Maine Ties

Frances Perkins: shining a light on her legacy

Do you know who Frances Perkins is? If the answer is no, you're not alone. She was the first woman elected to a presidential cabinet and under Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as the Secretary of Labor for 12 years. She is responsible for crafting legislation for FDR's New Deal and creating the federal social safety net as we know it today. Perkins spent summers on the family homestead in Damariscotta. The Frances Perkins Center has purchased the home, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is preserving it to shine a light on her legacy.  The "Maine Ties" theme is "Blue Heron" by 317 Main.

Teen homelessness: New beginnings start with a bed

For teens without homes, a bed can mean a new beginning. Preble Street, a nonprofit organization in Portland that provides services to people experiencing homelessness, has seen a rise in teen homelessness. Leah McDonald, senior director of social work, talks about the causes of teen homelessness and the organization's supports for youth. The "Maine Ties" theme is "Blue Heron" by 317 Main.

Feeding Maine, from Aroostook to York

Maine ranks near the top for highest food insecurity rates in the country.  Dixie Shaw from Catholic Charities of Maine in Aroostook County and Katie Brown from Youthfull Maine talk about food insecurity in their regions and how they fight it. The "Maine Ties" theme is "Blue Heron" by 317 Main.

From Congo to college: one student's story

In 2017, Mike Masudi arrived to the U.S. by himself at age 19. Since then, he's earned his GED, an associate degree in information technology, and is pursuing a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity. In this episode, Mike shares how he got where he is today. Anja Hanson, academic advisor at Portland Adult Education, describes the obstacles adult learners face and the determination they have to succeed. The "Maine Ties" theme is "Blue Heron" by 317 Main.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This episode's guest is Kelly Brown, associate director of Next Step Domestic Violence Project in Ellsworth and Machias. The "Maine Ties" theme is "Blue Heron" by 317 Main.