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Waldo County Tech Team unites to support students SEASON OF GIVING
The Maine Education Association is giving back during our Season of Giving! MEA offices around the state will all participate in our new MEA Season of Giving where each office will do something to help others in the community. AND—we know you’re all doing the same. Maine Educator is sharing some of those stories here and encourages you to share your stories on our social media pages. Use #MEAGiving in your post! Check out our Facebook page for more details.
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“If they’re in survival mode, we need to meet their needs.”
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n increasing number of children are in need across the state and an increasing number of educators find themselves in the position of doing more than teaching.
At Waldo County Tech Center, carpentry students are helping build a new space to house the It’s Cool to Be Warm clothing “store” where everything is free for students. From hooded sweatshirts to hats, to underwear and everything in between, the “store” has what students don’t have, and need. The Food for Friends food pantry is in a large closet in a separate part of the school. Inside, students can freely walk and get snacks, breakfast and even food to take home for dinner or holidays when they don’t receive a hot meal at school. There are no questions asked. The pantries are necessary additions to the school that accepts students from three districts in Waldo County. “We are now more aware than ever as to just how many of our students are homeless, couch-surfing, or not living with their parents,” said Lacey Breems who helps run the programs. The awareness of need comes in part from a survey the school conducts quarterly asking students specifically what their needs are—food, clothes, toiletries, even housing.
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Maine Educator • December 2018
