We Make Life Better!
Studies show that kindness is contagious. Doing an act of kindness for someone prompts them to then do something thoughtful for somebody else. Every little bit of kindness helps to make your community a better place. February is a month that celebrates love and kindness. On Valentine's Day and during the National Random Acts of Kindness week from February 11 to the 17 individuals are encouraged to share the love. It is a time to celebrate not only those we love but those organizations that are spreading love and kindness in our communities.

A few ways to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week:
·          Pay for coffee for the person behind you in line
·          Send an encouraging text
·          Shovel a neighbors door step
·          Find and opportunity to volunteer
·          Smile (just because!)
·          Donate to a non-profit
·          Leave a kind comment
·          Give an unexpected compliment
·          Buy a warm meal for someone in need

❤️ Share the love! ❤️
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Our 2019 Report of Services is available on our website. This report helps to tell the story of our Agency’s service to the people of individual communities and Aroostook County as a whole in 2019. In 2019 we are proud to have served over 14,000 of our friends and neighbors. This report looks at our impact in the past year to the County's most vulnerable residents to ensure that they are cared for and provided with opportunities to be more economically secure and stable, and lead healthy lives. 

To see the impact that ACAP made in your town:
Freshstart Comes to the County
ACAP’s Tobacco Cessation Program funded by a grant from Maine Cancer Foundation provides adults in Aroostook County the opportunity to participate in American Cancer Society’s Freshstart program.

Elaine Sipe, ACAP Community Educator, provides a supportive environment for County adults as they go through their quit smoking process .  As the program facilitator, Elaine provides a safe, confidential group environment that allows adults to get the resources and tools they need to attempt to quit tobacco products or continue to stay quit.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating contact:
Elaine at 554-4151 or esipe@acap-me.org.
Something to "Bragg" About
Bruce Bragg is an Associate Trainee in the
771 Main St. ACAP Office.
ACAP is now a host agency training site for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) through the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging. The program is a community service and work-based job training program for older Americans and enrolls qualified job seekers in part-time, paid training positions at public agencies or at non profit organizations in local communities. The purpose of the SCSEP is to offer a "stepping stone" back into the workforce. For more information about the program visit: https://a4td.org/
Spread the Word
The 2020 Census is more than a population count. It's an opportunity to shape the future of your community.
ACAP Board Spotlight
Gary Sanfacon
In the Community Connection spotlight is a resident of Caribou, Gary Sanfacon. Gary has served Aroostook communities throughout his career, including but not limited to a 12 year ACAP board commitment.
 
Gary, a native to Aroostok County, is a graduate of Caribou High School, UMPI and Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Gary came to his current position at the Department of Corrections as a Juvenile Community Corrections Officer after twenty three years as Chief of Police in Washburn. 
 
Gary plays a key leadership role in the Aroostook Community Collaborative (ACC). The ACC has had a variety of names since it's inception in 1995, but it's mission of developing and sustaining collaboration, expanding resources, and enriching the health, hope and well being of Aroostook County people has remained. This year marks the 25 th anniversary of the ACC and the commitment that the group has had in Aroostook County over the past quarter of a century. 
 
Gary is a member of the Caribou Kiwanis Club and truly enjoys the work the local club does. He looks forward to summers when he enjoys being outside taking care of his variety of fruit trees and shrubs.
Home Energy Assistance Program Expands it's Guidelines
Fuel cost are a major expense and concern for many Aroostook County residents.
The Home Heating Assistance Program provides financial assistance to income and program-eligible households to help address their energy costs.
The income guidelines for the 2019-202 season have changed. Individuals previously unable to receive benefits may now be eligible.
Guidelines and Information about the Home Heating Assistance Program can be found here on the ACAP website.
Touchdown!!!
Pictured above:
ACAP's Sherry Locke (second from left) and Rebecca Penney (third from left) stopping into the PI County Federal Credit Union to up cases and cases of soup and donations brought in by all our generous community members and businesses! Along with Sherry and Rebecca are County Federal Credit Union Employees: Jodale (far left), Faith (center) Danae & Gena.
SouperBowl Success
The Aroostook County Chapter of Maine Credit Unions, Aroostook County Action Program, and WAGM TV came together to help end hunger in Aroostook County with the SouperBowl of Caring.
This years total was over 13,000 cans of Soup!!! Those cans are distributed to stock food pantry's and community cupboards County wide.

A huge thank you to Acadia Federal Credit Union, The County Federal Credit Union, Norstate Federal Credit Union and WAGM for their partnership!
ACAP Employee Receives National Certification
Matt Guimond, ACAP Housing Specialist, received certification from the Building Performance Institute as a
Quality Control Inspector.

He is now a Building Professionals Institute certified Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector. Which allows him to complete energy audits, choose tasks required to complete a weatherization on a home, and inspect the completed work done by a local contractor or ACAP’s in house Weatherization Crew.
Aroostook County Action Program | https://acap-me.org/