Good causes in need of volunteers

Matthew J. Irwin, Special to The County
10 years ago

Good causes in need of volunteers

IN THE CITY

    Apparently there is a cause to celebrate for each and every day of the year. There are so many that it’s often times very easy to tune them out. For instance, did you know that April 4th is “National Walk Around Things Day” or April 7th is “National No Housework Day” and April 14th is “National Ex-Spouse Day!” While I am certain these issues are important to someone (you should see the entire list at nationaldaycalendar.com), a lot of this nonsense serves to diminish the important issues celebrated annually.

As for April, there are two issues of significance worthy of remembrance all year long that I would like to highlight — Sexual Assault Awareness and Autism Awareness. Both are obviously unrelated but share the common goal of increasing outreach to those impacted by these circumstances as well as those interested in getting involved.
Sexual violence advocates and their organizations chronically face difficulties with outreach and community engagement. They work tirelessly to help survivors and generate awareness within the community; those in Aroostook County are no different, they work very hard. When you think about it, though, how many people are comfortable enough to sit at a fund-raising dinner or auction and hear presentations from a survivor who has been brutally raped or a child who has been repeatedly molested? Finding that proper forum and special person who is willing and able to discuss sexual assault in an impactful way and which promulgates community activism and financial support is a tough challenge. Sexual violence is a scourge worthy of all our efforts and support to eliminate.
Advocates for those impacted by autism have a different story to tell, particularly here in The County. While funding and research could always be improved upon, outreach in the region and across the country has had some wonderful successes. The past couple of years has brought on training opportunities for law enforcement, social service organizations and the community at-large.
Locally, I’ve had the great pleasure to hear about the Aroostook Autism Support Group and attend some of the training they’ve brought to Presque Isle. They are a grass roots organization who have brought families, case managers, educators, and many more together who have one thing in common … love for that special person in their lives. When these individuals come together to discuss their trials and triumphs, opportunities and outreach, everyone wins.
Times have changed and the hard work of advocates, researchers, and of course parents have made such a difference. Now, so many of our loved ones with autism are not only able to find success in various forms of communication that improve daily life and independence, they are able to live in a community that is continually growing and supporting the uniqueness of each and every individual on the autism spectrum.
If you’re in the market to get involved and offer your time to help with a worthwhile cause or find a home for your financial support, please consider these two possibilities — Aroostook Autism Support Group (aasgmaine@hotmail.com) and AMHC Sexual Assault Services (24/7 Support Line 1-800-871-7741).
    Chief Matthew J. Irwin of the Presque Isle Police Department can be reached at 764-2535 or via email at mirwin@presqueisleme.us.