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Watch video of ACAP 50th Anniversary Potato Plot Project and Harvesting by clicking on image above

Drone footage provided by: D. LaMothe and project photos courtesy of Don Raymond

More than 250 community members, including 180 Fort Kent Elementary School students with baskets, buckets, bags and their bare hands turned out on an unusually warm September 9^th afternoon to harvest the ACAP 50^th Anniversary Potato Plot on land owned by the G. B. and D. Pelletier Farms on Route 161 in St. John Plantation. The collective efforts resulted in some 3,000 five-pound bags – more than seven tons of potatoes – that will make it to the households of County residents through local food pantries, and two of the bags headed to the White House.

The season-long project was designed to call attention to the significance of The County’s agricultural industry and signature crop, as well as to combat food insecurity in the region, highlight the artistic talent of Aroostook residents, and celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Aroostook County’s most comprehensive provider of social services. It culminated in a heart-warming display of the community coming together with the old-fashioned hand harvesting that brought back wonderful memories for some, and created brand new ones for others.

As they were harvested and brought from the field by the volunteers, the potatoes were immediately placed in specially designed ACAP 50^th Anniversary five-pound potato bags. The unique artistic design on the bag was created by Fort Kent Artist Gert Thibodeau, who was the winner of a County-wide art design contest held earlier this summer as part of the overall project. Read More...

COMMUNITY MEMBERS INVITED TO UPCOMING ACAP EVENTS TO

CELEBRATE HOMEOWNERSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

At a time of critical shortage of available childcare options for parents across the region, state and nation, unique partnerships between several area school districts and Aroostook County Action Program are making a difference locally.

This fall, ACAP doubled its number of public pre-school partnerships in communities across The County, adding Caribou, Limestone, Van Buren and Fort Kent to the list of towns where parents enrolling their children in preschool now have expanded opportunities. Partnership programs for expanded preschool/childcare services were already in place with RSU 50 in Dyer Brook, SAD 27 in Houlton, Region 2 School of Applied Technology – also in Houlton, as well as SAD 1 and the district’s Presque Isle Tech Center.

Beginning this week, the agency, which provides Head Start services region-wide, and its new partner public schools are inviting elected officials, community leaders, the media and community members in to visit the classrooms and learn more about the collaborative efforts that have been tailored to best meet the needs of the local community and school district. Read More...

APPLY ONLINE FOR FREE AND REDUCED SCHOOL MEALS

School meals are free for all Maine students, but it’s still important to fill out an application as it helps your school access important state and federal funding. Also, eligible students can receive extra money for groceries when schools are closed due to COVID through Pandemic EBT. Apply using the button below, and if your school district is not listed, please contact them directly to apply. Fill out a school meal application.

ACAP TODAY GOES INSIDE 2022 GOUGHAN’S FARM CORN MAZE CELEBRATING

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AROOSTOOK COUNTY ACTION PROGRAM 

On this week's edition of ACAP Today, CEO Jason Parent catches up with the Farmer's Daughters of Goughan's Farm in Caribou from inside the 2022 Corn Maze, as well as ACAP's own Kim Guerrette Michaud who takes viewers through a section of the maze to give them a taste of what it's like!

Aroostook County Action Program’s 50th anniversary logo, and a handful of images that represent the work of the agency to “make life better” in northern Maine have been captured in a six acre corn maze created by the Goughan’s Farm Family of Caribou.

The unique design was unveiled at a special ribbon cutting ceremony, on August 29, at the maze entrance co-hosted by the Goughan Family and Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce. The honor of revealing the design and cutting the ribbon went to children attending ACAP’s Early Care and Education Programs at nearby facilities.

“Our family is honored to partner with ACAP in helping celebrate their 50 years of making life better. Our corn maze designs have always been based on both entertainment and education. We are so pleased with this year’s design, as well as the games/challenges those who visit the maze will have the opportunity to enjoy. In our effort to provide entertainment for the entire family, this year’s maze will certainly help educate our community on the great impact ACAP has, and can have, in the lives of individuals and families across The County,” said Kelli Michaud, Kristi Goughan, and Katie Shannon – also known as the Farmer’s Daughters of Goughan’s Farm. Read More...

Already have a scheduled HEAP Appointment? Click here to see what documentation you need to bring to your appointment.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR AT THE ROADS TO RECOVERY COMMUNITY CENTER

A busy day in The County on Friday, September 9th. Members of our ACAP team provided agency information and shared our community closet at the Community Resource Fair held at the Roads to Recovery Center in Caribou. 

ACAP AND MYAN PARTNERSHIP "GATEWAY TO OPPORTUNITY SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM" IN THE COUNTY COMES TO AN END

This dedicated and talented team spent 6 weeks in the Maine Youth Action Network’s Gateway 2 Opportunity (G2O) summer youth employment program hosted this year by ACAP. The team consisted of  four youth team members - Jamie Henderson, Gwen Bragg, Becca Matley, and Allie Gardiner, plus team leader Belen Dougherty Their project revolved around how to better engage young people aged 15-19 in Aroostook County. The team created and conducted a survey for county youth to gauge how much they feel they matter in their communities. The project concluded with a presentation of their findings as well as recommendations for better youth engagement to be made to ACAP leadership. 

                      HOMEBUYER EDUCATION CLASS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 24TH

ACAP offers a hoMEworks approved 8-hour homebuyer education class taught by industry professionals (lenders, home inspectors, and real estate agents) in an educational, non-sales oriented environment. The next class is scheduled to be held virtually on Saturday, September 24.  The hoMEworks homebuyer education classes provide an opportunity to learn about the home buying process in a neutral environment. The course is open to the public and registration is required.

• Participants will receive a certificate of completion for Homebuyer Education which can be presented at participating local Maine State Housing lenders.​​
• Local lenders, realtors, and title companies participate in our live classes to provide participants with information around what to expect when buying a home and its processes.​​
• Participants may be eligible for up to $3500 through the MaineHousing Advantage Program that could be used toward closing costs or down payment. 

To register or for more information contact Don at 207-554-4175 or dwhipkey@acap-me,org. 

The ACAP WIC Farmer’s Markets are located at the 771 Main St. ACAP Office in Presque Isle. The Farmer's Markets are open to the general public as well as being available for WIC families who participate in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. If you are a WIC participant and have questions about eFMNP or you want to learn more about enrolling in WIC, call 207-768-3026 or visit maine.gov/wic.

FINAL 2022 SEASON ACAP

WIC FARMER'S MARKET DATE:

Wednesday, September 14

NATIONAL COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OFFICIALS WORK WITH

ACAP TEAM TO HELP EXPAND WHOLE FAMILY WORK ACROSS MAINE

Tiffney Marley (left), Senior Vice President, Practice Transformation at Community Action Partnership, based in Washington, DC, was in Maine last week to co-present with Sue Powers (right), ACAP Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, on Whole Family Practice Transformation at the Maine Community Action Partnership Summit in Bangor. While visiting the area, Marley had the opportunity to experience well-known Maine hospitality and cuisine, along with Powers and ACAP CEO Jason Parent and Chief Operating Officer Jamie Chandler.

UP UP AND AWAY

Lisa Bates and Julia Macek, members of the ACAP team, participated in the Great TFG 5 K Balloon Chase held on August 28th. This 5 k was part of the 2022 Crown of Maine Balloon Fest and drew nearly 150 registrants. Thank you ladies for all you do and for finding the ACAP logo at this community event. 

The Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund is a free, federal relief program for homeowners financially impacted by COVID-19 who are behind on their mortgage, housing, property tax or utility payments and are at risk of foreclosure. The program, which can provide up to $25,000 per eligible household, is funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury and administered by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for assistance if:

• You own and occupy a 1 to 4-unit dwelling in Maine.
• You experienced a COVID-19 related financial hardship after January 21, 2020 (a financial hardship is a material reduction of income or material increase in expenses).
• ·Your household is below certain income limits. These limits vary by household size and location. Click here to view Income Limits.

Requirements

• Homeowner must have experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020.
• Total annual household income must be equal to or less than 100 percent of area median income or 100 percent of the U.S. median income, whichever is greater.
• Property must be occupied as the primary residence.
• Property must be located in the state of Maine.
• Eligible structures include: single-family homes, townhouses, condos, 2- to 4-unit home where owner occupies at least one unit, and manufactured or mobile homes.
• Homeowner agrees to provide all necessary documentation to meet program guidelines established by the Maine HAF.

For more information or to apply visit: https://maine.gov/HomeAssist.  For households needing assistance with completing the on-line application, Aroostook County Action Program (207-764-3721) is prepared to answer questions and assist with the process

UPDATED BOOSTER SHOT RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommended actions based on current level:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.
• Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19.
• Wear a mask on public transportation.
• You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.

COVID-19 Vaccinations are now available for all ages over 6 months. If you need help scheduling an appointment, or want to know if a site near you is offering vaccinations without an appointment, call the Maine COVID-19 Community Vaccination Line at 1-888-445-4111 or visit https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites.

Visit the Maine COVID-19 Response page for full listings of Testing Sites, Vaccination Sites and Treatment Sites.

BE PREPARED FOR WHEN YOUR FAMILY NEEDS TO TEST

Free COVID tests are available through Project Access COVID Tests (ACT). As of August 1, 2022, households in Maine that have already ordered two test kits through Project Act are eligible to reorder one additional free kit of five rapid tests. Order you test kits here: https://www.accesscovidtests.org/

Free test kits are available to order through COVIDtest.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Individuals are now able to order three rounds of COVID-19 Test kits for free.

WELCOME NEW ACAP TEAM MEMBERS

Cody Embelton

Community Educator

Patti Romano

Program Associate

BJ Estey

Housing Specialist

JOIN THE ACAP TEAM

ACAP has a dedicated team who work to help keep people warm, safe, and dry in their homes with a variety of programs that offer education or assistance in areas of heating and energy efficiency, home purchase, repair, and assistance for people facing foreclosure or eviction. We assist job seekers with going back to school or developing skills and help people overcome common barriers that might stand in their way in areas such as transportation and childcare. ACAP is helping to build a stronger, healthier community by collaborating with local and statewide organizations to offer prevention services that focus on nutrition, oral health, substance use, tobacco, obesity and youth engagement. Join the ACAP team and help to make life better in Aroostook County!

THROWBACK SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK...

An ACAP Team member at a WIC Clinic in 1981 weighs in a client

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