features virtual addresses from authors and thought leaders who take their inspiration from nature as part of the unifying theme: “Rekindling Love for Our Living Earth.”

Four presentations are scheduled over a three-month period, all touching on important topics related to the health of our planet. On June 17th, Jennifer Comeau, author and founder of Sunrise Hill Sanctuary, kicks off the series with a presentation on “Reclaiming Your Wild.” On July 8th, local entrepreneur Phil Coupe, founder of Revision Energy, will give a talk entitled “A Blueprint for a Renewable Energy Future.”  This event will be a hybrid in-person/zoom event. On July 29th, Diane Wilson, Executive Director of the Native American Food Safety Alliance, and author of The Seed Keeper, will speak about “Seeds for Seven Generations.” On August 19th, author and Harvard Divinity School Writer-in-Residence, Terry Tempest-Williams will speak on “Defending Wild Earth”.  All events are at 7PM EDT via Zoom.

Several additional events are included with your Series ticket price, such as a Movie Night, featuring a screening of Kiss the Ground, an inspiring film about agricultural revolution in America, a workshop on the wonders of nature, and community “Deepening Conversations” designed to and enhance conversation around “what is mine to do” in terms of climate and environmental degradation.

The healthcare landscape in Maine and across the nation has undergone dramatic change in the past several decades, and change continues unabated. Join MDF’s panel of healthcare experts and practitioners as we examine the current healthcare ecosystem in Maine, and explore innovative approaches to funding, delivery, and development of a more diversified healthcare workforce. Specifically, we’ll look closely at: innovations and disruptions occurring in healthcare that will fundamentally change how healthcare is delivered and paid for; the current and projected impact of Community Health workers, an emerging peer workforce, on healthcare delivery in Maine; addressing the barriers to work faced by foreign trained health professionals and the role they can play in creating a diverse and culturally competent workforce. Participants will hear from Judiann Ferretti Smith, Hanley Center; Peter Hayes, Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine; Ben Hummel, Maine Mobile Health Program, and Sally Sutton, New Mainers Resource Center, Portland Adult Education. Part of our Innovating for Economic Growth Series.
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Join the YMCA of Southern Maine for the Virtual Peaks to Portland Swim to Benefit Kids! The event runs anytime between July 1 and July 31, and brings the world-famous open water swim to you while helping the Y provide critical support to kids and families in our community.  By registering to swim the 2.4 miles in your body of water of choice, you’ll be making life more certain for kids while continuing the tradition of the iconic Peaks to Portland swim.