Community Connector Spotlight:
Bethel Area AFCI
Melinda remington
The Community Connector Pilot is part of the Community Connections project, a signature initiative of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging, partnering with the University of Maine Center on Aging, Lifelong Maine's Age-Friendly Communities, and Maine's Area Agencies on Aging.
The goal of the Community Connector Pilots is to expand resource connections and increase the capacity of age-friendly communities to connect residents to the services and programs they need to thrive. Each of the 12 pilot projects built on the strengths and needs in their community so each is a little different.
Each month, the Lifelong Maine news will highlight one of the 14 Community Connectors working in the 12 Community Connector pilot sites. To learn more about all of the pilots, visit Community Connector Pilot Sites. This month, we shine a light on Melinda Remington, Bethel Area Age Friendly Community Initiative Community Connector.
An afterschool program that brings generations together.
As a Community Connector pilot site, Bethel Area Age Friendly Community Initiative's (AFCI) focus has been to strengthen and enhance its programs by recruiting volunteers, building partnerships, and increasing outreach to older residents and their families. Leading the effort is Community Connector (CC), Melinda Remington.
“The older people in my community are also my peers,” Melinda shares. “I meet many old and new friends everywhere I go. I always keep my business card on me and am quick to talk about AFCI, services provided, and opportunities to get involved.”
Bethel serves as a central hub for nearby towns like Gilead, Greenwood, Hanover, Newry, and Woodstock, offering essential services such as pharmacies, healthcare, and shopping. AFCI has been working since 2015 to support a shared community goal - to create a community where people can remain active and involved in their homes and communities as they age.
Strengthening the Community Through Key Programs
AFCI has developed several impactful programs that provide practical support while fostering a sense of community.
Neighbor2Neighbor (N2N) Ride Share
This free service relies on volunteer drivers who take people to medical appointments, grocery stores, hair salons, and social gatherings. Through the CC pilot, Melinda is actively seeking volunteers to grow the program.
“You never know where you’ll find a volunteer,” she says. “Fur Night with the older ladies in Bethel resulted in recruiting a new driver!”
Winter Walk the Gym
Staying active in winter can be challenging, but AFCI’s Walk the Gym program offers a safe and welcoming space for movement and partnering with N2N they can provide a ride to folks who need it. The program, a collaboration with Gould Academy, is hosted in their Fieldhouse, providing an inclusive environment for all mobility levels. It was recently highlighted in a WMTW news spot showcasing its physical and social benefits. Watch here.
Handy Neighbor Program
Twice a year, the community comes together for this intergenerational initiative. High school students and adult volunteers assist older residents with yard work and household chores with the goal of strengthening community bonds while helping people maintain their homes. Over 100 students and a dozen adult volunteers have completed needed chores for the older people in local towns. At the end of the day, everyone looks tired, dirty and proud as they hungrily devour pizza, chips, and soda provided by AFCI!
“We are delighted to see a wider range of people asking for assistance," and Melinda says, "for students, the spirit of sharing and caring comes alive when they realize the positive impact their contribution makes for their elder neighbors. These tangible improvements help everyone, young and old, to feel better about their own neighborhoods while making the towns more cohesive throughout the region."
Building Connections and Looking Ahead
Melinda’s outreach approach leverages natural synergies between community groups
“I attend and work on a wide variety of activities and much of what these other organizations do intersects with the goals of our AFCI,” she explains.
By attending local events like the Bethel Senior Citizens Club, ‘Soups On’ lunch program, and ‘Morning of Games,’ she has built valuable relationships that spread awareness of AFCI’s mission, and inspired people to take a lead to start something in their own towns. For example, a Bryant Pond resident who Melinda met through a charitable sewing group has begun a Games Group at her local library.
Looking ahead, AFCI aims to build upon its successes and continue to expand. Inspired by the positive reception of ‘Morning of Games’ and the winter walking program, the initiative hopes to introduce similar programs in more towns and across different seasons. Although Bethel is a hub, Melinda sees the importance of offering opportunities within people’s hometowns.
“I can envision several regular walking programs led by new local volunteers, and more places to gather regularly to play games or other social activities.”
As AFCI celebrates its ten-year anniversary, there is much to be proud of - and even more to look forward to.
The ever-growing “Soups On” social dining program.
“I am so impressed with the passion our members have for our community and for those in need,” says Julie Hart, recently appointed AFCI Board President. “Through her CC role, Melinda has made a tremendous difference in the number of people we have served and the general awareness of AFCI programs in particular. The board is focused and is working hard to meet the goals and objectives of all of our programs.”
By continuing to adapt to the needs of the aging population, Bethel and its neighboring towns are setting a strong example of what it means to be an age-friendly region.