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Oh What Fun...Festival of Trees!
KVCAP was thrilled to participate in both the Waterville and the Skowhegan Festival of Trees this year!
Waterville's event raised over $190,000 and entertained more than 4,000 visitors a day! The proceeds will help end food insecurity and support workforce development in the greater Waterville area through programming at the Alfond Youth & Community Center and the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. See all the tree winners and sponsors HERE.
We are grateful to all our donors who supported our "May the Course Be With You" golf tree, which had a total value of $2,230!
- Cobbossee Colony Golf Course—Monmouth
- Herman Meadow Golf Club—Bangor
- Lakewood Golf Course—Madison
- Natanis Golf Course—Vassalboro
- Val Halla Golf Course—Cumberland
- Joseph’s Sporting Goods
- Pride Manufacturing Company LLC
- Skowhegan Rotary Club & Gail Gibson
This year was Skowhegan's first annual Tree Festival and showcased 23 unique trees! KVCAP's tree was puzzle-themed and included a wooden puzzle tray handmade by Chuck Lakin. The proceeds from this event will benefit Somerset Hospice Volunteers. View the tree winners HERE. |
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KVCAP takes the Puzzle out of Social Services at the
Skowhegan Festival of Trees! |
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Dry Bottoms = Healthier Babies!
KVCAP's Family Enrichment Councils in Kennebec and Somerset County hosted a diaper drive in October and November. Combined they have collected more than 45,000 diapers to date. We are grateful for all of the amazing community support to address this vital need!
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| Each Council partnered with local law enforcement agencies to hold "Stuff the Cruiser" events in several locations, including Skowhegan, Madison, Pittsfield, Waterville and Oakland. In addition to these events, there was incredible support from students at the Skowhegan Area Middle School, GFWC Semper Fidelis Club, Warsaw Middle School JMG, Puritan, Cianbro, Northeast Planning, the Family Medicine Institute, Augusta Kiwanis Club, numerous community members, and other area businesses!
The Red Barn in Augusta is holding a drive through the end of December. Laura, the restaurant owner, has vowed to match all of the diaper donations received, essentially doubling the final count! |
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| (left to right) Michele Prince, KVCAP COO, Augusta Kiwanis members: Sherry Gregory, Carrie Arsenault, Jen Coffin |
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Why our diaper drive is so important:
- 1 in 3 families struggle with diaper need.
- 5.2 million babies and toddlers under the age of 3 live in poor and low-income families.
- Government safety-net programs do not recognize diapers as a basic need.
- Diapers cannot be obtained with food stamps, and are classified with cigarettes, alcohol and pet food as disallowed purchases.
- Diaper need impacts the physical, mental and economic well-being of children and parents.
- Most child care centers require parents to provide a day’s supply of disposable diapers (four to six changes during the day). Many parents cannot go to work or school if they can’t leave their babies at child care.
- Infants require up to 12 diapers per day, at a cost of $70 to $80 per month per baby.
- The poorest 20 percent of Americans who buy diapers spend nearly 14% of their post tax income on diapers. (source: Center for Economic and Policy Research, November 23, 2015)
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| If you are in need of diapers for your child, please contact Kristen (Somerset County) at 859-2520 or kristenp@kvcap.org or Amy (Kennebec County) at 859-1578 or afoss@kvcap.org. |
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| Laura is seen stacking diaper donations under her Christmas tree at the Red Barn Restaurant in Augusta |
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We'll Miss You, Sherry!
After completing her most recent term, Sheryl Gregory has retired from KVCAP's Board of Directors. She has been an active, dedicated, and engaged board member since 1997! Throughout the years, Sherry has served on almost every KVCAP Board Committee as well as serving as a member of the Executive Committee since 2011.
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Sherry served two terms as President and oversaw the selection and transition of two CEO’s. Her knowledge of community needs, housing, fuel assistance, and real estate has been an incredible asset to the Board and to staff.
Sherry has mentored countless Board members and assisted with the agency’s Strategic Planning process several times. She has also represented KVCAP at the National Community Action Foundation Legislative Conference and was able to meet with the Maine Congressional Delegation to advocate for not only KVCAP’s programming, but also community action state-wide.
In her 24 years of service it is estimated that Sherry has volunteered 17,600 hours, which totals 733 whole days or 2 years! She cares deeply about the mission of KVCAP, she is compassionate, well spoken, and has a fabulous sense of humor! The KVCAP Board and staff are grateful for her commitment and dedication. She will be greatly missed!
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KVCAP Hires New Chief Administrative Officer
Mikki McFadden was hired as KVCAP's new Chief Administrative Officer in November. In this role Mikki will oversee Human Resources, IT, and agency facilities.
A Maine native, Mikki grew up in Gardiner and graduated from Gardiner High School. She attended the University of Southern Maine where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. |
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| After USM, Mikki moved to Washington D.C. and enrolled at George Washington University, earning her Masters Degree in Legislative Affairs.
Mikki began her career working as a recruiter for a legal firm in D.C. She was most recently employed by Safe Voices, a Lewiston-based non-profit, as the Director of Human Resources and Operations. She is also back in school at USM and has one class to complete before she can test for her national certification by the Society for Human Resources Management.
"I am very mission-driven and find it rewarding to work for organizations that support the issues I believe in," said Mikki. "I am looking forward to meeting all of the employees and learning more about KVCAP's processes, policies, and systems."
Mikki is also a governor-appointed Commissioner for the State of Maine for domestic violence and sexual assault. As a commissioner representing victims, she is helping to shape DV policies across Maine.
Recently married, Mikki and her wife, an artist, live on a farm in Warren. She volunteers regularly throughout Pride month and continues to provide support through the 24-hour DV crisis hotline. In her free time you can usually find her with the farm animals or participating in local craft fairs across the state. |
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A Reason to Smile
At KVCAP Child & Family Services, not only do we offer high-quality early childhood education, we also offer a variety of health services to ensure the children in our programs receive routine, preventative health care!
With the help of Mainely Teeth and Waterville Community Dental Center, we are able to offer on-site dental clinics where children can receive an oral health screening, a dental cleaning, and a fluoride application. Once seen, the children then have a dental home and can continue to receive regular care and treatment at Waterville Community Dental Center even after they move on from our programs!
Strong, healthy primary teeth not only make way for healthy adult teeth to grow, they also help with good nutrition and allow children to learn and play at their highest potential! |
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An Albion preschooler rocks the dental hygienist's sunglasses
during his cleaning! |
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KVCAP's New Skowhegan Office Location
Our new location is 28 Research Drive, off Route 104 in Skowhegan. Employees are no longer working in the Mary Street Building, which is now being transformed into affordable housing! |
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Volunteer Drivers Needed!
Do you have a reliable car, a desire to help others, and some free time? KVCAP Transportation Services is seeking individuals who are ready for a rewarding experience as a KV Van Volunteer Driver.
KV Van Volunteers are used to drive our passengers to medical and social service appointments throughout Maine. Drivers receive a generous mileage reimbursement of $.45/mile for their service. |
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| Potential drivers must pass an eligibility background check to be considered for these positions. To learn more, click HERE.
If you are ready for a productive and rewarding experience, please call Steve Soule at at 859-1631 or 1-800-542-8227, ext. 1631. |
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Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service
If your mobile phone is more than a few years old, you may need to upgrade your device before your mobile provider shuts down its 3G network, to avoid losing service. For more information on your mobile providers' plans for 3G retirement and how you can prepare, contact your provider directly.
What is happening?
Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks, which rely on older technology, to make room for more advanced network services, including 5G. As a result, many older cell phones will be unable to make or receive calls and texts, including calls to 911, or use data services. This will affect 3G mobile phones and certain older 4G mobile phones that do not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE or HD Voice). Learn more about it HERE.
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9 out of 10 families in Maine qualify for the child tax credit.
Does yours?
Even if you have never filed taxes before and have little or no income, you are likely eligible for the child tax credit, which is worth up to $3,600 per child. Learn more.
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Enroll Now Through Maine's Health Insurance Marketplace
Open Enrollment for CoverME.gov health insurance plans is open from now through January 15, 2022. Apply by December 15 for coverage beginning on January 1, 2022. Learn more.
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Get Vaccinated!
Vaccination is the most effective way to protect you and your family from COVID-19.
Adolescents and adults age 16 and older are now eligible to receive a free COVID-19 booster shot, regardless of underlying medical conditions, given either of the following criteria:
- You completed the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series at least six months ago, OR
- You have received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.
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FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.
Learn more. |
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Emergency Rental Assistance
Maine’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program helps pay rent and utility costs for eligible Maine renters. One application could cover rent you owe back to March 2020, three months of future rent, and some unpaid and current utility bills. You could get up to 18 months of help from this program.
Since the first round of Emergency Rental Assistance began in March of 2020, KVCAP has dispersed more than 15 million dollars in funding to prevent evictions for thousands of households in Kennebec and Somerset counties. Rent payments are typically sent directly to landlords.
You can learn more and apply online HERE.
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Job loss due to COVID-19?
OnwardME is a one-stop resource for the people of Maine impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more HERE.
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COVID-19 Community Supports:
Social Supports for COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine
Support is available to ensure that people affected by COVID-19 can safely isolate and quarantine. DHHS has partnered with 30 community agencies, including KVCAP to provide free, temporary help with:
- Grocery and meal delivery
- Shelter and assistance to stay in the home
- Income and rent support through existing programs
- Language and cultural brokering services
- Support for stress and anxiety
- Personal protective equipment (examples include masks, thermometers, and pulse oximeters)
- Transportation services for medical needs
- Outreach and education about COVID-19
- Other necessities.
For more information, click HERE. To request assistance for yourself or someone else, fill out the referral form HERE. |
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Whole Family Coaching
Do you have at least one child in the house under the age of 16 and is at least one adult looking to explore employment or education opportunities? Call today to see if you are financially eligible for this free program. If you are receiving TANF, HEAP, or have children in Head Start you qualify automatically. For more information click HERE or call Amanda (Kennebec County) at 907-8189 or Michelle (Somerset County) at 858-5507. |
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We're Hiring!
KVCAP has several job openings available. We offer competitive wages and excellent benefits.
As an employee, you will receive bi-weekly accrual of paid time off. You may also be eligible to receive comprehensive, affordable health insurance, dental, vision, disability insurance and an employer sponsored retirement plan. BROWSE our current openings and start on the path to a new future!
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