Area Teams Finalists in
Maine's Working Communities Challenge
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$25,000 Design Grants Awarded |
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Federal Reserve Bank of Boston |
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The City of Bangor and Piscataquis County/Maine Highlands are among eight teams selected as finalists in Maine's Working Communities Challenge, sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Each received a $25,000 grant to further refine their project over the next six months. Penquis subsidiary MaineStream Finance will be working with the cities of Bangor, Brewer, Old Town and Orono, as well as the Bangor Regional Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Maine Community College, YMCA and New Ventures, to create a possible solution around workforce development and entrepreneurship in the industries of trades/construction and food/agriculture. Penquis and MaineStream will also support Helping Hands with Heart and the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council as they coordinate the Maine Highlands group to “empower and enable people living at or near poverty level to become healthy, independent, and engaged community members.” To learn more, click HERE.
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Knox County Gleaners
Aims to Surpass 2020 Distribution
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Knox County Gleaners, created in January 2019 with the support of the Harvard Pilgrim Healthy Food Fund, is gearing up for the 2021 growing season with a goal of surpassing its gleaning and distribution numbers from 2020. Last season the Gleaners gleaned a total of 19,208 vegetables and distributed them to 18 locations in Knox County that included food pantries, soup kitchens and senior housing facilities along with Pen Bay medical programs. The food gleaned equated to 76,112 servings and $31,776 to our partner locations.
This spring Erickson Fields, our Mainers Feeding Mainers partner, donated maple syrup produced at Aldermere Farm for our pantries! Thank you! This summer we encourage backyard and small farms to grow a row to give to your local food pantry as we strive to put more fresh food into more people’s hands in 2021. For more information on Knox County Gleaners, contact Lorain Francis at 207-974-2432 or lfrancis@penquis.org.
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Community Resource Navigators a "Game Changer" |
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Community Investors of Knox County -- a community collaborative of non-profit organizations in Knox County dedicated to creating ways of helping people directly -- is designing a Community Resource Navigator (CRN) program that will be a “game-changer” in our social service safety net programs. Community Resource Navigators will serve as community responders for information and referral services. CRNs will provide more comprehensive access to resources that contribute to well-being and security, easing the pressures upon both government and private sector service providers. Making navigation services available for Spanish speaking community members and working collaboratively with the eighteen town General Assistance offices spread across Knox County are two of the key components of the program. Two AmeriCorps VISTA members will be hired by early summer to help begin this pilot program.
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Heating Assistance Applications Accepted through July 15 |
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We are still accepting applications for heating assistance through July 15, 2021 for the 2020-2021 heating season. If you have never applied or if you applied prior to August 24, 2020, you may qualify for a heating benefit good until April 30, 2022. You may also be eligible for other benefits such as assistance with utilities. Even if your heat is included in your rent you may receive assistance. Call 207-973-3500. |
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Health Insurance Marketplace: Are you eligible for a discount? |
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Recent changes to the Marketplace tax credit may mean that your cost for premiums will be lower. If you already have a Marketplace plan, call us and we will help you to find out how much lower this will be. This is a result of the recent Rescue Plan that was passed. Huge savings for many, even if you hadn't previously qualified. We also help with MaineCare applications. For free assistance call Theresa Cucinotti at 207-973-3645. |
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Free Transportation to COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments |
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Free transportation to COVID-19 vaccine appointments is available. If you are enrolled in MaineCare and need transportation to get to your vaccine appointment, call your regional broker at the following numbers to schedule your rides: For Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, call 1-855-437-5883. For Kennebec and Somerset counties, call 1-844-736-7847. All other individuals should call 1-855-608-5172. To schedule a ride, call Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm at least 48hrs prior to appointment. |
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Support for Isolation and Quarantine Available |
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Support is available to ensure that people affected by COVID-19 can safely isolate and quarantine. Anyone suspected by a health care provider to have been exposed to the virus, those with a probable or confirmed COVID-19 infection, or those determined by Maine CDC to be a close-contact of a case may be referred for COVID-19 community care support. Maine DHHS also takes referrals for this support from community organizations, clinical care providers, social support agencies and school nurses through a simple form. Maine DHHS typically provides a response the same day, if the referral is received before 6 pm.
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The tax filing season for the IRS and State of Maine has been extended to May 17. If non-filers have not received their federal relief checks (EIP), it is recommended they file taxes for 2020 to ensure they receive the benefit. The following tax preparation assistance is available: |
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1. Dover: the Penquis Dover-Foxcroft site is now open for in-person tax prep sessions from April 16 to April 30. Call Sheree Brown at 974-2440 to schedule an appointment.
2. Bangor: United Way of Eastern Maine has a drop-off site at 700 Main Street – Bangor (near McLaughlins Seafood/Hampden border) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM to 2 PM (no appointment required) through April 22.
3. Searsport: AARP’s site is open through May 13 and has openings – one must call ahead to set-up an appointment: 567-3137.
4. Online: We strongly suggest filing online with GetYourRefund.org or MyFreeTaxes.com if possible. You will still get a call from a trained volunteer, and it is free – this should be available through April 30.
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April is National Fair Housing Month |
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This year, we celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. This landmark law was signed into law on April 11,1968, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and family status. The Act furthers the beliefs advocated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the other heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. |
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If you believe that you have experienced housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or family status, File a Complaint with HUD. When submitting a complaint, please provide as much information as possible, including:
- Your name and address;
- The name and address of the person(s) or organization your complaint is against;
- The address or other identification of the housing or program involved;
- A short description of the event(s) that cause you to believe your rights were violated; and
- The date(s) of the alleged violation.
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Vote to Give: the Final Week! |
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Our team at MaineStream Finance is one of four nonprofits vying for $5,000 through the Machias Savings Bank Vote to Give Campaign. The non-profit with the highest number of votes wins! To help our team at MSF stay in this competition, and support their important work of helping Maine businesses and homeowners, click here https://woobox.com/z4s7ak to select MaineStream Finance then hit submit. Vote today and every day through April 25th. Thank you for your support!
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The "Community" in Community Action! |
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Well over $3,000 worth of items for moms and families were donated by cousins Erin and Courtney in honor of the twin sons Erin lost at birth six years ago. What an amazing way to celebrate their lives and honor their memories. Thank you, Erin and Courtney, and to all who gave to this beautiful legacy for Mason and Marshall! |
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Dale Lee accepts a donation of Comfort Cases to help children entering foster care. Comfort Cases include age-appropriate comforting items such as stuffed animals, soft blankets, soft toys, PJs, etc. that are designed to soothe children during their transition. Thank you! https://www.comfortcases.org/
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National Volunteer Week, April 18-24 |
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It's National Volunteer Week. We are so grateful to all of our volunteers for giving their time and talents to make a difference in our community. We are continually inspired by you and can't thank you enough for all you do!
Volunteer with us! Click HERE for more information!
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Penquis Wears Blue
for Child Abuse Prevention Month
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The Penquis Prevention Council asked people to wear blue in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month and received a wonderful response! Below are just a few of the people (and pets) showing their support for positive childhood experiences for all children! |
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Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2021:
Virtual Connections
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Join Rape Response Services for Teal Talks Thursdays at 3 pm on Facebook LIVE in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
DID YOU KNOW?
Rape Response Services offers free school and community education programs. Check out the list of topics and request a presentation HERE.
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Advancements in Sexual Assault Services |
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Rape Response Services is partnering with AMHC Sexual Assault Services and Sexual Assault Services of Southern Maine to create a virtual statewide support group open to all survivors of sexual violence. To learn more, call (207) 973-3651. For help, call the 24/7 helpline at 1-800-871-7741. |
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Rape Response Services is supporting a new groundbreaking initiative with Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and the Advanced Nursing Education Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program at the University of New England. The program is a telehealth pilot project that connects Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in Training (SIT) with a certified consultant via virtual technology. The objective is to help the Nurse Examiner in training gain confidence and skill at providing trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual violence during a forensic exam. The program helps the SIT complete the steps necessary to become a certified examiner.
Advocates at Rape Response Services provide support and services to survivors in this unique team approach. The advocate's role is to ensure that the survivor understands the program and any questions they might have are answered. We can also help to advocate for the survivor throughout the process. This is a very exciting advancement in our work with forensic examiners and we are thrilled to be a part it.
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Penquis Children's Advocacy Center |
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A "flag of courage" made by a child attending the Penquis Children's Advocacy Center. Every child interviewed at the Penquis Children's Advocacy Center has the opportunity to create their own flag of courage to symbolize their strength and the beginning of the healing process. |
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The Penquis Children’s Advocacy Center (PCAC) opened in 2016 to provide an effective community response to child sexual abuse. We provide support for victims and non-offending family members through a joint investigative process, a comprehensive forensic interview and coordinated follow-up care. It is truly a community effort, operated by a multidisciplinary team that includes the Office of the District Attorney, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, law enforcement, victim services agencies and mental health providers. The goal of the Penquis Children’s Advocacy Center is to promote safety and healing for children and families. Learn more at https://www.penquiscac.org/. |
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Knowledge is Power!
Penquis offers training opportunities for children, parents, professionals and more. See the spring offerings HERE.
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Community Action and You! |
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Penquis | 1-800-215-4942 | 262 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401 | www.penquis.org
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