Communities for Children & Youth invites you to join our annual cluster meeting to learn about activities and local initiatives sponsored by several local Communities for Children & Youth, including Ellsworth, Greater MDI , Bucksport, Blue Hill Peninsula, and MSAD #63. This meeting will be held at 2:00 to 4:00pm on May 13, 2004, at the Ellsworth City Hall, One City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth.

The annual cluster conversation is an opportunity for people involved with Communities for Children and Youth initiative to meet for an informal dialogue with others from nearby partner communities as well as with staff from the C4CY State Office. Our featured topic will be "Building Caring Communities". All community members are welcome to participate in this meeting.

This is a time to make connections, to share resources, and to support one another in our work surrounding Communities for Children & Youth and positive youth development. Please bring any resources that you would be willing to share, as well as questions, suggestions and ideas. Please note that the conversation takes place in the afternoon so that both youth and adults are able to participate. As refreshments will be served, please contact Peg Wood at 287-4493, fax 287-4375 or email: Peg.Wood@maine.gov to register (free) your intention to attend.

Communities for Children & Youth initiatives locally represent a statewide approach to solving the problems that children face in Maine by bringing together local community leadership and young people to increase the social assets available to improve educational attainment and achievement. Members of all Communities for Children seek to maintain the 5 promises of America's Promise: 1) An ongoing relationship with a caring adult, 2) safe place, 3) healthy start, 4) marketable skills, and 5) opportunities to give back through community service through programs and local initiatives. For additional information on this Maine initiative, log on to www.state.me.us/cfc or our local Ellsworth Area Communities for Children website at www.downeasthealth.org.

Please confirm your attendance, and if you desire additional information concerning this meeting, please call Candy Eaton at 667-5304 ext 261, or email children@downeasthealth.org.