If you've always wanted to write but have no idea where to start, this course will demystify the process for you. You'll get a taste of the writing life, improve your writing skills, and develop new ways to stretch your creative muscles. This exciting, hands-on course for the creative writing novice is filled with challenging exercises, expert advice, and plenty of direct support and encouragement. As you work your way through the lessons, you'll develop your own short, creative fiction or nonfiction piece. Our emphasis in this course is on developing your skills through practice, so you'll spend more time writing than reading. You'll master important concepts by completing enjoyable writing exercises and assignments, and you'll discover a variety of strategies and techniques the pros use to develop characters, create a compelling point of view, build interest through dialogue, and add meaning to your stories.

To register, go to: http://www.ed2go.com/pvaec/online-courses/beginning-writers-workshop?tab=detail

Choose your start date:

1/18/2017

2/15/2017

3/15/2017

4/12/2017

5/17/2017

6/14/2017

7/12/2017

8/16/2017

This 4-hour orientation program prepares volunteers to serve as indirect care providers. "Indirect care" includes services such as cooking, picking up prescriptions, working in the office or library, fund raising, serving on the board or on a committee, but does not include direct interaction with clients or families. Upon completion, participants may choose to be mentored by an experienced Pine Tree Hospice direct care volunteer during visits with hospice clients and families for a maximum of 20 hours. Hospice 101 is offered as a class and also offered as an Independent Study. Certificates are awarded after completion. H101 Class to be scheduled. H101 Independent Study can be scheduled at any time. Optional mentor hours will be scheduled individually. For more information visit www.pinetreehospice.org. To register please call 564-4346.

73% of adults in the U.S. own a desktop or laptop computer, and 68% own a smartphone. 87% of all jobs today require digital literacy skills. 

This fall we will be trying something new with our computer class options. Have questions about your new laptop or device? Want to learn how to organize files and photos? Has social media got the best of you? Are you overwhelmed by the world of online job applications? Don’t even know where to begin? Schedule a ½ hour appointment with our technology instructor, Leah Gomes. Contact Leah to discuss your questions and what device(s) you are using, and she will schedule an appointment for you. Appointments are required. Schedule yours by calling Leah at 207-564-5883, or email LGomes@pvaec.org

Register for this class by calling Leah Gomes at 564-5883.

The Period of Purple Crying & Safe to Sleep are two National Initiatives focused on preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. During the 2 hour training you will receive researched information, materials and learn prevention strategies that address each initiative. November 4, 2017 February 17, 2018 8:00am-10:00am (Breakfast provided) Penquis 50 North St., Dover-Foxcroft For more information or to register please call Stephen Madera 974-2479 FREE

For professionals Protective Factors are conditions in families, communities and organizations that, when present, increase the health and well-being of children and families. Protective Factors/ Strengthening Maine Families 101 Training is for those who provide programs that support families. The training will offer opportunities to increase capacity to build protective factors that promote optimal development and prevent abuse and neglect. November 13, 2017 1:00pm-3:00pm (lunch provided) January 8, 2018 9:00am-11:00am (breakfast provided) Penquis 50 North St., Dover-Foxcroft For more information or to register please call: Stephen Madera 974-2479 FREE

After completing the Core Curriculum, this 14-hour program prepares volunteers to provide bereavement support to adults, children and families through the Pine Tree Hospice Evergreen Program. Bereavement Facilitators may choose to participate in structured group settings, which include the Nights of Service program for grieving children and families, the Lunch and Learn program for grieving adults; and an adult evening grief support group. Certificates are awarded after completion. Times and location to be scheduled. For more information visit www.pinetreehospice.org. To register please call 564-4346.