MID-COAST RECOVERY COALITION (MCRC) - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the View Team
- Support Staff
"There are so many things I could say to tell you about myself. I'm a mom of boys, a fiancé, daughter, lover of all things health and fitness, and I enjoy being social. However, I feel like I would be hiding a part of myself if I left out - addict in recovery.
Recovery is nothing less than hard. I learned that through my own journey that started in 2012. It's also what has driven me to want to help our community, and I am so grateful to be in a position to do so!
I can't explain how thankful and excited I am to be a part of MCRC, and hope to help make other people's journeys a little less hard."
I'm a lover of family, music, sports, and travel. I moved to Maine from Connecticut in 2004. Since then, I have had many experiences with men and woman in the recovery field. Both dealing with addiction myself and working in the recovery field. It has afforded me a firsthand working knowledge that empathy is so important to meet people where they are in life. I think working at the homeless shelter in Bangor along with the youth group helped change my thinking and made this journey in life realm for me. I've seen teenagers transform their lives from depression and addiction to graduate high school. Some have gone on to college, while others have become active in their communities. Men and women get housing and their families back along with careers. This makes the struggle so worthwhile. Seeing potential in the lives that they can't see in themselves or even we ourselves can't see, can make all the difference in the world. Addiction is a mind, body, and spirit transformation. Thank you for this opportunity to be a part of this team.
Before working at The Friend's House Iain had many different adventures. He has worked in many different fields including four years in the Army and lived in several different regions of the country as well as two years spent in Europe. His battle with addiction has been lifelong; however it greatly intensified with the passing of his father in 2015. Recovery has been the biggest adventure yet. Iain says that his work at The Friends House has been the most rewarding of his life. He says the most important part of working with people seeking recovery is to "just love them".
Iain has recently been promoted to Director of Operations by the Board. His dedication to MCRC is unmeasurable. He is looking forward to getting out meeting more people letting them know our mission. His passion will continue to make our organization grow and be able to help more of those that need it.
Dr. Mandel completed his training as a family practitioner in 1982, and completed his Masters of Public Health Training in 2001. He has more than 34 years of medical practice and medical leadership experience - ten of which were spent in midcoast Maine, including Knox, Waldo, Lincoln county, and the many islands contiguous with those counties.
Midcoast Recovery was a dream that he fulfilled helping the addiction community with recovery. This vision will be carried on for years providing a safe and comforting environment for those needing help in getitng rid of the evil of addidtion.
After serving as the Executive Director of 63 Washington in its previous iteration as an elder care facility, Jeanne has gone on to spearhead the community effort to create a homeless shelter in Rockland. Additionally, she serves as the social worker for her local parish.
The Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition (MCRC) is a nonprofit organization that was created to support individuals and families dealing with addiction issues.
Kim joined the MCRC Board in 2021 and brings with her a background in banking, dentistry, child care, and holistic health and wellness. She is a Reiki Master Teacher and has a strong desire to help others. You will often find her supporting local fundraising efforts. Her commitment to help the MCRC comes from this passion and she hopes that by joining the board, her support will help to ensure our neighbors continue to receive the help and services they need.
Kim was born and has lived here in Knox County her entire life. She raised three children and owns an older home in Rockland that she and her husband have been "fixing up" for the past decade
Job Titles:
- Grant Writer / Consultant
As our previous Executive Director, Linda has assumed the role of grant writer and consultant to the organization. After moving out of state, Linda has stayed in contact with MCRC and it is because of her talent and dedication, she was offered this position for the coalition.
Linda is very knowledgeable in grant writing and financial needs of our organization. We are very happy to have her back with us.
Lura grew up in San Diego, moving to Midcoast Maine in 1969. She was in banking for 15+ years, worked at several local businesses and most recently worked in the administrative side of homecare, where she was very involved with the Hospice team. Having family members affected by addiction, she is driven to help all she can to combat this disease. In her opinion, "every person deserves a second, third, or sometimes more chances to rid the demons of addiction!" A firm believer that relapse is sometimes a part of recovery, she believes that everyone deserves understanding to beat this disease. Lura enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys being a part of the Resurection Church family. She organizes events for MCRC and helps with social media outreach. She also volunteers as the coalition's bookkeeper.
I feel honored and proud to be part of a team with many backgrounds to advance MCRC's healing and recovery efforts. After careers in finance and consulting in New York City, I hope to leverage my business experience and MBA education to lift up those suffering the weight of addiction. I believe compassion is the best response to human frailty and always side with the underdog. My wife and I are thankful we are able to finally enjoy the Maine seacoast life at our home in Owls Head. Thank you for your kind support.
A little bit about myself. I have lived in Camden for 10 years and have run a small business caring for the elderly, both privately and in facilities. I am no longer running that business but work privately with just one client. He lives in New York City, so I have lots of time on my hands, for the first time in many years. Before moving to Maine, I worked as a dean of a small private school in Virginia.
I have been in recovery for a long time which I think might be useful on such a board. I lost my only son to an overdose almost five years ago and have always wanted to do something of use in these very challenging times. The fact is, I just wasn't ready but now I am. I am a hard worker, well-educated and a good communicator. I have time and dedication to offer.
Robyn Stanicki joined the board of MCRC in 2020. She is a community and economic development coordinator serving towns in central and Midcoast Maine as part of an effort to foster sustainability and resiliency in planning and government. Robyn has a background in social work, policy, and research methodologies and recently completed a NIDA-funded project with Dartmouth College where she coordinated a research study improving healthcare screenings and access to treatment for patients with substance use disorders.