Community Check-In: What We Heard From You

This fall, Healthy Acadia shared a voluntary, community-wide survey to check in on how folks are doing and better understand the state of community and public health and happiness across Hancock and Washington counties. As we reach the midpoint of Healthy Acadia’s Giving Health campaign, it feels like the perfect moment to say thank you.

So many of you took time to reflect and respond. Thank you! Your ideas, suggestions, and reminders point to what makes our region special and where we can grow together as a community.

Big Picture Highlights

Across five open-ended questions, several clear themes rose to the top:

A deep value for community and connection. People repeatedly lifted up neighbors, friendships, and a sense of looking out for one another as the best parts of living here. Many also named the natural beauty and rural character of Downeast Maine as a source of pride and grounding.

Regional resilience. Even when naming challenges, responses reflected perseverance, creativity, and hope. One person shared pride in living in a place where people care deeply about one another and believe the community can thrive with the right support.

Real challenges to daily well-being. Distance, limited access to services, financial strain, transportation, and time pressures were common barriers to living one’s “best life.” Rural living brings beauty, and it also brings real hurdles.

A desire for deeper connection and broader access. Many respondents asked for more ways to connect with others, more affordable and accessible services, and clearer pathways to community resources and activities.

Looking Ahead

We take your responses to heart as we look ahead. Your feedback will help inform our planning and partnerships as we work to strengthen access, connection, and well-being across the region. The themes you shared align closely with Healthy Acadia’s mission, and they help sharpen where our efforts can make the greatest difference.

As one participant noted, our communities have “so much heart and potential.” We agree! - And your voices help guide how we move forward, together.

Thank You for Sharing

We held a drawing amongst those who completed the survey. Congratulations to our winner, Jacquelyn Lowe!

Thank you to everyone who participated and trusted us with your thoughts!

P.S. We held a drawing amongst those who completed the survey. Congratulations to our winner, Jacquelyn Lowe, who was selected at random and also notified directly.

Stay tuned for future ways to stay engaged and keep the conversation going.

Together, we make health happen!