Over the last few weeks, Foundation President & CEO Nicole Witherbee’s busy itinerary has included taking part in discussions about critical issues affecting children and families, seeing partners’ work on the ground, and celebrating Foundation partners who are being recognized for their community impact. Here are a few highlights.

In June, Nicole was honored to help present awards to two longtime partners.  On June 5, Preble Street Executive Director Mark Swann received the Muskie Access to Justice Award from the Muskie Fund for Legal Services for his 30-plus years of work to serve and empower those experiencing homelessness (pic 1). On June 20, the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized Northern Light Mercy Hospital for its community leadership, including efforts to invest in the local workforce through the +MPower program (pic 2 – left to right, Northern Light Mercy Hospital President Charlie Therrien, Nicole, Community Housing of Maine Executive Director Cullen Ryan, and Mercy Vice President of Mission Integration and Support Services Melissa Skahan).

Later that month, Nicole joined Foundation staff and Board to visit our partners at Bangor Housing and the Boys & Girls Club of Bangor to see the impact of Moving Families Forward, hear directly from parents in the two-generation program, and have some fun at a community block party (pic 3). That same week, Nicole joined Matthew Desmond, Princeton University professor and author of “Poverty, by America,” for a compelling discussion about the systemic factors that cause and perpetuate poverty in the United States, as well as bold ideas for addressing it (pic 4).

Her latest outing was to Freeport for a morning spent talking to LL Bean employees about the Foundation’s work and legacy with Shawn Gorman, who chairs the boards of both L.L. Bean and the Foundation (pic 5). Where will Nicole be next? Be sure to follow our Facebook and LinkedIn pages to see.