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Programs / Services
The Cancer Community Center continues to support and strengthen people throughout their journey with cancer. In addition to offering organized events, the Center is a welcoming place to drop in, read a book, or bring a lunch and a few friends for socializing around the kitchen table. Several people in the community, including Center participants, have volunteered their time and talent to lead a discussion, workshop, or leisure activity. These activities promote camaraderie, sharing and bonding.
Support Groups
Many people facing cancer may wonder how a support group could be helpful to
them, imagining that a group will be a forum involving only the exchange of "sad
stories". For most people, however, being part of a group is an
extraordinarily positive experience, providing an essential complement to
medical treatment. The Center's groups are intimate, casual gatherings of
people who are facing similar cancer experiences. They are co-lead by
volunteer "peer" facilitators, who are well trained to maintain the group as a
shared, comfortable space for all. While some group members use the time
to talk about what is going on for them or their loved one, others benefit by
simply listening. Most use a support group as a place to explore
problem-solving strategies, resources, and methods for coping with symptoms of
illness, side-effects of treatment, and the daily impact of cancer.
Overall, feedback from those who have participated in a group has been that the
experience provided a tremendous source of support and hope for the future,
decreased feelings of isolation, and helped to better navigate the
challenges presented by a cancer diagnosis. Please see our
calendar for
more information about Support Groups currently being offered.
Wellness
For people experiencing cancer, maintaining a wellness plan is a vital part of
improving physical and psychological well being. Some benefits of a fitness
regime include: increased lean muscle mass, decreased nausea and fatigue, and
improvement of natural defense mechanisms, mood, self-esteem and quality of
life. Experts suggest selecting activities that are comfortable, accessible and
enjoyable. In addition to fitness and body movement, the Center offers yoga and
tai chi classes. The Center promotes the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle with an ongoing whole foods cooking series
and alternative and complementary therapy workshops. All classes offered are non competitive and geared to individual needs. Through gentle encouragement, participants move toward improved balance, strength and flexibility.
Creative Expression
Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., author of Kitchen Table Wisdom, says "At the deepest level, the creative process and the healing process arise from a single source. When you are an artist, you are a healer." During this past year, Center participants have experienced that healing by creating masterpieces with: wire and beads, words on paper, collage and decoupage materials, paints, inks, wool and appliqué, handmade paper, yarn and plaster. Participants have taken the opportunity to learn something new like: crocheting, floral arranging, even meditative belly dancing! These opportunities to explore intense feelings and experiences through art are a wonderful way to manage stress and anxiety.
Community Outreach
The goal of the Community Outreach team is to increase
awareness of the Center throughout Greater Portland and the state of Maine and
to spread the word about the benefits of the Center's FREE services. Our staff members share information about the Center's
mission, programs, support groups and activities with business and civic
organizations, healthcare providers, and clergy to educate and inform the
community. Community Outreach is more than the staff of the CCC though, it's the voices
of our participants and supporters as well. Everyone knows someone who has
been affected by cancer, so when you tell a friend about the Center, you're a
part of the Outreach team, too! Community Outreach is our way of letting
people know that they are not alone and that we are here when they need us.
Library
Our library is located in our resource area with books on various topics and
sorted by subject. Our goal is to make the library more helpful and easy to use.
Library users may sit in a cozy chair and peruse books or pamphlets or study
reference materials. Most books and videos can be borrowed for up to three
weeks with a simple sign-out procedure. There is a wealth of free booklets with
information on many types of cancers, nutrition, appropriate exercise, therapies
and care options. The library computer available for easy web access to
cancer-related sites recommended to us by knowledgeable internet users.
The Center is also a WiFi hot spot, so bring your laptop and enjoy free
internet access.
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