I’ve always worked to make things better for others. When I first graduated from college I worked with adults with mental illness. I spent a year in Eastern Europe providing supportive counseling services to international students. While there, I developed a love for clinical work and also wanted to learn more about health and social policy. When I returned to the U.S., I decided to attend graduate school for my Masters in Social Work from Boston College.
I believe that what I do to improve the lives of individuals needs to be combined with political action because often the problems are more than individual ones. I can work with an individual or family, but if a person can’t find a job or doesn’t have enough money for food or heat, then whatever I do will not be as effective as addressing the larger issues. So I combine the two. I work to get the people of Central Maine the opportunities they need to succeed – not just survive.
In politics, I have fought for candidates and policies that improve access to affordable health care, promote economic fairness, and increase educational and vocational opportunities that provide a path to jobs that pay a living wage. In my experience, no one I have ever worked with has felt any better unless they have something meaningful and purposeful to do every day. I would like everyone in Central Maine to have the opportunity to do this.
It is my faith that guides my politics. As a little girl, my parents took me to Mass, where I learned that not everyone was as fortunate as I was. I was taught by my religious leaders that we have a responsibility to care for those who are vulnerable. My father has always followed the same teachings through his volunteer work for food pantries and soup kitchens. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and loving my neighbor are values which are more deeply embedded in me than any others.
I’ve worked for Kennebec Behavioral Health since 1997 and have been the Program Director of School-Based Services since 2005. We provide counseling and consultation to schools in Kennebec and Somerset counties from HeadStart through high school. I provide direct services myself in Waterville and Winslow high schools. As part of my job I develop and manage a program budget. I supervise the staff. I work with local schools to develop service provider agreements. And I also develop and work on grants to pay for some of the services we provide. It is a source of pride that by careful use of resources we find ways to provide services for children who have no health insurance or whose insurance is inadequate.
My husband Ed and I live in Waterville, and we’re licensed foster parents. We are hoping to adopt a little girl to join our family soon. We can’t wait for her to be a part of our community. I look forward to the day I can drive her to school and walk with her through the front door. I know she will love Central Maine as much as we do. We are strong supporters of adoption, particularly of children in foster care. When my husband and I initially discussed adoption, one of the things that made it easier was knowing that our family was as excited as we were about it. They want to be a part of the journey with us.
I am also a stepmother to Ed’s son, Rowan. I am proud of the fact that my husband, Rowan’s mother, and I have a strong commitment to raising him together. We believe the most valuable thing we can give Rowan is a family that cares about him and works together to help him be happy and successful as he grows up.
My parents and one of my sisters also live in Waterville where they are active members of the community. My father volunteers at a local food bank. My mother and I have participated in local knitting circles, and she donates yarn to charitable causes when she has extra money. They took me and both my sisters to Mass, and taught us the importance of caring for our neighbors, a tenet they have followed in their own lives.
I believe strongly in the value of work, and it is particularly important for our young people to learn this. I’ve been working since I was 15 years old. Because of this I have been part of vocational programs to help young adults with disabilities transition into adulthood with education and job skills. One of the things I would love to bring to the Legislature is a plan to expand these vocational programs so our young people can experience the value of earning their own money.
I am the former Waterville Democratic Chairperson and have been involved with the Kennebec County Democratic Committee for six years. At one I time served as vice chair. I am currently the County Chair’s alternate on the Democratic State Committee. I have worked on every election in this area since 2004. For a number of years we have seen budget cuts that have impacted our schools and stretched our social safety net to the breaking point.
After seeing the most recent proposed state budget, I became deeply concerned about the direction the state was heading – that tax cuts for the wealthy would mean tens of thousands would lose their health insurance. The Governor’s budget made that clear. The work the Republicans continue to do, attacking programs such as unemployment insurance and Head Start shows there is no limit to their desire to hurt vulnerable people.
I believe that Senator Tom Martin is not addressing our concerns adequately. I believe I am better equipped to stand up for you and the people of Central Maine. I am running for this seat and will bring my knowledge of public policy to serve the people of Maine in the State Senate. Please support my efforts on behalf of all of us. Vote for me on November 6th because we deserve better, and because together, we can do better.
October 4, 2012 at 4:20 pm
[...] this is the age we live in — Maine state Senate candidate Colleen Lachowicz is an avid World of Warcraft player, and she’s catching all kinds of hell for it from her [...]
October 4, 2012 at 4:22 pm
[...] this is the age we live in — Maine state Senate candidate Colleen Lachowicz is an avid World of Warcraft player, and she’s catching all kinds of hell for it from her [...]
October 4, 2012 at 6:10 pm
[...] this is the age we live in — Maine state Senate candidate Colleen Lachowicz is an avid World of Warcraft player, and she’s catching all kinds of hell for it from her [...]
October 4, 2012 at 9:11 pm
If World of WarCraft is abnormal, how are we to think of individuals who dress up like Civil War Soldiers, carry guns, ride horses and die upon imaginary command in open fields with hundreds or thousands of other like minded individuals.
You go Girl!!
October 4, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Attacking you because you WoW is just showing how desperate they truly are. You have this Waterville gamer girl’s vote.
October 5, 2012 at 9:31 am
This has me worried. I read that most of the Silicon Valley CEOs play WoW. I’m thinking maybe I should boycott databases and computers until they vow to stop the imaginary killing!
October 5, 2012 at 10:17 am
Hope you roll a natural 20 against these shenanigans!
October 5, 2012 at 10:39 am
What I wrote on Tom Martin’s Facebook page:
“You should fire your communications Director. You are obviously out of touch with your community and your attacks on Ms. Colleen Lachowicz make me ashamed to admit I am a Republican. I unfortunately, do not live in Maine, but your attacks have just served to endear her to her and your community even further. I have to say, I honestly hope you lose, because anyone who tries to deflect people away from their own campaign using these tactics is just a coward.
Good Riddance. ”
You have handled this situation with grace and I commend you on that. If I could vote for you, I would. Stay strong, keep your head up high, and know Texas is behind you!
October 5, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Video games are a mainstream and perfectly legitimate form of entertainment enjoyed by millions. Anyone who doesn’t recognize this fact is out of touch with an entire generation of their electorate.
October 5, 2012 at 2:14 pm
WoW!
Who can’t tell reality from fantasy – you for playing or them for thinking it defines your character?
If I lived in your state you’d have my vote – if you were Alliance…
October 5, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Colleen, I am a Missouri Republican, Tea Party supporter, and online gamer. The Republicans you apparently have running against you are boneheads if the best they have is your online gaming hobby. If you were running in my district you’d have my vote. I wish you the best.
October 5, 2012 at 4:06 pm
I ain’t a gamer, but I read the article about you gaming. I think the other guy is grasping at straws. Last I heard there ain’t a big anti-gaming lobby
October 5, 2012 at 6:29 pm
So what if Colleen likes to play on online game? Christopher Stevens, the ambassador who was killed in Libya, was an avid EVE Online (another MMORPG, like World of Warcraft) player.
October 6, 2012 at 5:28 am
Hi from Northern Ireland! I read about the attempt to raise concerns over your hobby. For what it’s worth I think it’s a desperate ploy by a party woefully out of touch. Hope you level up and leave the opposition forced to reroll their stratagies
October 6, 2012 at 6:21 am
Someone playing online gaming…what news is that ? I really don’t understand what this issue is. I wonder how many police officers, judges, doctors, etc. play ?
Wake up America this is the 21st Century !
October 7, 2012 at 7:23 am
Hi,
don”t let those Reps get you
.
At least we players get to know many People, not only in the neighborhood, but all over the World. We make Friends. We make this World a little bit a better place.
So best wishes and greetings from Germany
October 7, 2012 at 5:03 pm
I live in MN, and I generally vote Republican, but the attention given to the WoW account is absurd. The bar got to be too loud and too crowded. When we had kids, on-line gaming became good, clean, cheap fun. Its great for social interaction that I missed when I stopped hanging out with my friends at the bar. There is a group of us that started playing together in 1999, as we still play today. The games have changed, but the people haven’t. Our group ranges from college students to a guy who just turned 77 this year. Tell me another place where you can find such a diverse people working together to reach the same goal?
If you have a paypal account, I will make a contribution to your campaign (my dad might rollver in his grave, but then again, he never knew how much fun on-line gaming is).
October 8, 2012 at 9:48 am
Thanks. if you check out the post titled “Four Ways To Help” you can find information on who to donate to if you’d like to help the cause.
October 8, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Well, I am sitting in my apartment at 2am Guam time, watching CNN when I see a familiar face. Good to see that you are still fighting the good fight. Regardless of the gaming issue, it is good to see people of integrity in the arena. Good luck, you’ll be a wonderful Senator.
October 9, 2012 at 9:02 am
a american politikan who is goodlooking, play games and says it is stoopid to be more interessetet in personly misdredit then in helping others. babe you are great^^
im from german and if you are fired in america come to germany and candidate for kanzler here. my vote 4 u is sure!
October 9, 2012 at 11:10 am
Colleen,
I’m impressed with your political knowledge and views. I live in GA so I’m used to Republicans using fear and ignorance to get votes. I can’t vote for you but I’ll be contributing to the Maine SDCC. The people of Maine will be lucky to have a smart representative like you fighting for them. Good luck in your campaign!
October 9, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Unfortunately, I can’t vote for you, as I’m not a Maine resident currently, but I am sending you a small donation. I too am a gaming “girl” and a Democrat. Hope you win!
October 10, 2012 at 7:04 am
If I lived in U.S. you’d have my vote (;
October 10, 2012 at 3:34 pm
I’m a 44 year old (as of tomorrow) mother of a 10 year old boy. I run a successful publishing company and I am the president of the parents association at a private school here in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. I am the coach of my son’s soccer team and I have a level 89 Blood Elf Mage, along with several other 85′s.
I play with my retired aunt, my cousin, her husband (both college professors) in a guild which consists of many other parents and successful working adults.
I just wanted to express my support and wish you the best.
October 18, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Hi colleen, I just wanted to wish you good luck with running for your state senate job. I’m sad you can’t be with me anymore but I love Deedee as well
Everything is going well, just so you know.
Hope all goes well!!
Love, Nikiaha Bragg<3