PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook Band of Micmacs will host a family engagement night on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at their office on 7 Northern Rd. in Presque Isle.
The event is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. and there is no cost to attend.
This is the second such event; the first was in April and another will take place Thursday, August 1. The evenings are designed to raise awareness for several societal issues facing community youth.
Thursday’s event will also be the summer food program kickoff for the Presque Isle Boys and Girls Club and the Micmac Youth Program. These entities provide free meals to children during the summer. Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations to provide free meals to children when school is out for summer. Any child under 18 may come and eat, whether they are a member or not.
“There will be a lot of hands-on activities for the family,” said Nichole Francis, CEO of the Presque Isle Boys and Girls Club. All children in the local community between the ages of 5 and 18 and their families are welcome.
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will be on hand with a healthy cooking demonstration. “This will be an opportunity for families to learn what to buy and how to prepare healthy foods,” said Francis. “This is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for most people. They want to eat right but they don’t necessarily know what to eat and what not to eat so having the University there to help will be very valuable.”
In addition, representatives from the TRAIL program will present information on diabetes prevention and the Indian Health Services partner will have activities related to physical fitness and ways to stem childhood obesity.
“Our goal is that when school is out, no kids are unsafe or unguided. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to serving as the lead voice, advocate and resource for America’s youth,” said Francis. “We seek to ensure that all kids, especially those who need us most, have a positive and enriching experience when the school bell rings to put them on the path to success.”
The Aroostook Medical Center is sponsoring the family night.
“TAMC is proud to sponsor this event,” said Jamie Guerrette, community health specialist at the hospital. “We are committed to making an impact in four key areas that are affecting the health of our community, and one of those areas is childhood obesity. Anytime we can be a part of something that encourages physical fitness, particularly in children, and raises awareness, we are happy to be a part it. We’re bringing Ted E. Bear, and we will have giveaways. It will be both educational and a ton of fun.”
While some of the things being covered have a serious tone, the event is designed to be an engaging and fun learning experience. Francis said, “We have seen a significant rise in drug use in Aroostook County, and it can be quite scary for both young children and parents.”
Shaina Hood, Boys and Girls Club of Presque Isle Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Coordinator, will talk about the drug problem and how families can start discussions about it.
“A lot of times the problems that we’ll be covering are all interrelated, so the aim is to shed some light and discuss them as families but in an open and fun kind of atmosphere,” Hood said.
