REM Initiatives
Community Initiatives Division
See what REM Community Initiatives are or have been part of REM. Giving up our Community Center spaces due to Pandemic-related lack of use, has ended many of those possibilities.
| Team 1 - Develop a Vibrant Economy | Our Community’s Top Priority |
| REM Rental spaces | Provide rental space for downtown events |
| YuleTide Festival |
A festival designed to bring people downtown to shop at Christmas |
| Lighting of the Lights | Lighting of downtown buildings to attract visitors and shoppers |
| YuleTide Village | A winter scene displayed in REM’s windows |
| Team 2 - Excel in Education | |
| Forum on early education |
Educate community on importance of early childhood education |
| Entrepreneur tour |
Tour of businesses of local Waterville women business owners by area high school sophomore girls |
| REM Lifelong Learning Center |
Similar to a senior college, combining the wisdom of our residents and those teaching at our local colleges with area citizens in need of human contact, information which will help keep them safe, mentally, and socially happy and content with all they need to age in place. |
| Youth Homelessness – Educating the Public |
Helped educate the public about the realities of youth homelessness; helped create space on 2nd floor of homeless shelter for youth; worked on establishing host homes for young children |
| Team 3 - Protect Human Potential | |
| Hope Captured |
Offering complimentary portrait sessions to Maine families that either have a young parent or child diagnosed with a life threatening or terminal illness or to families who lost all of their portraits in a house fire. |
| “It Takes a Village” |
Connecting and engaging the Mid-Maine community around quality-of-life issues |
| Kennebec Club |
A safe and healthy place for those seeking recovery from alcohol and opioid addiction. |
| PFLAG |
Education and support group for Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays |
| REM Community Chat |
A presentation by a local college student, REM Partner, or REM Initiative who then initiates a follow-up chat with attendees who have an interest in that subject and/or seek social connectedness. |
| - REM Partner Chat | A safe and healthy place for those seeking recovery from alcohol and opioid addiction. |
| - REM Initiative Chat |
Education and support group for Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays |
| Ripple Effect |
Supporting self-sustainable agricultural and educational endeavors of independent orphanages in Sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Tourmaline Singers |
Bring music to people who are ill or dying |
| Women’s Initiative |
Safe place for women to gather for more than 10 years. |
| Team 4 - Promote the Arts and Entertainment | |
| ACAT Theatre |
Community theatre group |
| Belfast Stagehouse |
Bringing quality arts to Belfast |
| REM Crafting Klatch |
Crafting group making things for use at REM events using Pinterest and the internet to learn and experiment. |
| REM Craft Fair |
Retaining the old Colby Craft Fair for artists and community |
| REM Drum Circle |
Monthly community drumming circle in REM Forum |
| Waterville Area Art Society |
Stimulate the awareness of the visual arts in the Waterville area, exchange ideas, encourage beginners, and gear young art students toward the correct path for a primary or secondary career in or lifetime enjoyment of art. |
| Team 5 - Beautify the Environment | |
| Amphitheatre on the Riverfront |
For two years convened community and invited Colby in leadership roles of the planning process. |
| Team 6 - Empower Young People | |
| Free to Be Me |
An etiquette and social graces training program for adolescents |
| Lego Mania |
A Lego building festival in REM Forum for 6– 12 year olds, planned and managed by young people |
| REM Delta Prime Robotics | A competition robotics team for area youth. |
| Sunrise Creative Youth Theatre | Produce original theater with the goal of showcasing the talents and ideas of their members. |
| Team 7 - Build Community | |
| Building a Community Center | REM will involve the entire regional community in the creation of a community center in our Waterville service center. |
| Franco American Heritage Society |
Celebrating the heritage of a large segment of our community |
| Gingerbread Mania |
An arts and crafts experience for young children |
| Local Voices |
REM’s community newspaper giving voice to community |
| Mrs. Santa’s Workshop | A celebration of the art of giving for young children the day Santa comes to town |
| REM Awards |
REM Partners celebrate volunteerism in Waterville Opera House |
| REMnet Blast |
Every Tuesday send an email blast sharing information about Local community events for our REM Partner organizations. |
| REM Community Directory |
The Directory features REM Partner organizations, their work and their REM Award honorees. |
| REM Partners |
Area nonprofits networking/collaborating |
| REM Volunteer Fair | Providing opportunities for volunteers to learn about volunteer possibilities and join organizations seeking help. |
| Talk to the Animals |
An opportunity for city kids to meet animals up close, learn about their care and the products they bring to us |
| Team 8 - Expand Fitness & Recreation | |
| Joyful You |
Women exploring life to discover what, besides food, brings them joy. |
| Kennebec Messalonskee Trails | A more than 45 mile system of trails born in REM and now a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and REM Partner. |