We sit down with Caitlin Marshall, Communications Director, and Emily Baisden, Seed Center Director at Wild Seed Project. This organization promotes the restoration of native plant life in Maine. The Project offers in-person and virtual workshops, a number of helpful online resources for gardeners, educational resources for schools, and maintains an ethically sourced online seed store. Learn more at wildseedproject.net

We chat with Amy Whitmore, Director of Development and Communications of The Iris Network, and Lisa Rouelle, Director of the Iris Park Apartments. The Portland-based Iris Network is a statewide organization that provides programs, assistance and hardware for citizens with serious visual impairments and blindness. Part of The Iris Network’s mission is operating the Iris Park Apartments in Portland, which caters to and has programs benefitting Mainers with low vision and blindness. Find out more at theiris.org.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Marisa Paraschak Founder and President of the New England Breast Cancer Alliance.

Marisa learned there was little support for young women with the diagnosis, so she set about creating the network she wished was available when she was diagnosed. NEBCA, a Maine nonprofit founded in 2019 by breast cancer survivors, funds research to improve detection, treatment, and survival rates and connects and supports those dealing with breast cancer.

Marisa discusses the organization and shares information about their biggest fundraiser, Runway for Hope. Learn more at NewEnglandBreastCancerAlliance.org.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Donna Dwyer, CEO of the nonprofit My Place Teen Center. My Place Teen Center, with locations in Westbrook and Biddeford, helps teens to be fed, safe, and loved. They offer a number of programs that teach job skills, financial literacy, and leadership skills. To make a donation or to learn more, visit MyPlaceTeenCenter.org.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Angela Stone, Founder and Executive Director of Maine Needs. Maine Needs collects gently used items and disburses them throughout the state via a network of case workers and outreach folks.

Presently, Maine Needs is getting 200 requests every 3 days. The enormous team of volunteers helps to sort and pick items for those who make the requests.

To learn more or make a donation, please visit MaineNeeds.org.

Host Stella Mars speaks with author, speaker, and educator Dr. Ross Greene about his nonprofit organization, Lives In The Balance.

Lives in the Balance offers a wide array of training options and free resources on Dr. Ross Greene’s evidence-based Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model. These resources are for parents, teachers, and caregivers working with vulnerable children. Learn more at LivesInTheBalance.org

Host Stella Mars speaks with Hilary Schneider, Director of the Maine DHHS Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace. Director Schneider explains who is eligible for coverage and how to enroll. 
The Open Enrollment period is Nov 1-Dec 15 for coverage Jan 1.

CoverME.gov is Maine's official Marketplace where individuals and families can shop for and enroll in health and dental insurance. It is also the only place to apply for financial help to lower monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. In fact, 85% of people who shop for plans on CoverME.gov qualify for financial assistance.

Learn more at CoverMe.gov.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Alex Gramling, founder of Christmas Tree Santas, a national nonprofit based in Maine. In conjunction with nonprofit partners, Christmas Tree Santas provides fresh cut trees to low-income and military families. Learn more at ChristmasTreeSantas.org. 

Host Stella Mars speaks with Daniel Brennan, Director of Maine Housing. He shares details about Maine's home energy assistance program (HEAP). Additionally, Dan provides information about lead paint remediation and low-cost loans available for first-time homebuyers, first-generation homebuyers, and developers.

Learn more at MECAP.org (Maine Community Action Programs) or at MaineHousing.org.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Joe Minard, Executive Director of Gary's House in Portland; a home away from home for those who have family members in the hospital.Learn about the history of Gary's House, about their fundraisers, and about how you can help support Gary's House.Learn more at GarysHouse.org.

Fred Forsley from Shipyard Brewing joins Stella Mars to talk about his support of Gary's House through the Forsley Award. Fred also lifts up many other non-profit organizations and events that he and his businesses help support. Learn more at Shipyard.com