Age Friendly Windham may have a new coordinator, but its mission of working to help members in the community to live and age in place while maintaining the independence of the town’s residents and helping them thrive remains strong.
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| Chantel Huckins has been appointed as Age Friendly Windham's program coordinator and helps connect older adults and caregivers with resources and services that support healthy, independent living. Huckins has managed Age Friendly Windham's transportation program for the past two years. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
“As the Age Friendly Windham Program Coordinator, I help connect older adults and caregivers with resources and services that support healthy, independent living,” Huckins said. “My responsibilities include coordinating community programs, overseeing transportation services, fostering partnerships with local organizations, supporting outreach efforts, assisting volunteers, and developing initiatives that allow residents to age in place, maintain their independence, and remain active members of the community.”
She said one of Age Friendly Windham’s most impactful programs is its transportation service, which provides older adults with rides to medical appointments, social programs, and shopping destinations in North Windham. According to Huckins, during the past year, the program provided 1,927 rides, helping residents access essential services, maintain social connections, and continue living independently.
“Last month, the program was awarded a grant from Lifelong Maine to help reimburse volunteer drivers for fuel expenses,” Huckins said. “This funding will support the continued growth and sustainability of the transportation program, ensuring that older adults in our community can remain connected to the services and activities they depend on.”
Originally from Waterford, Maine, Huckins earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bates College and then obtained a master’s degree from Boston University where she studied Anatomy and Physiology. She also holds certifications in Athletic Training, Orthopaedic Technology, and as a Personal Support Specialist.
“I spent several years working in healthcare before transitioning four years ago to supporting programs with Windham Parks and Recreation and, later, Age Friendly Windham,” she said. “Through the experience of managing Age Friendly Windham’s transportation program, I developed a deep appreciation for the connections I was able to build with community members and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's daily lives. Those relationships and the organization's mission inspired me to become more involved.”
As the Age Friendly Windham program coordinator, Huckins said that she wants to continue building strong partnerships throughout the community and work collaboratively on new initiatives.
“There are so many resources that can be shared and utilized in creative ways to benefit more people,” she said. “A great example is the book and food mobile that was developed through a partnership between the Windham Public Library, Windham Parks and Recreation, the Windham Food Pantry, RSU 14, and Age Friendly Windham. By working together, these organizations were able to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and books to residents throughout Windham. It was a tremendously successful initiative, and a perfect example of what can be accomplished when community partners combine their efforts to meet local needs.”
Huckins said she thinks the biggest misconception that many people have about Age Friendly Windham is they simply don't know everything Age Friendly Windham does.
“Our mission is to help people age in place, maintain their independence, and thrive in the community,” she said. “We focus on enhancing the quality of life for older adults through community activities and programs, disaster preparedness initiatives, connections to resources and services, and partnerships with local organizations that strengthen support systems throughout Windham.”
The original Windham Age-Friendly Committee was spearheaded by the late Human Services Advisory Committee member, Deb McAfee, when the town enrolled in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities in January 2019. McAfee, who passed away in May of 2022 following a lengthy battle with cancer, was the driving force behind establishing this committee. The committee formed and completed a public survey in October 2019. It was voted upon and granted by the Windham Town Council in 2020 that Windham would be a part of AARP’s Age-Friendly Community, and Age-Friendly Windham was officially launched by the town. It offers programs for residents and advises the Windham Town Council about infrastructure and policy that will make it easier and safer for Windham residents to live in our community.
“I love that Maine is full of resilient, self-reliant older adults who take pride in their independence,” Huckins said. “However, those admirable qualities can sometimes make it difficult for people to take the first step and ask for help when they need it. One of the challenges is helping individuals understand that accepting assistance can be an important part of maintaining their independence and quality of life.”
She said the best part of her job is seeing the gratitude and relief on the faces of community members when we are able to connect them with the resources they need.
“Whether it's providing a ride to a medical appointment, distributing food from the food mobile, or supplying window inserts to help conserve heat during the winter, every interaction is an opportunity to make a positive difference,” Huckins said. “It is truly a privilege to serve and support the Windham community.”
To find out more about Age Friendly Windham programs or to volunteer to help, call 207-892-4649 or send an email to [email protected] <
Originally from Waterford, Maine, Huckins earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bates College and then obtained a master’s degree from Boston University where she studied Anatomy and Physiology. She also holds certifications in Athletic Training, Orthopaedic Technology, and as a Personal Support Specialist.
“I spent several years working in healthcare before transitioning four years ago to supporting programs with Windham Parks and Recreation and, later, Age Friendly Windham,” she said. “Through the experience of managing Age Friendly Windham’s transportation program, I developed a deep appreciation for the connections I was able to build with community members and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's daily lives. Those relationships and the organization's mission inspired me to become more involved.”
“There are so many resources that can be shared and utilized in creative ways to benefit more people,” she said. “A great example is the book and food mobile that was developed through a partnership between the Windham Public Library, Windham Parks and Recreation, the Windham Food Pantry, RSU 14, and Age Friendly Windham. By working together, these organizations were able to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and books to residents throughout Windham. It was a tremendously successful initiative, and a perfect example of what can be accomplished when community partners combine their efforts to meet local needs.”
Huckins said she thinks the biggest misconception that many people have about Age Friendly Windham is they simply don't know everything Age Friendly Windham does.
“Our mission is to help people age in place, maintain their independence, and thrive in the community,” she said. “We focus on enhancing the quality of life for older adults through community activities and programs, disaster preparedness initiatives, connections to resources and services, and partnerships with local organizations that strengthen support systems throughout Windham.”
The original Windham Age-Friendly Committee was spearheaded by the late Human Services Advisory Committee member, Deb McAfee, when the town enrolled in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities in January 2019. McAfee, who passed away in May of 2022 following a lengthy battle with cancer, was the driving force behind establishing this committee. The committee formed and completed a public survey in October 2019. It was voted upon and granted by the Windham Town Council in 2020 that Windham would be a part of AARP’s Age-Friendly Community, and Age-Friendly Windham was officially launched by the town. It offers programs for residents and advises the Windham Town Council about infrastructure and policy that will make it easier and safer for Windham residents to live in our community.
“I love that Maine is full of resilient, self-reliant older adults who take pride in their independence,” Huckins said. “However, those admirable qualities can sometimes make it difficult for people to take the first step and ask for help when they need it. One of the challenges is helping individuals understand that accepting assistance can be an important part of maintaining their independence and quality of life.”
She said the best part of her job is seeing the gratitude and relief on the faces of community members when we are able to connect them with the resources they need.
“Whether it's providing a ride to a medical appointment, distributing food from the food mobile, or supplying window inserts to help conserve heat during the winter, every interaction is an opportunity to make a positive difference,” Huckins said. “It is truly a privilege to serve and support the Windham community.”
To find out more about Age Friendly Windham programs or to volunteer to help, call 207-892-4649 or send an email to [email protected] <
