NORWAY, ME — Stephens Memorial Hospital recently awarded grants totaling $22,925 to four local non-profit organizations in the communities we serve. The Stephens Grant program supports local non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations to promote and implement sustainable initiatives focused on health and wellness in the Stephens Memorial Hospital service area.

The purpose of Camp Susan Curtis in Stoneham is to advance the well-being of economically disadvantaged Maine children and teens, enabling them to thrive meaningfully and contribute to their communities.

Stephens is pleased to award $10,500 to provide the opportunity for children from the Oxford Hills area to attend for two weeks of skill and character development, and participate in healthy outdoor activities, which have been proven to help children and teens engage positively in schools and communities.

The Maine Dragon Boat Club (MDBC) fosters compassion, a sense of community, a physical challenge, and competition in the state of Maine through the sport of dragon boating. They hope to build strong communities by promoting fitness, teamwork, and leadership among youth, adults, and seniors of all backgrounds by offering free clinics and practices to community members.

Benefits from the Dragon Boat include physical and psychological. The Maine Dragon Boat Club (MDBC) received a grant of $5,000 to help fund the cost of yearly expenses, easing financial pressure and allowing the club to offer more programs for different community groups.

The Greater Lovell Land Trust serves the towns of Stow, Stoneham, Sweden, and Lovell in Oxford County originally focusing on protecting land around Kezar Lake but has since expanded its work to include protecting and stewarding land in the Kezar Lake, Kezar River, and Cold River watersheds. While not all of their preserves have trails, they do maintain an approximately 20-mile trail network, with some sections being open to ATVs and snowmobiles through collaborations with local clubs.

In addition to conservation work, GLLT has a strong public education program. The Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) was granted $2,500 to help fund their project aimed to convert the existing 0.25-mile long Storybook Trail at GLLT’s Kezar River Reserve in Lovell from a conventional hiking trail to an ‘accessible trail.’

Safe Voices has been at the forefront of the domestic violence movement in Maine for more than 40 years. Safe Voices in south Paris aims to meet the critical need for emergency and support services to survivors of domestic violence, promote ways to foster healthy relationships and educate communities on the seriousness and prevalence of this crime.

Safe Voices will use the $4,925 they were awarded to help fund their 24-Hour Helpline Advocacy & Support, increasing safety and stability as well as health and well-being for survivors of domestic abuse and violence, sex trafficking, and sexual exploitation in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties.

Stephens Memorial Hospital is committed to providing healthcare services and education to the communities we serve. We are proud to be a part of the MaineHealth system, Maine’s largest integrated health system of leading high-quality providers and other healthcare organizations, working together to make our communities the healthiest in America.