Jessica Fischer once felt intimidated to approach people she thought were more educated or experienced. Now she’s convinced she can help change her community.
Fischer, a Bancroft resident, is one of about 20 people who graduated Tuesday from the Aroostook Agency on Aging’s third civic academy in Presque Isle.
In rural Aroostook County, where more than a quarter of the population is 65 and older, sparse internet and distance often separate people from social contact, food, health care and legislators in Augusta. The agency started the six-week workshop series in 2022 to teach older residents how to speak up for their needs and bring positive changes to their communities. It’s the only such program offered among Maine’s agencies on aging.
This year, organizers opened the Aroostook Civic Academy to all adults because everyone should know how to advocate, said Joy Barresi Saucier, Agency on Aging executive director.
“It originally was to help older people advocate for things that are important to older people,” Barresi Saucier said after the session. “But we need people of all ages advocating. It’s about being able to find your voice and use your voice to make change for the betterment of the community.”
During the free series, participants discussed issues that affect older people, heard from municipal and government leaders, learned how to navigate the web for information, and practiced speaking and networking skills. As a final exercise, each person delivered a three-minute “elevator” speech about something important to them and a change they’d like to see in their community, she said.
Sometimes people think advocating means giving a big speech to a roomful of people, Barresi Saucier said. But everyone advocates for themselves, for instance, when they dispute an electric bill, support their children at school or even ask health-care questions.
Graduates of the two previous civic academies have used their newly acquired skills by going to town meetings, starting their own community meal programs, writing letters to the editor or even going to the Legislature in Augusta, she said.
The biggest lesson for Fischer was realizing that everyone has a voice. Earlier in the session, the homeschooling mother of four described herself as a “nobody,” referring to her unease when approaching more experienced people.
“The largest thing [I’ve learned] is that even though I’m not in government, I have a voice in it. And I don’t think a lot of people know that,” said Fischer. “We need more nobodies to speak up.”
Tuesday’s session was the culmination of everything she’s learned, Fischer said. She valued hearing what everyone was passionate about and how connected everyone really is.
Monique Stairs of Caribou, executive director of Speaking Up For Us, a group that helps people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, said she especially enjoyed learning about how County law enforcement collaborates.
“It is really eye opening to learn how interconnected everything is and how Aroostook County government works, and why it should matter to you as a citizen,” she said.
A panel of three County leaders shared how they have advocated for and made successful changes in their communities.
Suzanne Morneault of Eagle Lake said adversity became an opportunity for her family.
When daughter Mindy suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2010, the family faced the fact that her aspirations toward medical school were over. In 2013, they established All Things Become New, an advocacy and support group for those with brain injuries and their families. Their reach has extended to offering a community-wide Thanksgiving dinner.
“I said there’s no way God can’t take this and make something good out of it,” she said. “This is an amazing opportunity that our suffering gave us to help our community.”
Everyone can find their passion and learn to speak up for it, Morneault said.
“What explodes your heart?” she asked.
Lucy Richard of Presque Isle, longtime women’s health provider and SAD 1 school board member, recalled living with an abusive parent and later with a family when she was younger. She had applied to nursing school but had no money to attend. But one day friends presented her with a big stuffed frog and money for tuition funds.
That was the day she found her strength, she said. She later advocated for a women’s health center in Presque Isle, which was the forerunner of what is now Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital’s women’s health practice.
Her other passion is children, she said. She favors community service for high school students because it teaches them community.
Floyd Rockholt of Presque Isle, owner of Eagle Hill Stamps and Coins, recounted starting his business in 1982. Because his grandparents instilled in him the importance of giving back, he joined the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce and started a retail business group.
His passion project started about 30 years ago when local historian Dena Winslow suggested bringing three hot-air balloons to a citywide celebration. He was hooked, and began talking to everyone he could about expanding the effort.
The concept grew into the popular Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, which draws spectators and pilots from the U.S., Canada and even the United Kingdom.
Barresi Saucier encouraged the group to lead with their curiosity and find, as Morneault said, what explodes their hearts.
The fourth Aroostook Civic Academy will take place next spring.
