SPECIAL PROJECTS
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.
~ Anne Frank ~
Matthew Record Memorial Park and Trail
Phase One was dedicated on October 3, 2008
Jean and Merle Record, parents of Matthew, cutting Matthew Record
the ribbon to officially open the Matthew Record
Memorial Park and trail.
Family and friends enjoying Phase One
of our three year project.
Volunteers from New Balance and Androscoggin Learning and Transition Center enjoying refreshments after the dedication.
Some of our clients waiting to try
the newly dedicated trail.
Matthew was part of The Progress Center family for many years. His family, friends and Progress Center family were deeply saddened when he left us. Matthew's parents wished to do something in his memory that would brighten the days of those he left behind. What better way to honor his memory than by creating a park for his friends and others to in the community to enjoy. This park is partially funded by contributions of family members and friends donated upon Matt’s death in 2006. There is an existing trail from the parking lot of The Progress Center to the Norway Railroad Trail. The section from the Progress Center to the Railroad Trail is only accessible in the summer due to wet lands and lack of adequate clearing. This project will enhance this connecting trail, add wheelchair accessible loops to the trail and build environmentally acceptable bridges. This will be done in three phases over three years.
When completed, the Matthew Record Park and Trail at 35 Cottage Street will be available to the public on weekends and evenings. The park will feature picnic tables, sitting benches, a wheel chair swing and small viewing gardens. Wooden plant signs will be created by The Progress Center consumers to help educate and add value to the park. Those served by The Progress Center will utilize the park for fitness, relaxation and gardening projects. It is also hoped that local families, as well as people needing wheel chair access to enjoy nature, will take advantage of the park.
The Progress Center has a wealth of people who seek to give back to their community. Maintaining the park and the trails will be part of their monthly programming.
The Oxford Hills Food Cooperative
LINK
Local Foods For Local People
What can happen when a group of small family farms, adults with mental retardation, and a local health improvement coalition join forces?
We believe this unlikely partnership brings about tremendous change in the quality of life of Oxford Hills residents. By joining together and sharing our unique skills and resources, our collaborative group is addressing issues head-on in a proactive, self-sufficient, and innovative manner.
As a cooperative our goal is to strive to serve the growth and long-term health of farmers, chefs, and market gardeners by developing a sustainable network that supports the promotion and distribution of local food to our region.
The cooperative is committed to developing a self-reliant, self-empowering community, by offering a retail exchange to the Oxford Hills region for goods which are grown, produced, traded, and distributed locally, in a sustainable, equitable, and responsible manner.
The Progress Center receives and processes the weekly orders. The clients of The Progress Center sort and distribute produce and baked goods then help deliver it to the members of the Cooperative. This is a win-win situation for all invloved!
The Progress Center Garden Club
The clients at The Progress Center enjoy participating in a very active Garden Club.
One of their larger undertakings this year was planting, tending and harvesting an organic vegetable garden. The vegetables are distributed to the greater Oxford Hills community through the Food Co-operative.
(left: Deb Anthony, Executive Director, visiting the vegetable garden.)
In addition to tending vegetables, the clients also plant and maintain the flowers, shrubs, etc. at The Progress Center. This spring they started an herb garden at the base of the flag pole. These herbs will be used in their cooking classes here at the Center. They also tend the plantings on Matthew Record Memorial Park and Trail.
Each May the Garden Club raises money for the Consumer Activity Fund by sponsoring a plant sale at The Progress Center. This is an annual event that is well attended by the
community.
The advisors to the Garden Club are Manda Payne for the vegetable garden and Mary Akley and Pam Williams for the flowers.
(right: Mary and Ross working on the garden in front of the Administration Office.)
Project Have a Nice Day
The premise of this project is to make a phone call to any person, whether the elderly or anyone who is alone, who would like someone to check in on them. These phone calls are made on a daily basis or as needed at a mutually agreed upon time.
Project Have a Nice Day is a valuable resource to this community keeping people safe and connected. The project also enhances the lives of the people served by the Progress Center through increased work and volunteer skills, personal relationships and a greater sense of civic service. There is no other program like this in the community and fills a need in the care and well being of those living alone. 
Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway and Senior’s Plus in Lewiston are both using Project Have a Nice Day as an extra safety net for those who might benefit from this free community service.
In the future, we hope to further expand this program to include calling latch-key kids. We feel this ease the minds of many working parents knowing that someone is checking in their children daily.
(left: Sarah, Georgia, and Kathy from Project Have a Nice Day.)
The Woodworkers
The one area at the Center that has peaked the most interest in the clients is the woodshop. They start with a plan and, with help from staff, they see their plan take form and shape. The smile of pride on their faces when showing off their finished project reflects a dream come true. For most, this has been their first opportunity to construct a meaningful project from start to finish.
Some items frequently made in woodshop include Cape Cod baskets, bird houses, cutting board and chopping blocks. In December they make white birch table centerpieces. Bird houses and other wooden garden items made in woodshop are for sale at Frost Farm Gallery on Pikes Hill in Norway.
(above: Bruce showing some of the products made in woodshop to a customer at the plant sale.)
Bruce, Greg and Fred also constructed four beautiful heavy benches for the Matthew Record Park and Trail. One of the benches is shown below.
Annual Employer Recognition Night
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and we celebrate by honoring those employers who hire and support our clients with disabilities.
The Progress Center is committed to working in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to provide the supports needed to meet their needs. We believe that all people with disabilities should have the opportunity to obtain meaningful employment. We salute those employers who see beyond the disability and have chosen to focus on the "ability" of those we serve.
(above: Bill S. and Congressman Michael Michaud at the 2008
Employer Recognition Night on October 17th at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch in Auburn, Maine)
(above: Irma McGinnes representing the Auburn Wal-Mart and Paul Conklin from the Oxford
Wal-Mart, recipients of our "Large Business Employer of the Year 2008" award presented at the
Employer Recognition Night.)
