CAMDEN — United Midcoast Charities (UMC) is taking a new approach with this month’s LEARN@UMC workshop. Instead of a traditional professional development session, UMC is dedicating the time to what many nonprofit leaders have said they need most: a moment to pause and care for themselves.

On Tuesday, June 18, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., UMC invites nonprofit staff and partners to use that time for self-care in whatever way works best for them—whether that’s a walk outside, quiet reflection, time with a pet, or simply stepping away from technology.

“Burnout and overwhelm are real,” said Kristin Sidwell, Outreach Chair at UMC, in a news release. “We’ve heard from our partners across Knox and Waldo counties that the pressure is immense. This small gesture is our way of saying: We see you. And we value your well-being.”

Participants are asked to RSVP as usual to track participation. After the session, UMC encourages attendees to send in a quick selfie and a sentence or two describing how they spent their time. These reflections will be compiled into a shared resource for the nonprofit community.

As a bonus, all submissions will be entered into a drawing to win a 60-minute massage gift certificate—a little extra encouragement to invest in restorative renewal.

LEARN@UMC is a monthly professional development series for nonprofit professionals serving Knox and Waldo counties. The June session marks a thoughtful pause in the calendar to prioritize mental health and resilience in the sector.

To RSVP or learn more, visit unitedmidcoastcharities.org/learn-rsvp/.