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V O L . X X I I N O. I As a pregnant teenager, the woman had been a client of the organiza- tion, taking advantage of a program for teen parents. She finished her high school education through the non- profit's alternative education program, graduated from college and is now a teacher; all four of her children have also graduated from college. "at's a powerful story to share," says Dorian. Stories like that form the essence of Abrams' 41 years with the organization. "Talking about teen parents, I've been around all the years that program has been operating," Abrams says. "ere's nothing like running into somebody, on campus or in the grocery store, whom you knew 25 years ago and you find out that they finished high school and college and now have a master's degree and their children are in college, too. at speaks to what our mission is — to provide the tools that give people hope and a better quality of life." Since 1974, Abrams, who retired Dec. 31, has been instrumental in the agency's expansion of programs as it aims to meet needs that she says continue to grow. As executive direc- tor since 1992, she's seen the nonprofit through challenging economic times, including several recessions and, in turn, through growth and change. "We're unique in how much pro- gramming we have to offer on one campus," says Abrams. "at was one of my dreams — to have a one-stop shop, so to speak, so that we could meet people's needs here or refer them to other programs." Keeping a nonprofit alive e business of running a nonprofit hinges on the generosity of individual and corporate donors, foundations, funding agencies and volunteers. Tools of the trade include commu- nication and collaboration. Picking up the phone, hand-writing notes, arrang- ing face-to-face meetings, Abrams says, are powerful ways to reach poten- tial donors and grant organizations. "You should see Sharon's Rolodex," says Dorian, via conference call from Abrams' office during their month-long transition. "It's crammed with business cards. at's an image of her role here and her history and longevity. She's been in Waterville her whole life and knows the majority of people here in Kennebec County. Her impact, influence and con- nections — so many of the things that have happened here in the evolution of the organization — is through her grace and connections. She can pick up the phone and call so many people; she knows the state's top leaders." Six years ago, Abrams says she and the board realized they needed to increase their connectivity with poten- tial clients and donors through a broad community public relations push. ey hired Nancy Marshall Communications, a PR firm whose owner, Nancy Marshall, has been instrumental in pub- licizing what "she tagged 'the best-kept secret in Maine,'" says Abrams. "We're now on TV and radio, and in print. ey designed our Facebook page. It's a whole new world now. Twenty years ago, I think we felt this kind of publicity was bragging. We weren't very good talking about ourselves and spreading the word." Media exposure has been essential to reach a broad-based audience. "It's vital that we keep expanding the frontiers of how we communicate with people, especially with younger people, and as new technology offers so many ways to reach people easily and quickly," says Dorian. For exam- ple, "Recently, with our Christmas program, we were running low filling [gift] packages for children all over the state. But with just a few phone calls and emails, and putting the call out on Facebook, our website, and radio and TV, people from all over the country responded to help meet every need. It's extraordinary how powerful media and social media are for reaching people and inviting them to be partners." e Maine Children's Home was founded in 1899 in Augusta as an orphanage. In 1915, the orphanage closed, but the home continued its adoption program and expanded its support services. In 1962, the Maine Children's Home and the Maine branch of e New England Home Sharon Abrams, who retired Dec. 31 after 23 years as executive director of the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers, is flanked by her successor, Richard Dorian, who has extensive leadership experience with nonprofits. P H O T O / R U S S D I L L I N G H A M Succession planning hits home Leadership change after 23 years at Maine Children's Home B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r » C O N T I N U E D F R O M C O V E R JA N UA R Y 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 14 A U G U S TA / WAT E R V I L L E F O C U S

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