Emergency Preparedness
April 1-7 is National Public Health Week 2024.
Join Healthy Acadia, American Public Health Association (APHA), and community-serving organizations nationwide in celebrating the many public and private spheres working together to make individuals, families, communities, and our nation healthier, stronger, and more resilient. This year’s Public Health Week theme is, “Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.”
Healthy Acadia is committed to collaboration and partnership across all community sectors and throughout our service area, knowing that we do our best work by building trust, listening to one another, working together, and sharing resources, knowledge, and skills. We believe that all people must have access to resources and conditions that support their best health and well-being. We are committed to continuous learning, creating opportunities, and fostering environments that enable all people to thrive. We are dedicated to addressing health disparities and inequities both within our organization and across the communities we serve.
We firmly believe that we are all contributors to public health, and we're eager to hear what this means to you. What does your Healthy Acadia look like? Share your thoughts with us!
What is your Healthy Acadia?
Every day during Public Health Week, we’re sharing an inspiring story that shines a light on a community health program or initiative aligning with APHA’s theme of the day. Today’s theme is Emergency Preparedness.
“My Healthy Acadia exists as a resource for people who may have unexpected needs.”
Healthy Acadia’s Overnight Warming Center offers safe shelter for community members who are unhoused or who have been impacted by extreme weather. The Warming Center is open seven nights a week throughout the coldest months of the year and has also opened as an emergency shelter in instances of inclement weather.
The Center welcomes individuals and families who are unhoused in Hancock and Washington counties, on a first-come, first-served basis, as space allows. Coffee, drinks, and snacks are available, and a hot meal is served every evening.
Between mid-December through March 31, the Warming Center has provided 94 people with overnight shelter, with 2158 total/cumulative bed stays. This represents people of all ages, ranging from youth in their teens to folks in their 80’s, and each person comes with a very different story about what brings them to the Center.
One woman, who depends on supplemental oxygen, had a power outage as so many of us have experienced recently in our area due to storms with high winds. She was able to come into the Center and spend the night in a space that was warm and safe, enjoy a good hot meal, and - most importantly - where she could use her life-sustaining oxygen source.
One community member who was unhoused began using the Warming Center regularly last winter. At first, he would only come in at night and keep to himself. Then he slowly began utilizing daytime services at our INSPIRE Recovery & Community Center, which is co-located in the same space as our Overnight Warming Shelter. He participated in our daytime programming, including recovery coaching, navigation, and more, and eventually secured a job and permanent housing. He also purchased an e-bike for transportation.
The 2023-2024 Seasonal Warming Center is open nightly (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) from mid-December through April 30. For questions, or additional information about this program, please call 207-412-2288 or email warmingcenter@healthyacadia.org.
Thank you to St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, First Congregational Church of Ellsworth, Northern Light Health Maine Coast Hospital, and Ellsworth Pat’s Pizza, and the many community members who provided home-cooked meals for our guests during the 2023-2024 winter season.
Within a broader emergency framework, Healthy Acadia convenes a robust Downeast Housing Collaborative to respond to the challenges of housing insecurity and homelessness that our region is increasingly facing. Together, we are working to create long term solutions to our housing crisis.
Ensuring that our region has safe, accessible shelter for emergency situations is just one emergency preparedness priority of Healthy Acadia’s. To learn more and keep in touch ….
Do you have ideas for emergency preparedness strategies for our communities? Let us know! We also encourage you to check out our partners at the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency and Washington County Emergency Management Agency, as they are a great resource!
Emergency Preparedness
“Unexpected events such as power outages and natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes can happen without a moment’s notice. That is why being ready for emergencies is crucial. Emergency preparedness is exactly what it sounds like; it involves planning, having supplies on hand, and knowing how to stay safe during an emergency. Being ready for crises before they happen can not only protect you and your loved ones but also underserved communities where disasters can worsen inequities.” - American Public Health Association
Read American Public Health Association’s National Public Health Week 2024 post regarding Emergency Preparedness: In English, or/o En Español.
Let’s Build Healthier Communities Together!
We invite you to come together with us to build public health for everyone. You can make a difference by volunteering your time, making an in-kind or financial gift today, reaching out to talk over ideas, or considering a planned gift.
Donate online. Make a one-time gift, join our Sunrise Monthly Giving Circle, and/or donate in honor of a loved one.
Mail a check to Healthy Acadia, P.O. Box 1710, Ellsworth, ME 04605.
There are so many ways for you to get involved!
For more ways to give, click here or contact Shoshona Smith at Development@HealthyAcadia.org or (207) 667-7171 Ext. 210.