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Getting Ahead Takes Hard Work and Support
What do you do when life gets you down? Get back up and keep on trying. And that’s exactly what Shay does! As a young adult growing up in Massachusetts, Shay was getting into trouble and finding it difficult to focus on her future. |
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| Shay moved to Louisiana with her boyfriend, but after her son was born, the relationship became unsafe and she knew she needed a change. She moved to Maine and then to Florida. When she found out she was pregnant with her daughter, she decided to come back to Maine, live with her mom, and settle in for the long haul.
Shay enrolled her son Lu’Huan at Educare Central Maine and he was quickly accepted. Her daughter Gi’anni began attending shortly after she was born. Shay believes that the support she has received at Educare has made a huge difference in how quickly she has succeeded in reaching her immediate goals. Shay quickly obtained her CNA certificate and began working in the home health field. She then decided to pursue further education and earned her Behavioral Health Professional certificate in record time! She is now working in that field and fully enjoys it.
Sharon Lessard, Shay’s Family Service Coordinator at Educare, also helped her obtain affordable housing. She is proud to be living in her own apartment for the past sixteen months. When the pandemic hit and Shay’s hours were drastically cut, she received financial assistance through KVCAP, which helped keep her from falling too far behind. Her biggest goal now is saving for a new car, since her current vehicle is old and on its last leg.
When asked to describe her, Sharon stated, “Shay is a real go-getter. Nothing is going to get in her way. She works hard and makes good things happen. She’s a beautiful person, inside and out!”
We wish Shay, her children, and her partner, Robert, the very best of luck as they continue their journey growing together. |
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Senior Housing Breaks Ground in Hartland
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| KVCAP is spearheading a new senior affordable housing project in Hartland, which broke ground in December 2020. The 30-unit apartment complex, located in Hartland Commons, is next door to the old Hartland Elementary School, and is steps away from the Community Center, which was built in partnership with KVCAP in the 1990’s.
The Community Center houses a large gymnasium with a basketball court and provides activities for children and adults, including recreational activities, bingo games, concerts and continuing education opportunities. The new library will be moving to Hartland Commons as well. Dollar General is located across the street, and both the Town Office and Hannaford are within walking distance, providing a plethora of resources for residents.
The project is being funded by multiple sources, including MaineHousing, Evernorth, Bangor Savings Bank, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and a Community Development Block Grant from the State of Maine. The lead architect is Whipple Callender Architects and E.W. Littlefield is coordinating all construction efforts.
The apartments will offer a combination of energy-efficient one and two bedroom units, with one laundry area per floor. The project is expected to be completed by late 2021. People age 55 and over that would like more information or to get on the waiting list for an apartment should contact C&C Realty Management by email at: info@ccrealtymanagement or by calling 207-621-7700 or toll-free at 1-866-621-7705. |
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Holiday Generosity
Overflows in 2020!
The Covid-19 pandemic created a number of financial challenges for so many of the families in our region. But thanks to the overflowing generosity of some dedicated community members, we were able to ensure that the children and teens we work with had gifts under the tree this year! |
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| Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the United Bikers of Maine was not able to host their Annual Toy Run this past spring.Instead they collected monetary donations across the state and distributed them to nonprofits. KVCAP was thrilled to receive an $8,000 check to purchase gifts for children in need. |
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| A local chapter of the Chrome Angelz, an all-female motorcycle riding club, held a smaller Toy Run at the Red Barn in Augusta and collected a wide variety of toys for us to distribute as well.
The Faith Free Evangelical Church in Waterville sponsored three teens and gave them each some fantastic gifts to celebrate the holiday. |
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| In December, the Skowhegan Fire Department sponsored three of our families who faced a bleak Christmas this year, providing baskets that were generously filled with food, gift certificates to stores and restaurants, food, toys and other items. |
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| Lastly, a retired couple who love helping children donated a vast array of toys for us to give out to our families. They have provided toys for many years, but wish to continue as anonymous contributors.
Thank you to all who helped to make some special holiday memories during this very challenging year. You are amazing! |
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Head Start Dental Care featured on WABI
"KVCAP provides dental services to children in Head Start Program"
WATERVILLE, Maine (WABI) - KVCAP in Waterville is helping kids get access to oral health care.
Their Head Start program typically requires kids to brush their teeth twice a day while in preschool or childcare.
Due to the pandemic that requirement has been suspended.
KVCAP partnered with Waterville Community Dental and an independent dental hygienist to create a mobile dental clinic.
Health Coordinator Ayla Allen says it’s important to prioritize oral health especially during the pandemic.
”Thirty-five to 40% of our children enrolled in either our head start programs, early head start programs or partnership programs do not have a dental home,” said Allen.
Allen says their Educare program has seen 60 children initial exams and preventative treatment.
For more information you can head to kvcap.org.
Copyright 2021 WABI. All rights reserved.
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The Explorer – Safety During the Pandemic
At KVCAP, we want to assure everyone that our Kennebec and Somerset Explorer public bus system continues to provide a safe and healthy trip for every rider and driver. |
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Kennebec Savings Bank Helps People Stay Warm
In December, Kennebec Savings Bank presented KVCAP with a generous $5,000 donation for heating assistance. These funds will help people heat their homes when they don’t qualify for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or if they have exhausted their benefits and are still struggling to stay warm throughout the winter season.
One past example of how flexible donations can make an impact is the story of a man in his 50’s who was living in a cabin he built himself. Due to the structure type, he did not qualify for LIHEAP despite being very low-income. Instead, using private funds we were able to supply him with two cords of wood so that he was able to stay warm in his home. Thank you, Kennebec Savings Bank, for caring about our community! |
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KVCAP Head Start Partners With Local Child Care Providers
Utilizing federal funding, KVCAP is leading an Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) in four Central Maine counties.
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Through the EHS-CCP initiative, and with support from MELIG (Maine Early Learning Investment Group) for an Educare 'Beyond the Walls' model, KVCAP currently partners with ten family child care providers and three private centers. This model brings together the best of Early Head Start and community child care by providing comprehensive and continuous services to low-income infants, toddlers, and their families. One primary goal of the initiative is to ensure that there is a well-supported and fully qualified workforce to provide high-quality infant/toddler care and education in our region.
EHS-CCP provides enhanced developmental services and supports for low-income infants, toddlers, and their families, and prepares children for the transition into Head Start and preschool. These child care centers and family child care providers respond to the needs of working families by offering flexible and convenient full-day and full-year services. Providers receive weekly on-site visits from a KVCAP Coach as well as financial resources to help them meet the Head Start Standards and reach their goals. The children receive healthy meals, screenings, and assessments, in safe and engaging environments with caring and knowledgeable providers.
The families involved in this partnership report confidence and a feeling of stability in their childcare arrangements, and they receive resources and support to meet their family goals. We have amazing providers in our network and we feel fortunate to work so closely with them all!
Interested families should call Jackie at 859-1599.
Interested providers in Northern Kennebec and Somerset counties should call Andy at 859-1621.
Click HERE to learn more.
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