Kennebunk Savings is following through on years of work researching and funding substance use disorder prevention and recovery efforts by participating in New Hampshire’s Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative. The initiative encourages employees, employers and communities to collaborate by creating positive change and eliminating barriers for those impacted by substance use disorder.

“Helping our communities thrive is what we do,” said Bradford C. Paige, the bank’s president and CEO, in an April 22 news release. “Sometimes that means helping a young couple buy their first home. Sometimes that means providing meals for food-insecure school children on the weekends.

Kennebunk Savings’ President and CEO Bradford C. Paige holds the official Recovery Friendly Workplace designation from the State of New Hampshire. Courtesy photo

“And for the last three years, it has also meant contributing $375,000 to support substance use disorder prevention and recovery programming in our communities. Taking this step now to become a Recovery Friendly Workplace represents another active and meaningful commitment to prevention and recovery efforts to benefit our employees, their families, our customers and our communities.”

The initiative provides guidance to help employers support healthy lifestyle choices. It provides resources to make it easier for employees who are both directly and indirectly impacted by substance use disorder to access support and recovery services, and it encourages the use of non-stigmatizing and inclusive language.

Kennebunk Savings is rolling out these resources and training opportunities now. In 2020, in addition to its charitable giving, the bank began sharing resources on social media and its website aimed at community education on subjects like the negative impact of stigmatizing language on health outcomes, social determinants of health, and trauma informed care. In 2019, the bank began distributing Deterra bags, which safely deactivate prescription medication, free of charge at all of their branch locations.

“Our Recovery Friendly Workplace designation is something we’re extraordinarily proud of,” said Paige in the email. “We’re looking inward; our employees are members of our community and our most valuable resource. We want to do everything we can to support them and their loved ones.”

Kennebunk Savings’ President and CEO Bradford C. Paige holds the official Recovery Friendly Workplace designation from the State of New Hampshire.

Kennebunk Free Library announces May activities

On Wednesday, May 26, the Middle School of the Kennebunks Book Group we will meet via Zoom.. Meetings will run from 2:15 until 3:30 p.m. and open to teens in sixth to eighth grade.

Book club is being offered by Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library and Kennebunk Free Library. Hosts will be Terri Bauld from Graves Library and Jon Roy from Kennebunk Free Library. This month the group will read “A Wolf Called Wander” by Rosanne Parry. Participants can stop by either library to pick up a copy of the book.

Sign up in advance by calling either Graves Library (967-2778) or Kennebunk Free Library (985-2173). Participants should read the book in advance of the meeting. For more information, call either libary.

Teens Take Home Kits

Kennebunk Farmers’ Market is ready for the opening of the 2021 season. The market is held Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 1 to Nov 20 at the Garden Street Municipal Lot. Dan King photo

Every week kits will be available to be picked up via curbside. Each kit will include the supplies and instructions necessary to complete the weekly project, either a craft or science experiment. Every Monday at 3 p.m., the group will meet via Zoom to chat and complete the previous week’s project.

To join the group, visit https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/86356573384 or visit the library calendar for the Zoom link. All teens ages 10 and older are welcome.

Friday Afternoon Gaming

Kennebunk Free Library hosts Teen Gaming at 3 p.m. on Fridays to play Jackbox. It’s a multiplayer game that can be played from a distance, all that is needed is a device with internet access. Before the game, partici0pants will be given a code to log in and play along. The group occasionally dabbles in Minecraft.

The group meets via Zoom at 3 p.m. to chat while gaming. For the link, visit https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/88980582413 or check our calendar for the Zoom link. Open to all teens ages 10 and older.

The events are free and wheelchair accessible. Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St., Kennebunk. For more information and to register, call 985-2173 or visit www.KennebunkLibrary.org.