The River Coalition
240 Main Street
 Old Town, ME 04468
(207)827-8744
rivercoalition@verizon.net 

What is the River Coalition’s purpose?

The River Coalition is a group of concerned persons from the river communities of Alton, Bradley, Greenbush, Milford, and Old Town who share a vision of positive change.

Our purpose is to link resources, ideas, energy and experience to foster and support stronger, more caring communities.

The River Coalition will continue to assess our communities and build on our strengths to ensure safe homes, schools and communities. We will promote easily accessible support systems for youth, families and communities. 

What have we done so far?

The Old Town Action Group (OTAG) received a 1993 grant from the Office of Substance Abuse, which funded the formation of the River Coalition. Because OTAG, the FUTURE Team (Union 90) and Indian Island were all dedicated to combating substance misuse and violence in their communities, they joined their energies to form the River Coalition in 1994.

These groups fit together naturally because all sent students to Old Town High School. Like tributaries of the river that borders these towns, they gathered strength by joining together, yet each still maintains a separate identity.

 The River Coalition decided to use a model called “Communities That Care” that was developed by Drs. Hawkins and Catalano.  They identified nineteen risk factors that put youth at risk for later problem behaviors.  These risks were divided into four areas that involve the Community, School, Family, and Individual/Peer.  They also found that having positive relationships and rewards for good behavior act as protective factors, or protection that will help them avoid problem behaviors.

Members of the River Coalition received training in how to gather information about these nineteen risk factors during 1995. Then in 1995-96, we surveyed all area school children from grades 5-12 and about 5% of the adults. Much information was gathered from local police & sheriff’s departments, schools, and numerous state and local agencies.

We then chose three risk factors around which we could build programs that would help youth resist involvement in problem behaviors. Ideas were sought from all sectors within our community.  A number of these citizens collaborated to write a Comprehensive Community Prevention Plan for the River Coalition area. 

This plan has three goals:

1.      To strengthen youth connections with families, schools and communities

2.      To strengthen family management (parenting skills)

3.      To strengthen family relations (conflict resolution skills)

What are the next steps?

The River Coalition is currently implementing community programs contained in the Comprehensive Community Prevention Plan.  These are designed to prevent problems, rather than waiting for problems to develop and then searching for a cure.

We believe in a positive approach that does not seek to place blame on individuals or institutions, but recognizes that we all need to work together in our communities.   

You are invited to become involved and help us work toward these goals.