May, 2019

Growstown School – In the fall of 1981, our Bath-Brunswick Branch of AAUW took on the project of restoring Growstown School and creating a Living History Center for area school children.  The restored school opened in the fall of 1983 and the first group of students took part in re-enacting a mid-19th century school day.  Now,  36 years later, with  hundreds of children having passed  through the one-room school house doors, we will be turning  the management of the program over to the Growstown School Town Committee.   They, in turn, will continue to keep the school operating.  Although a true labor of love these many years, our membership is aging and we have too few who are willing or able to continue with the school management.

Home to Home – Home to Home has been one of our branch community projects since 1996.  It was started as a place for separated/divorced parents to exchange children in a safe environment. After 22 years, with family dynamics changing and parents not willing to have a specific place or time to exchange, courts are now ordering families to exchange in public places such as parking lots, open spaces, and police stations. As a result of this change, our branch will no longer be a part of an exchange program.

Seven years ago Home to Home helped set up another program, a supervised visitation program at Mid Coast Hospital that serves families ordered into the program by the court. Today, that program is run by trained and paid staff, overseen by a board of directors, and supported by United Way.