FARMINGTON — The Sunrise Movement of Franklin County will hold its next welcome meeting Jan. 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The group is part of a national youth-led political movement advocating for climate justice and policies such as the Green New Deal. The local hub regularly hosts events and initiatives to inspire activism, particularly among young people.

“We engage with youth through climate workshops and activities like nature walks and scavenger hunts,” Mt. Blue High School senior Maya Kellett said. “These events help kids connect with their surroundings and understand the visible impacts of climate change.”

The group holds weekly meetings, which play a vital role in building momentum for their campaigns. “Weekly meetings allow us to continuously engage with each other on sustainability and climate justice, and plan new actions regularly,” Kellett said.

The Franklin County hub was established in June 2021 by Kahryn Cullenberg. It also aims to engage the public in sustainability efforts while fostering a sense of community.

“We’re focused on community interaction,” Kellett said.

To that end, the group held a community Mending Day on Jan. 8 at the Farmington Public Library.

“Mending Day allows us to engage with a wider net of people in our community here,” Kellett said.

The day emphasizes sustainability by encouraging people to repair clothing rather than discarding it.

“In a sustainable future, clothing cannot be something that is only worn until it gets a hole or a strap comes off and then is thrown away,” Kellett said. “We need to start thinking about our clothes as repairable pieces that we want to use for years and decades.”

For those lacking basic sewing skills, Mending Day offers an opportunity to learn.

“We know that many people do not have the opportunity to learn even basic sewing skills or how to think about making repairs,” Kellett said. “This gives us an opportunity to pass on some of those skills to other members of the community.”

Phoebe Haslam, a member of the group, said, “We had a great time at the Mending Day. Two people joined us and we all had a good time and learned a lot.”

In addition to their local efforts, Sunrise Movement Franklin County has supported broader initiatives such as the Pine Tree Amendment. “We worked on supporting the Pine Tree Amendment in 2023 and wrote a letter to the editor in the Daily Bulldog about its importance in advancing climate advocacy in Maine,” Kellett said.

The Pine Tree Amendment, proposed under LD 928, aims to amend the Maine Constitution to guarantee the right to clean water, clean air, and a healthy environment, mandating the state to protect its natural resources for current and future generations.

Reflecting on their Climate Walkout at Mt. Blue High School on Nov. 9, 2024, Kellett said, “The biggest goal was to provide a space where people could productively express emotions, find community and regain hope. The positive feedback we received shows how we inspired hope and action across the state.”

About 15 students walked out of class at noon, joined by Principal Joel Smith and teachers, in a half-hour protest organized by Kellett. They demanded a better future for America’s youth.

Those who wish to join the Jan. 28 welcome meeting on Zoom can find the link on the group’s Instagram page, @sunrisemvmtfranklincounty.

For more information about the Sunrise Movement, visit its website at www.sunrisemovement.org.