Pine Tree Camp’s Autism Family Weekend from  May 31 - June  2  in Rome, Maine  offers a fun-filled weekend for the whole family to get away and enjoy time together. Children with Autism will benefit from programming with low anxiety social experiences that are positive and supported by Pine Tree Society staff.

Each family will have time  to participate in traditional, barrier free activities and in small peer group programming designed to meet the needs of individual family members. Parents can participate in training workshops that offer opportunity to gain new skills and create supportive networks. Siblings can meet new friends and  participate in various camp activities and the Sibshop programming.  Call  443-3341  or visit Pine Tree Society  for application and more information.

VolunteerMaine.org has been updated to direct individuals who would like to help victims of the recent Lewiston fires to donate cash. Thanks to the United Way of Androscoggin, donations posted on Volunteer.Maine.org will be directed to a special fund to benefit the victims of the recent fires.

If you do want to help, donating cash is what is needed most. Visit  Support Lewiston Fire Relief  for more information on how you can help.

Rosscare, an agency  in Bangor providing seniors with services for a healthy life, has funding available to assist seniors and disabled community members who may need a personal  emergency response service.  LiveSAFE provides help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and allows people to live independently.

Sponsorship funding provides $10 a month reducing the subscriber fee to $22. Community members interested in applying for LiveSAFE can call Rosscare Live SAFE at 973-7094 or visit Rosscare to complete an application and learn about the eligibility guidelines. Rosscare will be accepting applications until the funds are no longer available.

Eligible Maine seniors will once again be able to get $50 worth of  free, fresh produce  from local Maine farms for a core 8 week period during the growing season. Participating Maine farmers offer a variety of methods for providing produce to seniors. Eligible produce includes fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Seniors pick up their produce at a specific farmers’ market or at their farm or farm stand. Some farmers offer delivery to seniors at their homes or housing sites. To qualify for a Senior FarmShare, a participant must be a Maine resident, at least 60 years of age, and meet the 2012 income guidelines ($20,665/individual; $27,991/two-person household). Seniors can contact the Area Agency on Aging at 877-353-3771 to find a participating farmer or visit Maine Senior FarmShare Program .  Seniors are encouraged  to sign up as soon as possible.

Maine’s renters  can now search for healthy homes through a lead-safe property search feature on the state’s leading online housing website. The feature will make it easier for Mainers to protect themselves and their families from the harms of lead-based paint, prevalent in properties built before 1978.

 The Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s lead-safety level addition to www.MaineHousingSearch.org gives renters the ability to find lead-based paint free, safe and maintained property listings.

MaineHousingSearch.org  is a free service for renters and landlords that was launched in 2009 by the Maine State Housing Authority and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to provide a one-stop source to share and search for rental properties statewide.

 Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a Call Specialist for further information on MaineHousingSearch.org.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is the only entity in the state that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System. As a trusted resource for almost 100 years, UMaine Extension is a leader in the development of safe, nutritious and delicious Maine food.

 Visit UMExtension to find out more about the following:

• Agriculture
• Business and Community
• Food and Health including Eat Well Nutrition Program
• Gardening and Horticulture
• Home, Family and Youth including 4-H and 4-H Camps and Learning Centers
• Natural Resources
• Insects Pests, Plant Diseases, and Pesticide Safety
• Safety and Preparedness
• Volunteer Opportunities

My Maine Connection is an online connection to the Food Supplement Program,  Medical Assistance, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and/or Child Care. A screening tool helps you find out if you are eligible. The website also has an online application to apply for these programs.

Apply from home, libraries or any other location with internet access. My Maine Connection provides another option to apply for these benefits. You still have the option of going to your local DHHS office to get help if you want. If  you are having any problems, you can contact DHHS at 1-855-797-4357 Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or email mmchelp.dhhs@maine.org.

2-1-1 Maine is a comprehensive statewide directory of over 8,000 health and human services available in Maine. The toll free 2-1-1 hotline connects callers to trained call specialists who can help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Finding the answers to health and human services questions and locating resources is as quick and easy as dialing 2-1-1 or visiting www.211maine.org