ABOUT US
MISSION
Upper Saco Cultural Alliance provides spaces and networking for practical, creative and educational programs and activities in the communities of the Upper Saco River valley.
VISION
USCA cultivates emotional and mental health among our community by providing welcoming, multi-generational, activity based spaces and events. We will encourage interdisciplinary and age-integrated connections by providing studio, office and meeting spaces to implement comradeship and evolve a honeycomb of support among the people of our area. We will create a network connecting people's skills and interests and activities with our website, Center and outreach events.
OUR VALUES
Team members and staff will build a safe, secure and peaceful environment contributing to continual learning, connectivity and growth amongst ourselves and our greater community. We will encourage leadership skill building and advocate for honoring diversity and fairness in all our dealings. It is important to maintain a friendly atmosphere of mutual respect while creating a challenging, adventurous and creative experience for all involved. USCA is a crossroads where individuals and groups, work and play, art and craft, body and spirit come together to celebrate and flourish.
COMMITTEES
USCA members are encouraged to contribute to the development of our organization through committee work.
PROGRAMS - Organizing opportunities for community members to share and learn from each other through skill building, knowledge sharing and social gathering.
FUNDRAISING - An Event calendar, donor development, grant writing and community engagement opportunities to provide long term financial sustainability.
COMMUNICATION - Print and digital publishing, PR and community news about how to get involved with USCA and USCA partners.
FACILITIES - Creating, repurposing and maintaining community spaces for shared use and social interaction.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President, Thomas Rebmann
Master carpenter, designer and independent contractor, Tom has worked many roles in the Upper Saco Valley. Besides being a sought-after builder and creator, Tom is a member of the arts community as a musician, set designer, actor and former music store owner. He serves on several community boards, including the town Planning Board, RERC development committee and is a key consultant on the rebuild and restoration of the Majestic Theater for Mountain Top Music school.
VP / Treasurer, Kelisha Ryan
Keli is co-owner of Spice and Grain, a local grocery and health foods store. At the center of town, Keli and her husband Ray, provide good food, and a vibrant space for community engagement on issues of healthy eating, outdoor recreation and social networking. Keli is a member of the Fryeburg Business Association and the Fryeburg Area Rotary Club. She manages a commercial kitchen and teaches cooking classes. She is the editor and writes for the community newsletter, the Dragonfly.
Recorder, Donnette Barnes
Donnette recently retired as director of the Fryeburg Public Library where she was responsible for human resource management, budgeting and public relations and reported to the town select board. Donnette is experienced as treasurer and board member of a church in Fryeburg. She also assumed a lead role in coordinating USCA's Community Aid effort to assist home-bound neighbors during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Member, Greg Huang-Dale
Greg is an ESOL teacher at Fryeburg Academy. He serves on the Fryeburg Water District board of trustees and has chaired the Fryeburg Age-Friendly Community Taskforce. Greg has previous experience working on non-profit boards including a term as president of Iglesias Hermanas / Sister Parish, Inc. an international non-profit linking churches in the US with faith communities in Central America.
These committees formed in 2019 and met a few times before the Covid-19 pandemic led to suspension of in-person meetings. Momentum continues to build and we expect to regroup and continue our work in 2021.
17 Portland Street
Fryeburg, Maine 04037
(207) 370-9099