Movie Night and Community Conversation being held in each community.
Wilton, Rumford – The communities of Wilton and Rumford have been chosen to participate in Making Headway In Your Community, a joint community development program of GrowSmart Maine and the Maine Downtown Center at the Maine Development Foundation. These communities were selected for their demonstrated readiness to begin this process and the compatible timing of related community development efforts in the communities.
The 6-8 month community engagement program begins with the showing of the film, “Reviving Freedom Mill” and is followed by a second public meeting, the Community Conversation, in each community in April and May. The 30-minute film tells the story of Tony Grassi’s rehabilitation of an abandoned gristmill into a bustling community center with a restaurant and school that connects with rural neighbors. With this film as inspiration the attendees will consider what matters most in their communities and discuss successes already achieved and brainstorm for potential community projects that could be undertaken. The second step of Making Headway is a community conversation that will include presentations and voting on potential community projects that will receive $1000 in funding from Making Headway and be matched by the local community. Making Headway also provides all communities with training for volunteers, staff or community members to sharpen their skills, instincts and abilities and bring those back to the community.
The public (all ages) is invited to the movie night and the community conversation in any of the following venues and times. Light dinner will be served and there is no charge to attend.
Wed. April 27, 2016
Wilton Downtown Movie Night, Calzolaio Pasta Co.
248 Main St, Wilton, 6:00-8:00pm
Mon. May 16, 2016
Wilton Community Conversation, Calzolaio Pasta Co.
248 Main St, Wilton, 6:00-8:00pm
Mon. May 9, 2016
Rumford Movie Night, American Legion Post 24
184 Congress St, Rumford, 5:30-7:30pm
Mon. May 23, 2016
Rumford Community Conversation, American Legion Post 24
184 Congress St, Rumford, 5:30-7:30pm
“Making Headway in Your Community” is a series of three public meetings over a period of 6-8 months during which Community members identify what they value most in their towns. Small projects are funded with local match to grants to draw attention to good work and improve connection within the community and across Maine to information and inspiration. Makingheadway.me is a website designed for sharing these success stories and connecting with local, regional, statewide and even national organizations offering information and services to help communities in these efforts.
Partners for this project include the Town of Wilton, Community Concepts, Calzolaio Pasta Company, American Legion Post 24, Envision Rumford, Maine Downtown Center and GrowSmart Maine. The Elmina B Sewall Foundation has provided funding for Making Headway In Your Community.
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