Pine Tree Society

Pine Tree Society Blog

A message from our President and CEO, October 28th, 2021

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Wouldn’t life be different if we all had an ‘Easy Button”?   

I was at our Early Learning Center earlier this week and I had the opportunity to visit with our students and teachers.  The covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on us all – and nowhere do we see that more than with our youngest clients. 

Our students come to us with significant disabilities, but we are seeing an even higher level of need.  If you think about it, our three to six-year-old students have lived a significant portion of their lives through a pandemic – and it has taken a toll.  They are struggling with the very basics of daily living skills like eating.  They are coming to us with a higher level of fear and anxiety.  Their families are struggling.  They are lacking the basics of relationship building and friendship making.  All of these challenges make early intervention more important than ever.      

The work we do each day is challenging.  As our Early Learning Center Director told me: “We don’t have an Easy Button. This isn’t easy.”   

She’s right.  It isn’t easy.  But it is critically important, and it takes us all.  We couldn’t do it without you.  Whether it is our work to expand Pine Tree Camp to offer year-round programming or transitioning our adult clients back to in-person services safely, you play a critical role.

The funding Pine Tree Society receives through reimbursement for services only covers a portion of our costs.  Families caring for loved ones with disabilities have fewer and fewer resources to turn for help.

We need your help to continue to fulfill the promise of our mission…a mission that has been in place for 85 years.   

Your donation will be put to work immediately to impact the lives of Maine children and adults with disabilities and their families through critical programs.  We cannot do it without you.  Together, we can transform the lives of Maine children and adults with disabilities and their families.  Thank you.    

 

Sincerely,

Noel Sullivan
President and CEO 

 

P.S.  For so many families, Pine Tree Society is their lifeline.  Thousands of Maine children and their families are counting on us.  They need our help now.  Please send in your gift today and it will go right to use to help Maine people who need it. We thank you for your continued support.

New barrier-free playground opens at Early Learning Center

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“I’m a race car driver!” shouted one little boy as he explored the features of the Early Learning Center’s new playground.

“He hopped into the high back harness swing because he thought it looked like a really cool race car versus being designed to support a child with physical disabilities,” said Karen McClure-Richard, Director of Pine Tree Society’s preschool for children with special needs based in Auburn.

The new playground features equipment sized and rated for ages two to six and designed to help kids grow, develop and build confidence.

“The entire playground has been renovated and designed to spark imagination and encourage freedom to try new things. A lot of our kiddos live in apartment buildings with no access to the outdoors,” Karen said. “Their only time outside is when they’re with us and the playground is a safe space where they can feel free to run, climb, explore, take risks, get fresh air and exercise.”

The Early Learning Center’s new accessible playground offers a variety of climbing structures, swings and other features for students to build skills and gain confidence.

The swing set has toddler swings, belt swings and a high back harness swing for kids who are learning to hold themselves up. The teeter totter seats are styled like saddles with stirrups and a handle, making it safe for kids of all abilities. The climbing structure has three slides, and includes a climbing wall, a tunnel, steps and a steering wheel providing children with the chance to work on reciprocal movement as they play.

“Reciprocal movement is important because our brain needs to work left-to-right when reading,” Karen explained. “In order for kids to learn that skill, they need to be able to shift focus from one side of their body to the other. For example, many kids use their right hand when something is on theirright side, then shift to their left hand for their left side. To develop their brain for reading and writing, we need to teach kids how to cross their body to get things versus switching hands. It’s really all connected.”

The new balance beam is placed just six inches off the ground. When kids learn to hold their balance, it helps build core strength. It also helps them gain confidence and trust.

“The balance beam is purposefully low to the ground so they will try and take that risk,” Karen said. “Taking small risks helps build confidence and gives kids a chance to learn from mistakes and problem solve.”

The playground also gives students the chance to practice taking turns and being patient, which helps with social skills as well as emotional development and regulation.

In addition to adding new equipment and doubling the space in size, new ADA compliant mulch provides a soft surface beneath the play sets and a grassy area brings a natural setting with a clear view to the brook behind the building. The grassy area has a natural wood seating area and will become home to a sand box, mud kitchen, water table and play house.

“For being in the middle of the city, we are really providing a true nature experience. The brook is gorgeous and we see herons, ducks and lots of wildlife. It’s a really sweet little spot where we can watch the seasons change,” said Karen. “We’re extending the classroom outdoors as much as possible by holding snack time, doing art projects and bringing our books outside.”

This fall, kids will rake leaves and, in the winter, they’ll snowshoe, sled and build snow castles. “Our mud kitchen will be a snow kitchen for the winter,” concluded Karen. “Maybe that area becomes a pizza store or a flower shop. It can be whatever we want it to be.”

Pine Tree Camp continues to expand opportunities for campers, families

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“The personal successes we saw this summer were amazing,” said Dawn Willard-Robinson, Director of Pine Tree Camp, of the 2021 summer season.

While Covid-19 continued to present challenges, Pine Tree Camp stayed the course offering a full slate of programming to get campers and their families engaged, active and outdoors.

“I had an unbelievable experience with an adult camper in a wheelchair who wanted to ride an adaptive hand bicycle,” she said. “She had no core strength and a lot of muscle weakness so we quickly adapted and used a Hoyer lift to safely transfer her from her chair to the bike. Once we had her securely on the bike, she took right off. I was shocked to see her move so swiftly. When she got back from her ride, her posture and demeanor was completely changed. It was incredible to see how proud she was. She talked about it for the rest of the day.”

Pine Tree Camp welcomed hundreds of campers and their families to North Pond over the course of the summer. Biking and kayaking were among two of the most popular activities.

This woman’s courage to try something new was life-changing not just for herself, but for another camper she motivated to get out of her comfort zone and try biking as well.

“One of the other campers was interested in the bikes, but was afraid to try. Once she saw the other woman be so successful, she decided she could do it too. It was inspiring,” Dawn recalled.

Trying new things and taking risks in an inclusive setting helps people gain confidence in their daily lives to do things they didn’t think they could do.

“Recreational experiences give people confidence in what they’re able to do and try,” Dawn said. “At Pine Tree Camp, people attempt something they might not have thought about before. Through having a new experience, they gain confidence that propels them to go out and try something else at home. You gain skills when you try things out in a safe environment and then take that confidence and translate it into what you can do in your everyday life.”

For the second year in a row, it wasn’t just campers who experienced the magic of Pine Tree Camp, it was their families as well. Pine Tree Camp Adventure Day Pass and Family Camp welcomed families to come together for a day or to stay overnight in a cabin.

Family Camp launched this summer and includes a cabin, meals and participation in specially developed day and evening programs.

“Just like that great family vacation you talk about for your whole lives, Pine Tree Camp is now that same kind of shared experience for families,” Dawn continued. “It was an amazing opportunity for families to come together to relax and recreate safely outside. We saw really cool things happen.”

Pine Tree Camp’s 2021 summer programming was designed to not only impact campers but also their families during a particularly challenging time.

Kristine and her son, Shane, were among the very first campers to stay overnight.

“I’ll never forget it,” Kristine said. “We had our own cabin right next to the waterfront and because it was a small group of people staying overnight, we got to spend time together and also hang out with other families.”

Shane is 16 years old and has been coming to Pine Tree Camp since he was seven.

“As a parent it was good to see what he experiences at camp,” Kristine continued. “The fifirst night at the campfifire they sang songs and Shane wanted to lead the group. He was comfortable enough to just get up there and do it. I didn’t even realize he knew all those songs. It was nice to see him take a leadership role. The whole weekend, he wasn’t shy or quiet or watching his step like he normally does. I was able to see that. It was such a gift. He’s so comfortable at Pine Tree Camp.”

Next summer, when Shane comes to Pine Tree Camp for a week by himself, his mom will know what to ask about when he gets home because she saw what he experiences.

“A lot of times parents can see the growth in their child when they get home but they don’t know what to ask about,” said Dawn. “Now they know. They saw what happened and can ask ‘Did you catch a fish?’ or ‘What was your favorite song?’”

Parents were also able to connect with other parents, share information, ask questions and just relax and have a good time. “This fall and winter campers and families will continue to explore and try new things together,” Dawn concluded.

“Not only will they have fun, but they will continue to form stronger bonds with their community and, through exploring and trying new things, enhance motor development and curiosity; two critical pieces to help offset learning loss their child might be experiencing at school. Trying new things is the beauty of Pine Tree Camp.”

Clients, staff thrilled to safely transition to in-person programming

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For the first 16 months of the pan- demic, Pine Tree Society’s Community Support kept clients active, engaged and connected to each other virtually through Zoom.

“For two hours a day, we created a safe space for everyone to talk about what was going on in their lives, to laugh and have fun with friends and participate in many of the activities we normally do together from the safety of home,” said Shelley Zielinski, Director of Adult Support Services at Pine Tree Society.

Connecting virtually, staff and clients got to know each other on a much more personal level through seeing each other’s pets, kitchens and neighborhoods as they shared interests, cooked and exercised together each day.

“It strengthened relationships,” Shelley continued. “It was a place where we could have real time conversations. People were able to maintain their friendships and when we returned to in-person this August, we all already knew what was going on in each other’s lives. It was like we’d never left because there wasn’t a year and a half gap.”

Being together via Zoom each day also gave a level of comfort to guardians and home providers that Pine Tree Society shared a unified goal to ensurepeople didn’t lose contact and remained connected and engaged.

Community Support clients and staff recently spent a day exploring at Pine Tree Camp experiencing the restorative benefits of nature after months of virtual programming.

It pushed all of us to get out of our comfort zones and try new things,” Shelley said. “It pushed the envelope around what all of us thought was possible. For example, we had people who were working on budgeting so we created budgets together on the screen and talked through the scenarios that could happen, such as what if you spend more money than you have. It was rewarding to see real growth in money skills from week to week.”

After more than 6,000 hours of virtual programming, the Community Support participants and staff came back together in-person in August.

“For people new to our program, instead of being a stranger, they had friends already,” Shelley recalled. “They walked in the room and said ‘Oh hey, I saw you on Zoom!’ Zoom gave them an introduction to peers and the chance to start friendships and get to know staff.”

Although the majority of people were able to come back together in-person, for those who were not, Shelley and her team coordinated a special Zoom meeting shared on the screen in the program space so those who were there could say hello to those who were not and catch up.

“It’s been great getting back into the routine of seeing each other in-person again,” Shelley concluded. “There’s so much value in being able to be in the same space. We all really enjoy spending time together and people were ready.”

Learn more about the program and how you or a loved one can register at this link.

 

Artist Feature: Marieluise Hutchinson

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“I remember Christmas like it was yesterday,” said artist Marieluise Hutchinson. She grew up in a family that cut down their own Christmas tree each year.  “I remember going out in the woods to get holly and evergreens to make wreaths and how special it felt to cut down our own Christmas tree. I can just smell it and feel the pitch on my hands and how there was so much excitement as we waited for the cold branches to drop down so we could decorate it.” 

Her painting “The Perfect Tree” brings a captivating scene featuring the Maine tradition of finding and bringing home the perfect tree.  Based on a favorite setting in Owls Head, firelight flickers through the farmhouse windows as a man pulls a newly cut Christmas tree home across a blanket of freshly fallen snow.

Hutchinson is drawn to New England architecture and one day when she was looking for subject matter to paint, the connected farmhouse and barn in Owls Head caught her eye. She loves rural fields and farmlands and her winter-themed paintings evoke the feeling of the chilling snap that comes with colder days, or the solitude that follows in the wake of a New England snowfall.   

 

“My style and images of rural New England has hit a nostalgic chord,” said Hutchinson. “I’m very happy to use my work to help to others. It’s something I love doing. I’m proud to paint what I love to benefit worthy causes.”  

Hutchinson summers in Cushing and spent her childhood in a bucolic 1820’s homestead in Hanover, Massachusetts.  She is represented by the Bayview Gallery in Brunswick.  She is a Copley Master at the Copley Society of Boston, a Master Artist at the Cape Cod Art Center and a member of the Cape Cod Museum of Art.  She is also in the permanent collection at the Cahoon Museum of American Art and the Cape Cod Museum of Art.  

Sending (and receiving) holiday cards is more meaningful than ever. It’s another way to stay connected to friends and family. Sharing those wishes with Pine Tree Society cards adds even more – with each card purchased, you will transform lives. 

Holiday cards can be ordered online or by calling 207-443-3341.

Meet Danielle Morrill

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This September, Danielle Morrill joined Pine Tree Society as a Speech Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow after having the opportunity to shadow in our Speech/Language and Assistive Technology Services Department.

“The moment I started shadowing I knew this is what I wanted to do,” she said.

Danielle discovered at a young age that she had an interest in communication.

“I played softball in middle school and our bat girl was a young lady who used a device to communicate with.”

Danielle quickly saw how technology helped her to accomplish connection. Danielle looks back on how she was the only person on the team who took the time to talk with her and how the augmentative device made that friendship possible.

“I was hooked! Ever since then, I wanted to work with people with disabilities and help them communicate with others.”

Danielle is particularly motivated by using her clients’ specific interests to help them achieve their goals. For her, getting to know someone is the key to successful communication.

“When you discover what a person is interested in, it becomes easier to help and supply them with the communication tools they need to achieve success.”

Danielle earned her Master of Art, Speech-Language Pathology at The University of Maine in Orono and a Bachelor of Art, Communication Sciences and Disorders Minor; Rehabilitation Studies from Springfield College. She holds an ASHA-certified temporary SLP license as she concludes her fellowship year at Pine Tree Society. In her free time, she loves to cook with her family, drawing on the authentic Italian and French recipes of her grandparents.

Our experienced speech language pathologists provide a full range of speech, language and assistive technology services for children and adults with disabilities to support communication, learning and employment. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Kristin Hayward at 207-386-5930 or khayward@pinetreesociety.org or visit our website.

Share the enduring spirit of Maine this holiday season

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Pine Tree Society’s 2021 holiday cards feature beautiful paintings by two celebrated Maine artists: Marieluise Hutchinson and Richard Hasenfus.

Hutchinson is well known for her signature paintings of rural New England. Hasenfus, who passed away in 2019, will always be remembered through his art and the unique way he captured Maine’s rockbound coast.

The Perfect Tree: Marieluise Hutchinson brings us a captivating painting featuring the Maine tradition of finding and bringing home the perfect tree. Based on a favorite setting in Owls Head, Maine, this scene features a farmhouse with firelight flickering through the windows, and a traditional white clapboard barn with a simple wreath adorning the door. A figure, replete with a heavy coat, boots, mittens and a muffler pulls this freshly cut Christmas tree home across a blanket of fresh snow.

Schooner in the Harbor: The rugged nature of the people of Maine shines through in this painting by Richard Hasenfus. Cold, wind and waves will not stop this sailor from delivering a Christmas tree to the keepers of this coastal island lighthouse. The crew of the tall ship watches as the sailor makes this special delivery.

In the 1960s, Pine Tree Society staff had the idea that a Maine-themed holiday card could be the perfect fundraiser. More than fifty years later, the tradition is still going strong and holiday card sales have raised over $3 million dollars. One hundred percent of proceeds support Pine Tree Society’s programs and help Maine people with disabilities lead richer, more socially connected lives.

Holiday cards can be ordered online or by calling 207-443-3341.

 

Pine Tree Society’s 2021 Labor Day Sweepstakes Winner

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Mr. and Mrs. Roger G. Royer, Harpswell, Maine! The Royers won the September 2021 Labor Day Sweeps drawing at Pine Tree Society.

Pine Tree Society Sweepstakes raise money to help Pine Tree Society transform lives. For information about the sweepstakes, call us at 207-443-3341.

Don’t go it alone: Case managers provide a smooth transition back to the classroom for your child

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Transitioning back to school this year is a big adjustment for families, students and teachers.  The school day feels different for everyone and even more so for students with disabilities.  Parents and students with special needs don’t need to go it alone.  The transition back to in-person learning doesn’t have to be stressful.  Pine Tree Society’s Case Management team is here to help and come up with solutions.   

“Many parents are nervous about sending their child back to school because there are so many unknowns,” said Mike Bell, team leader of Children’s Case Management at Pine Tree Society. “It’s hard because people don’t quite know what to expect. As Case Managers, we work through those worries together.  We serve as a go-between and talk with the child’s school and figure out what is going to be different this year, then work with the family to explain what the school day is going to look like, determine how to best accommodate their child’s unique needs and make sure everyone is on the same page and has what they need to be successful.”  

Case Managers are the bridge between all aspects of the child’s life; coordinating smooth communication between providers, educators and family members.  They also link families to resources they need and provide consistent follow up to be sure every detail is followed through and that all the child’s and family’s needs are met.  

“We are here to help take the weight off and help parents figure out what services and resources best fit their needs,” Mike continued. “Due to the pandemic, so many services have closed down or have had dramatic staffing challenges.  There are fewer therapists and providers of home and community supports at a time when families need them the most.  Our purpose is to make sure kids are getting everything they need, no matter what. Our ultimate goal is the child’s progress and development.” 

Contact Mike Bell today to learn more about how you can get started with a case manager and how Pine Tree Society’s Children’s Case Management Program can help connect you with the services and resources you need for your child.  

Call Mike at (207) 386-5965 or via email mbell@pinetreesociety.org or complete this form and we will get back to you.

To be eligible for Pine Tree Society’s case management services, the child must be 0-21 years of age and be enrolled in Katie Beckett/MaineCare. Private pay is also an option.  Instructions for Katie Beckett enrollment and a full list of diagnosis are available on the Pine Tree Society website at this link.