After working at Spurwink with youth in residential treatment since 1977, I’ve got some thoughts about what works. I have known hundreds of kids who have passed through our residential…
The lightning flashed and lit up the coffee cup sitting on the arm of my Adirondack chair as I sat in my front yard watching the early spring storm blow…
In the mental health/substance abuse field we often refer to youth and adults affected by a family member’s drinking or drugging as “Affected Others.” As we know, family members do…
On June 16, 2015 the City of Lewiston celebrated World Refugee Day, a global observance held in different cities, states and nations worldwide. I have been fortunate in my role at…
Being a mental health nurse was not my original career choice. I wanted to be a ballerina. As a nurse herself, my mother convinced me that at a minimum I…
The Cumberland County Children’s Advocacy Center (CCCAC), a partnership between professionals that investigates allegations of abuse, opened June 8, 2015 at the Spurwink Child Abuse Program at Bishop Street in…
Last Friday, Spurwink foster families and foster youth took advantage of free tickets to the Sea Dogs baseball game against the Reading Fightin’ Phils. It was a sunny spring evening, and…
Too often in our society we are reduced to our mental illness. I am bipolar, he is schizophrenic. She is the depressive type. Can you imagine if instead we referred…
Foster Care. I’ve wondered what people think of when they hear those words. Sympathy for the youth who are fostered? Admiration for the adults who choose to foster parent? The…
Spring has finally made its arrival in our corner of the world. And with the bloom of spring comes the bustle of sports. I'm beginning to see youth sport teams…