Celebrating Clare!

At the Maine Children’s Alliance, we know that our work is only as strong as the people who carry it forward. This year, we have been fortunate to welcome Clare McNerney to our team as our Policy and Communications Associate, and I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the impact she has already made since joining us in January.

Clare came to MCA with a passion for lifting up the voices of Maine’s children and families and a deep commitment to advancing policy solutions rooted in equity and opportunity. In just a few short months, she has brought both energy and clarity to our communications efforts, strengthening our ability to communicate across partners, policymakers, and the public.

Her skill in translating complex policy issues into accessible, actionable messages has elevated our work during a year filled with both challenges and opportunities. From crafting timely statements on issues like childcare, health care, and family economic security, to amplifying data from the Kids Count reports in ways that inspire advocacy and action, Clare has helped sharpen MCA’s voice and extend our reach.

Beyond her technical skills, Clare brings creativity, warmth, and a collaborative spirit that have enriched our team culture. She has a gift for drawing connections between our policy priorities and the lived experiences of Maine families, ensuring that our communications are always rooted in the values of dignity, justice, and hope.

I am deeply grateful for the talent, vision, and heart Clare has shared with MCA this year. She is helping us grow stronger as an organization and, most importantly, ensuring that children’s needs and voices are heard loud and clear in conversations that shape Maine’s future.

Please join me in celebrating Clare’s contributions and in looking forward to all the ways she will continue to help us build a brighter, healthier, and more equitable Maine for every child.