Happy Monday! Our Maine Maven today is Sharon Abrams, executive director of The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers (MCH), friend and client of NMC.

Sharon has worked for MCH for 38 years this September.  She came to the agency as the first teacher in the Teen Parent School Program and later became the director of that program.

After 14 years working with the teen parenting program, Sharon became a licensed social worker and provided casework for young women who were considering adoption as an option.  This included the legal surrender and release for adoption in Probate Court and post adoption counseling.

Sharon later became the assistant executive director which included the financial aspects and development work for MCH.  In 1994, Sharon became the executive director at MCH.

Besides the programs that Sharon has been involved in directly, MCH provides out-patient mental health counseling, an early care and education program, as well as a Christmas and summer camp program.

 

1.) Sharon, what do you find is your biggest challenge in sharing the message of The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers? 

Our biggest challenge is making sure our messages are seen by the correct people.  We need for clients of our various programs to know what is offered for services while also reaching potential funders who may donate to the organization.

 

2.) Has your marketing changed due to developments in social media and the internet?

Have these technological advancements been good for your organization?

Marketing has changed with developments in social media.  We have found that Facebook is a great way to get events publicized.

We also utilized Facebook this Christmas to get the word out fast about immediate needs in our packing.  We found that posting our need for mittens, hats and clothing in a specific size really worked. You can find our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mainechildrenshome.

 

3.) How can people donate or help The Maine Children’s Home?

People may donate on our website, by mailing to MCH at 93 Silver Street, Waterville, ME 04901.

They can also give gifts of stock, insurance or through their estate planning. MCH also uses volunteers depending on their interest.  Volunteers working with children would be required to have background checks.

The Friend’s of the Maine Children’s Home are volunteers who help fundraise for MCH and also work specifically on the Christmas Program.  They do two major events to help raise funds for the Christmas and Summer Camp Scholarship Program, the Lobster Lunch in October and the Spring Yard Sale.