Inn Along The Way

INN ALONG THE WAY'S (IAW) LONG-TERM VISION IS TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL LIVING FACILITIES ON THE PROPERTY, BASED ON A SLIDING RENT SCALE, FOR OLDER ADULTS. CURRENTLY, IT PROVIDES TEMPORARY RESPITE-CARE LODGING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS. BY DOING SO, IT FOSTERS PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING. WITH THAT FOCUS, IAW ALSO SEES TO DIMINISH FEAR, ISOLATION, AND FEELINGS OF USELESSNESS THAT CAN COMPROMISE THE EXPERIENCE OF AGING. THE SETTING FOR THE INN ENCOURAGES COMFORT AND SERENTIY: 31 ACCRES OF TRANQUIL, ROLLING PASTURE LAND FEATURE A POND, GARDENS, AND BARNS THAT WEREE PARTS OF A WORKING FARM IN DAMARISCOTTA, MAINE.

THE INN ITSELF - A STURDY, TRADITIONAL BUT ELEGANT MAINE FARMHOUSE - IS THE STARTING POINT FOR IAW'S PRIMARY PROGRAMS. THE FACILITY PROVIDES SPACE TO SUPPORT SHORT-TERM RESPITE CARE AND SUPPORTIVE WELL-BEING SERVICES. IN JANUARY 2023, THE INN COMPLETED RENOVATIONS ON FIVE GUEST ROOMS (THREE WITH A SHARED BATHROOM; TWO WITH BATHROOM EN SUITE), A LIVING ROOM A MEETING ROOM, A DINING ROOM, A KITCHEN, AND OFFICE SPACE. WITH THE RENEWED FACILITIES, IAW NOW HOSTS VISITORS AND PROVIDES A COMFORTING SPACE FOR GRRIEF AND SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS. ADDITIONALLY, THE INN IS A GATHERING POINT FOR WEEKLY "LUNCHES WITH THE BUNCHES", NUTRITIOUS MEALS PREPARED BY VOLUNTEERS AND OFFERED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY DONATION. THE MEALS FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY BREAKING DOWN THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC BARRIERS THAT CAN SEPARATE AND ISOLATE PEOPLE. JUST STEPS FROM THE FARMHOUSE, TWO LARGE BARNS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR IAW AND LOCAL PROGRAMS AND CELEBRATIONS.

IN 2023,IAW COMMUNITY-OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:"GRIEF AND RESILIENCE" "CLEFTSTONE SUFFERING SUPPORT GROUP;"CIRCLE OF CARE;"CONVERSATION CIRCLE" A MONTHLY COMMUNITY-OFFERED PUBLIC FORUM;"BECOMING MORTAL", A SUPPORT GROUP FOR THOSE FOR THOSE WHO ARE AGING AND WANT TO CONFRONT END-OF-LIFE ISSUES;AND A"SUICIDE LOSS SUPPORT GROUP".

IN ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO BECOME A COMMUNITY HUB FOR THE ARTS, INN ALONG THE WAY HOSTED A RICH VARIETY OF PROGRAMS SUCH AS: "EMPTY HAND EMPTY BUSH", "PLEIN AIR FARM PAINTING", A "COLLAGE WORKSHOP", A "SWEDISH ART WORKSHOP AND "BOUGH-MAKING IN THE BARN". THE SPACE AND COMFORT OF THE IAW CAMPUS MEANT THAT THOSE INITIATIVES COULD SEAMLESSLY COINCIDE WITH ON-GOING REGULAR GRIEF AND CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUPS.

IAW ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE AND HAVE FEATURED "OPEN MIC AND "SINGING CIRCLE" GATHERINGS. VOLUNTARY DONATIONS AT THESE EVENTS ARE RECOGNIZED AS REVENUE.