The Boothbay Region Community Resource Council (BRCRC) has been awarded a grant from the Maine Community Foundation to support a new staff position who will coordinate transportation as part of the Community Navigator program. In February BRCRC appointed Breanna Davis as our new operations coordinator. Breanna will be responsible for coordinating volunteers for all of BRCRCs programs and ensuring all volunteers have a positive experience. Importantly, this new service will ensure low and no cost transportation options for low income people on the Boothbay peninsula who have barriers to transportation.

According to BRCRC Community Navigator Kathleen Arabasz, who works directly with many clients who lack transportation, “The ability to get to medical appointments and access important community places is critical to maintaining health and wellness. Although there are a number of transportation services off peninsula, it is critical that we have a sustainable program here on peninsula.”

This grant comes at a critical time as BRCRC has acquired Boothbay Friends in Service Helping (FISH). Boothbay FISH, an all-volunteer transportation program of St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Boothbay Harbor, is looking to ensure sustainable transportation options for low income and vulnerable people on the peninsula.

Boothbay FISH coordinator Sue Wilson said she is thrilled with the news and is looking forward to ensuring a long-term future for the service and has nothing but praise for all of the volunteer drivers and her co-coordinators who have faithfully served the Boothbay region for many years.

Under BRCRC’s management, Boothbay FISH will become “Ahoy! BRCRC Community Rides.” This service will facilitate rides for peninsula residents in Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb and Southport. A number of other ride programs exist off peninsula and Ahoy! BRCRC Community Rides will help coordinate with those services for any peninsula resident who needs to access critical appointments in those service areas.

Anyone wishing to learn more about Ahoy! BRCRC Community Rides should contact Breanna Davis at (207) 350-0611. To request a ride, please call 633-4357 giving at least 48 hours notice before the ride is required.

Ahoy! BRCRC Community Rides is a service of the Community Navigator. The Community Navigator exists to support the hopes and aspirations of people living on the Boothbay peninsula. Community Navigators help people build resources so that they can lead lives of independence and self-sufficiency.

For more information about the Navigators or any of our other programs, visit BRCRC at www.boothbayresources.org. Anyone wanting to access BRCRC services can call the BRCRC office at 633-6272 to speak with one of our Community Navigators.