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Are you or someone you know in need of a prom dress? The Cinderella Project Comes to Aroostook is here to help! We are offering free prom dresses to students again this year. This is a fantastic opportunity to find the perfect dress for your special night without any cost.

Event Details:

• Date: One day only in Aroostook County: Saturday, February 21 from 9 am to 6 pm
• Location: Opportunity Training Center Next Steps Building at 180 Houlton Rd. Presque Isle
• Donations Accepted Until: Feb. 19 at Community Action Customer Service Center, 771 Main Street Presque Isle

How to Participate:

• For Students: Simply come to our event on the designated day to browse and choose from a variety of beautiful prom dresses.
• For Donors: Drop off your gently used prom dresses at our Community Action Presque Isle Customer Service Center (near Walmart) by February 19.

Other Cinderella Project events will be popping up around the state throughout the spring. For the Downeast and Midcoast Maine, an event is scheduled for April 17 and 18 at the Mermaid Plaza in Searsport. More information including a link to register will be shared as soon as available!

Community Action in Aroostook, Washington & Hancock Counties (CAAWHC) emergency heating assistance is available for households in crisis, and applications continue to be taken for Heating Assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). With estimates of hundreds of households across the three counties who are eligible to receive assistance, but have not applied, CAAWHC are encouraging people to make an appointment or apply online as now is an ideal time with processing numbers winding down for the season.

The Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), administered by MaineHousing and Maine’s network of community action agencies, including CAAWHC, provides HEAP-eligible households with a one-time benefit of up to $500 for heating assistance when facing a winter emergency. Qualifying situations include having no heat, running out of fuel, or having less than a seven-day supply—such as being below a quarter tank of heating oil or less than 50% of a propane tank.

For traditional HEAP supplemental energy assistance, households can begin the application process online at www.mainehousing.org by clicking the “Fuel Assistance” button. However, CAAWHC encourages residents in Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties to contact us directly for assistance with emergency fuel or to schedule an appointment to apply for HEAP if they prefer not to apply online.

The number for emergency fuel assistance or to schedule an appointment is 207-768-3053.

Eligibility for HEAP is based on income, family size, and available resources (see income eligibility for current season below). Most applicants must have a household income below 150% of the federal poverty guideline or 60% of the state median income. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply early. Applications will remain open through spring 2026 or until funding is exhausted.

Downeast Digest- Friendship Cottage has been a lifeline for hundreds of families who care for aging and dependent adults, including those with dementia, stroke, and other disabilities. The adult day services offered on-site at the Blue Hill facility are critical, because there are no public long-term care facilities in Hancock County. Read More...

Washington and Hancock County neighbors, If you’ve been on a home weatherization and repair waitlist and still need assistance, we’d love to hear from you. Please give our team a quick call at (207) 764‑3721 ext. 223 so we can make sure you’re still on the list. Your call helps us keep things moving and get services to those who need them most!

Downeast Rainbow Alliance (DRA) is a coalition of young adults, health care workers, educators, organizers, LGBTQ2IA+ community members, and allies working together to support queer and trans people across Washington County and Passamaquoddy Territory. Their mission centers on advocacy, education, community connection, and inclusive programming for all ages.

DRA welcomes new members and holds regular meetings on the second Monday of each month, available both online and in person at the Cobscook Institute. For more information visit: https://downeastrainbowalliance.com/ 

We’re honored to be Hannaford’s February partner in their 𝘍𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 Bag Program. Every “Fight Hunger” reusable bag sold at 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 Fort Kent (62 West Main St. Ste 101, Fort Kent) sends $1 directly to support the Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties Community Cupboard program, most notably the one in Fort Kent! 

SNAPSHOTS OF THE WEEK

Children at St. Croix Early Care & Education Center on the campus of Washington County Community College in Calais are learning about friendship during the month of February by participating in Hearts Across America. As part of their friendship activities, they are writing letters to Head Start preschools around the country and tracking the replies they receive by putting a pin in each location on a map.

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