Civic Academy connects advocates for aging issues to decision makers

More than 20 residents of northern Maine completed the six-part Aroostook Civic Academy and received their certificates during a ceremony at Northern Maine Community College last May. Graduates include seated, from left, Barbara Robertson, Agency on Aging board president; participants Liz Black and Kathy Dyer; and Dick Engels, Civic Academy organizer. Standing, Joy Barresi Saucier, Agency executive director; participant Jon Durepo; Dottie Martin, Civic Academy organizer; participant Jack McCarthy; Ginny Joles, Civic Academy organizer; and participants Jessica Fischer, John Shaw, Monique Stairs, Carolyn Watson, Lee Thomas, Tomasz Herzog, Kevin Freeman and Mark Wright. The Agency is accepting applications now. (Courtesy of Aroostook Agency on Aging)

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Applications are now being accepted for the Aroostook Civic Academy, a volunteer-driven initiative launched several years ago by the Aroostook Agency on Aging.

The Agency is convening the fourth cohort of its innovative Civic Academy program, a six-week  class designed to build the skills necessary to advocate for change in your community. On  Thursdays from April 10 through May 15, residents are invited to come to learn alongside their  neighbors — of all ages — from across Aroostook County at the Presque Isle office or via Access  Points in Frenchville, Ashland, Monticello and Island Falls. 

Last year a class of 23 individuals graduated from the third session of Aroostook Civic Academy, modeled after a program developed by Age-Friendly Boston. The sessions were coordinated and conducted by staff and volunteers and showcased a multitude of speakers from across the state. 

According to Joy Barresi Saucier, executive director of the Agency on Aging, the unique program provides an interactive learning environment, which engages and enables participants to get  involved at the town/city, county, state and/or federal level on issues that are important to them. 

“The best way to make change happen in communities is to become involved. Persons who  complete this series learn various ways to engage with decision makers at all levels of  government,” said Barresi Saucier. 

Class size is limited so please take a moment to review the materials on our website, including a  complete program description and the application for this session of the Academy. Enroll now  to ensure your spot! Sessions will be hosted in Presque Isle with satellite locations in northern  and southern Aroostook. 

If you have any questions, just reach out to Judi Smith at the Agency or call 207-764-3396. Emails should be directed to Judi.smith@aroostookaging.org.

“We hope that you’ll consider this program or pass information about it along to a friend or family  member — strong voices are critical to the future direction of northern Maine!,” Barresi Saucier added.