THE BUZZ


3rd Annual Wounded Veterans Gala & Auction April 29, 2017


T


need? As veterans return home, most struggle during this challeng- ing transition after being injured in service to our country. Due to the many failures in the systems set up to help them, many will have lengthy waits for the benefi ts they have rightly earned. The nature of their injuries makes it almost impossible for them to navigate these systems on their own. Often, they are unable to work, as the bills pile up, and they lose the fi ght to provide for themselves and their families. Wounded Heroes Program of Maine is an all-volunteer team and a registered non-profi t organization, established to be a safety net for them as they transition back into civilian life.


D While making sure veterans’ needs are met, the Wounded


Heroes Program of Maine also works with the systems to try and resolve issues holding up the benefi ts process, while advocating for them. Helping to facilitate the process by working with other groups and resources ensures that our veterans are independent again that much sooner.


The Wounded Heroes Program of Maine relies on donations


and event proceeds to continue providing for Maine’s wounded veterans. One such special event, the Wounded Veterans Gala & Auction, will be held at 6pm on April 29, 2017 at the U.S. Custom House at 312 Fore Street, Portland. There will be lots of amaz- ing auction items, military demonstrations, a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased in advance at www.mainegala2017.brownpapertickets.com. 100% of all event proceeds will be used to directly support local veterans.


You may support this event by purchasing tickets to attend, donating an auction item, providing a cash donation or being a sponsor for the event. Please contact Lynda Adams at 207-650-4383. For more information about the Wounded Heroes Program of Maine, please visit: www.woundedheroesmaine.org


id you know that every day at least 22 veterans commit suicide and thousands more will struggle to fi nd the assistance they


Area Police Departments Collaborate to Fight Opioid Use Disorder


“Every Life is Worth Saving”


he Police Chiefs of Buxton, Gorham, Windham, and Westbrook introduce the Westbrook Recovery Liaison Program (WRLP), a


collaborative effort to assist residents of the four communities who want to break the cycle of opioid use disorder.


WRLP is a State funded grant program focused on helping participants identify individual recovery support needs and access resources as they start the recovery process with two primary goals of helping them sustain long-term recovery and decreasing overall recidivism rates.


In efforts to recruit participants, the Recovery Liaison, Ms. Danielle Rideout, will partner with the Cumberland County Jail, Westbrook’s Community Approach to Stopping Heroin (CASH) Coordinator, and representatives from Grace St. Services who will be hosting an opioid treatment group inside the jail on a weekly basis. In addition, Ms. Rideout will work closely with front line police offi cers and community partners in each community in ef- forts to identify participants.


Ms. Rideout will have established hours for each police department to work with participants and to identify individual recovery support needs; then work to connect them to local re- sources to meet these needs. Examples include, but are not limited to, housing, food, clothing, counseling, mental health and medical health services, occupational training, employment, and commu- nity connections.


Although WRLP is not focused on getting participants into treatment, they will work with all area treatment programs when open- ings are available. This includes medication


assisted treatment programs offered by Grace St. Services and CAP Quality Care.


Services are free and confi dential. Residents who are in need of these services or would like more information are invited to meet with the Recovery Liaison, Ms. Rideout, during the following hours or may contact her at 207-303-4009.


Monday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Westbrook Public Safety Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Gorham Public Safety Thursday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Windham Public Safety Friday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Buxton Town Hall


8 Essential Living Maine ~ March/April 2017


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