Maine Vocational and Rehabilitation Associates

08/17/2026

🌟 Here’s what’s happening this week at MVRA! 🌟

Monday
☀️ AM Group: Community Garden, explore downtown Bangor & Bagel Central
🌤️ PM Group: Cascade Park, frisbee & shopping for craft supplies

Tuesday
☀️ AM Group: Davis Road Splash Pad, BAM & Bull Moose
🌤️ PM Group: Community Garden, Horse & rag rug craft

Wednesday
☀️ AM Group: Shop for picnic supplies, rag rug craft & clean and organize the kitchen
🌤️ PM Group: Community Garden, Dollar Tree & Cole Transportation Museum

Thursday – All-Day Trip! 🚌
Both groups will enjoy Birds Acre, A1 Relics, a picnic and a trip to Ellsworth Harbor Master. Please bring your cameras and money for Momo’s Cheesecake or Blueberry Hill! 📸🫐

Friday
☀️ AM Group: Book Club at Bangor Public Library, games & puzzles
🌤️ PM Group: Community Garden, Fields Pond, Brewer Waterfront & bowling at Family Fun Lanes

We’re looking forward to a fun and busy week together! 😊

08/13/2026

Know your rights. Help protect the rights of others.

Disability Rights Maine is offering a free virtual training on the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and autism—and everyone is welcome!

This training is a great opportunity for individuals receiving services, families, guardians, case managers, service providers, and anyone interested in disability rights. Learn more about Maine law, how to recognize potential rights violations, and how we can all support people in ways that respect their choices, dignity, and independence.

📅 Thursday, August 20
⏰ 10:00–11:00 a.m.
💻 Virtual training

Interested? Use the registration link below to save your spot—and please share this with anyone who may benefit!

🔗

Learn about the rights of adults with intellectual disabilities and autism in Maine. This training will explore the sources of these rights, the protections provided under Maine law, and how […]

08/10/2026

☀️ This Week at MVRA Day Program! 🌻
We have another fun week planned with gardening, swimming, crafts, movies, volunteering, and plenty of time outside! Check out what each group has planned:

🌻 MONDAY
AM Group | 9:30–1:30
🌱 Community Garden
🎳 Bangor-Brewer Candlepin Bowling
🃏 Never Have I Ever

PM Group | 12:30–4:30
🌸 Roger’s Farm
🏊 Dakin Pool Swimming
🤔 Would You Rather

🌲 TUESDAY
AM Group | 9:30–1:30
🥾 Bangor Forest Bog Walk
🍦 Sweet Frog

PM Group | 12:30–4:30
🌱 Community Garden
🎬 Black Bear Cinemas
🕷️ Spider-Man – 1:20 PM
🌊 Moana – 1:30 PM

🎨 WEDNESDAY
AM Group | 9:30–1:30
🖼️ Rustic Picture Frame Craft
🏖️ Swimming at the Lake
🚶 Go for a Walk

PM Group | 12:30–4:30
🌻 Community Garden
🎾 Tennis Practice
💦 Beth Pancoe Pool

🌿 THURSDAY
AM Group | 9:30–1:30
🌱 Community Garden
🎨 Creative Arts
🎾 Tennis Practice

PM Group | 12:30–4:30
🤝 Volunteer at Good Shepherd Food Bank
OR
🥏 Disc Golf

🍊 FRIDAY – National Creamsicle Day!
AM Group | 9:30–1:30
🥾 Mt. Hope Walk
☀️ Shadow Art

PM Group | 12:30–4:30
🍊 Creamsicle Craft
🌱 Community Garden
🎳 Bowling

Here’s to a great week of getting out in the community, trying new things, and having some fun along the way!

08/01/2026

🎉 Hello, August!

A new month means it's time to celebrate some very special members of the MVRA team!

🎂 August Birthday
Happy Birthday to Loriann, Dakota, and Megan D! We hope your birthdays are filled with lots of happiness, laughter, and cake!

🎉 Work Anniversaries

🌟 14 Years – Donald
Thank you for 14 years of keeping our office looking its best. We appreciate everything you do!

🌟 12 Years – Lauren
Congratulations on 12 amazing years! Thank you for all you do in our Daily Living Skills (DLS) program and for the difference you make every day.

🌟 10 Years – Brian
A decade of dedication! Thank you for your commitment to our Residential program and for supporting the people we serve.

🌟 7 Years – Brittany
Thank you for 7 years of dependable overnight support in our Residential program. We appreciate all that you do!

🌟 3 Years – Bill
Happy 3-year anniversary! Thank you for your dedication as one of our Residential awake overnight staff members.

🌟 3 Years – Tammy
Congratulations on 3 years! Thank you for helping individuals achieve their employment goals as one of our Job Coaches.

🌟 1 Year – Jeremy
Happy first work anniversary! Thank you for everything you do to keep our Exchange Street office squeaky clean.

👏 Thank you all for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to the people we support. MVRA is a better place because of each of you!

Just for Fun – August Facts!
☀️ August is named after Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor.
🌻 The birth flowers for August are the gladiolus and poppy, symbolizing strength, integrity, and imagination.
💚 August's birthstones are peridot and spinel.
🍦 National Root Beer Float Day – August 6
📚 National Book Lovers Day – August 9
🐶 National Dog Day – August 26
🎉 National Beach Day – August 30

Here's to another great month together! 💙

07/31/2026

From garden to plate! Our Community Support groups have been mastering the garden plots, growing tons of goodies! This week they made a delicious zucchini parmesan with all fresh veggies grown by them.

What have you grown in your garden this summer?

07/31/2026

☀️ MVRA Community Support Activities | August 3–7 ☀️

We are busting into August with some summer fun this week! We can't wait to get out into the community, enjoy the summer weather, and have some fun together!

📅 Monday
🌞 Morning Group (9:30 AM–1:30 PM)
Bangor Community Garden
Coffee Club & Word Searches
Fairmount Park (Basketball or Walking)

🌤️ Afternoon Group (12:30 PM–4:30 PM)
Boot Barn
Shop for Thursday's BBQ
Dakin Pool Swimming or Scrapbooking

📅 Tuesday
🌞 Morning Group
Dean's Landing at Chemo Pond
Swimming
Picnic Lunch (don't forget to bring one!)

🌤️ Afternoon Group
Dean's Landing at Chemo Pond
Swimming
Bangor Community Garden
Picnic Lunch (don't forget to bring one!)

📅 Wednesday
🌞 Morning Group
Gould's Landing
Canvas Painting
Swimming

🌤️ Afternoon Group
Community Garden
Prepare Pasta Salad
Beth Pancoe Pool
Kitchen Clean-Up

📅 Thursday
🌞 Morning Group
Community Garden
Park Stretches
Build a Fairy House
Hot Dog BBQ

🌤️ Afternoon Group (12:30 PM–7:00 PM)
Hot Dog BBQ
Bangor State Fair 🎡 (2:00–7:00 PM)
Bring spending money if you'd like games, rides, concessions, or souvenirs!

📅 Friday
🌞 Morning Group
Craig Brook Fish Hatchery
Fishing Mad Libs

🌤️ Afternoon Group
Community Garden
Tennis Practice
Bowling at Family Fun Lanes🎳

07/30/2026

Not Your Typical Office

Your office could be anywhere.

Coffee shops
Local businesses
Meeting with employers
Celebrating job successes

As a Job Coach, you'll help individuals build confidence, learn new skills, and succeed in the workplace.

If you love encouraging others and every day being a little different, we'd love to meet you!

Apply today!
https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Maine-Vocational-&-Rehabilitation-Associates/jobs

07/27/2026

🌻 MVRA Bangor Day Program – Weekly Activities 🌻
July 27 – July 31

Here's what's planned for both of our groups this week!

Monday Morning Group (9:30 AM – 1:30 PM)
🌱 Bangor Community Garden
🏙️ Explore Downtown Bangor
📚 Bangor Public Library
🧩 Puzzles & Games

🌞 Monday Afternoon Group (12:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

🌳 Cascade Park
🥏 Frisbee or Bingo
🛒 Shop for ingredients for Zucchini Parmesan & Zucchini Muffins

☀️ Tuesday Morning Group (9:30 AM – 1:30 PM)

🛍️ Dollar Tree (Shop for Craft Supplies)
🐢 Turtle Craft
🧹 Clean Up the Craft Room

🌞 Tuesday Afternoon Group (12:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

🌱 Bangor Community Garden
🏀 Basketball Horse
🚩 Capture the Flag
🐢 Turtle Craft

☀️ Wednesday Morning Group (9:30 AM – 1:30 PM)

⛪ Visit Brewer Church
🧁 Make Zucchini Muffins
🎲 Bingo
❤️ Donate to the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter

🌞 Wednesday Afternoon Group (12:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

🌱 Community Garden
🍽️ Make Zucchini Parmesan
🎤 Karaoke & UNO

☀️ Thursday Morning Group (9:30 AM – 1:30 PM)

🌱 Community Garden
📖 Team Story Game
🌳 Goulds Landing
🎲 Yahtzee

🌞 Thursday Afternoon Group (12:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

🤟 Introduction to Sign Language
🥎 Kickball & Nature Exploration
OR 💦 Pancoe Pool

☀️ Friday Morning Group (9:30 AM – 1:30 PM)

🌲 Prentiss Woods
🍃 Nature Scavenger Hunt
💦 Cool Off at the Splash Pad

🌞 Friday Afternoon Group (12:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

🌱 Community Garden
🎾 Tennis Practice at Bangor High School
🎳 Bowling at Family Fun Lanes

07/17/2026

🌞 MVRA Day Program Activities for the Week of 7/20/26-7/24/26! 🌞

We're looking forward to another fun-filled week of community engagement, creativity, recreation, and skill-building! Here's what our participants will be up to:

Monday

AM Group (9:30am–1:30pm)
🌱 Bangor Community Garden
💦 Davis Road Splash Pad
🤟 Introduction to Sign Language

PM Group (12:30pm–4:30pm)
🎨 Organize Craft Room & Donate to Goodwill
🛍️ Shop for Craft Supplies
🐴 Horse at Stillwater Park

Tuesday

AM Group (9:30am–1:30pm)
🎾 Tennis Practice
🎲 Yahtzee
🛒 Shop for Water Gun Craft Supplies

PM Group (12:30pm–4:30pm)
🌱 Community Garden
🎨 Creative Arts Center
🌊 Brewer Waterfront

Wednesday

AM Group (9:30am–1:30pm)
🔫 Water Gun Painting Craft
🛍️ Old Town Thrift Store
🛍️ Orono Thrift Store

PM Group (12:30pm–4:30pm)
🌱 Community Garden
🤟 Introduction to Sign Language
🏊 Dakin Pool
🌿 Bog Walk

Thursday

AM Group (9:30am–1:30pm)
🌱 Community Garden
🎨 Creative Arts Center
🎵 Make Music at the Brewer Waterfront

PM Group (12:30pm–4:30pm)
🎾 Tennis Practice
🎨 Tie-Dye Salt Craft
🤝 Volunteer Opportunity at Good Shepherd Food Bank

Friday

AM Group (9:30am–1:30pm)
🏖️ Hermon Pond
🏊 Swimming
🥏 Frisbee
🧺 Bring Your Own Picnic Lunch

PM Group (12:30pm–4:30pm)
🌱 Community Garden
📚 Books-A-Million
🎳 Bowling at Family Fun Lanes

07/15/2026

Katie's family reached out to share some sad news of her passing. Katie was part of our day program for many years. We are so saddened by this loss, but will remember her big smile and her laughter, which we were frequently blessed with.

Here is some information passed along from her sister:

Our beautiful Katie stepped into perfect, painless peace. 🕊️✨
Some people are born with a light so bright that absolutely nothing can dim it, and that was our Katie. She went through life with a completely pure, gentle spirit, a quick joke, and a heart that knew nothing but kindness. Though her physical world was small, her presence was massive. She filled every room she entered with her huge personality, her beautiful laugh, and a genuine love for everyone she met.
Katie was a masterclass in beating the odds. She spent her lifetime rewriting medical scripts and blowing past every statistic with a smile on her face. Her life was a total victory, and a testament to what happens when you simply refuse to stop loving life.
She is now resting in the ultimate Disney magic, free from pain, free from limitations, and wrapped in complete peace.
We are so deeply proud of my parents. My mom dedicated her entire life to being Katie’s full-time caregiver and best friend, ensuring she was wrapped in comfort, safety, and endless love at home until her very last breath.
Katie, you fought the most incredible fight. You left our world so much brighter, and our lives will never be the same. Run free, sweet girl. We love you so much.

Celebration of Life: We will share details for her service soon. When the time comes, we ask that you leave your traditional black clothing at home and wear bright, vibrant colors instead to match the incredible light Katie brought into our lives.