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A Day in The Life -

An Inside Look at a Day in the Life of Heidi Finson, Lead Teacher at Penquis Child Development Center, Milo, ME

 Heidi

The alarm goes off at 4:45 am. I hit the snooze button and lay there a few minutes, saying a prayer in hopes that I will have understanding to hear what the parents and children are saying, insight to share with the staff and compassion to give to all those with whom I have contact. Then the alarm goes off again and my feet hit the floor.

 

My first stop of the day is the Kiwanis meeting. I love being a part of an organization where young children are a priority. Kiwanis supports Penquis Head Start with the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program. Kiwanis also donates time and other resources to projects such as the new playground. At this meeting, I start to plan how to distribute the three free books that the children will get through RIF.

 

As I arrive at our Head Start Center, my first order of business is to ensure that everything is safe and ready for the day. Has it been shoveled? Is there any ice on the steps? Did Mother Nature leave any safety hazards in our play area? I make my way inside. The heat is on, the lights are working and it's full steam ahead. We are ready!

 

My favorite part of the day is greeting the parents and children as they arrive. It's not every job that you get hugs first thing in the morning.  Read More....

 

Online Helpline  

Rape Response Services recently launched a new website that offers an Online Helpline. During open hours, the Online Helpline is staffed by trained advocates who are available to answer questions and communicate privately with people who access the Online Helpline system. Online Helpline hours are posted on the Rape Response Services website.

 

The project was made possible by the Maine Community Foundation, which provided awards of $2,500 from the Piscataquis County Fund, $3,319 from the Penobscot County Fund and $4,000 from the Penobscot Valley Health Association Fund.  Read More...

MaineStream Finance Helps Cultivate Business for Organic Dairy Farm
MaineStream Financeis pleased to have provided a 30-year fixed rate mortgage refinance for a couple who own an organic dairy farm. Balfour Farm is a certified organic dairy in Pittsfield, Maine. In December of 2010, Doug and Heather Donahue purchased a 100-acre farm on the Webb Road in Pittsfield. Their farm has caught the attention of the Boston Globe, WABI TV news, County Folks Magazine and the Bangor Daily News.  Read More...
Lynx Transportation Offers Transportation Options for People Living with Disabilities 

 

Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner,

David Bernhardt, along with representatives from Congressman Michaud and Senator Collins offices, joinedLynx Penquis for a press conference to announce the state's first expansion of ADA services using funding from New Freedom, a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) program to reduce transportation barriers for individuals with disabilities. In a competitive application, Penquis was awarded $222,331 in FTA funding for its mobility management initiatives.  Read More...

More Housing on the Way 

 

Construction of Straw Way Family Housing in Ellsworth is underway. Work on the 29 unit family housing project began in the middle of December 2011, typically not the most advantageous time of year to erect an affordable housing project, but we have taken advantage of the mild winter.

 

The project consists of five buildings and a small community center. During the winter months the buildings are pre-fabricated indoors. To date three of the structures have been built and the project is anticipated to be completed by September 2012.

 

Another Penquis affordable housing initiative is Chamberlain Place Senior Housing in Brewer. This is a 32 unit senior project being developed for the Brewer Housing Authority. The project is expected to go out to bid for a General Contractor in April, with a May/June construction start date. This project has been a long time coming, but, in the end, the mission to provide affordable housing to our low and moderate income seniors will be accomplished.
Brewer

Winter 2012 

In This Issue
A Day in the Life
Rape Response Services Offers Online Helpline
MaineStream Finance Boosts New Business
New Transportation Options for People with Disabilities
More Housing on the Way

 

 

Penquis Annual Report Available Here

   

 

GNF- no tag
Good Neighbors Give a Grand Total of $247,645

 

With cuts in the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) and ongoing economic challenges, the need to help families stay warm has never been greater. Fortunately, hundreds of individuals, organizations and businesses answered the call, coming together to raise nearly $250,000 to help families in Penobscot, Piscataquis and Knox counties heat their homes.

 

Close to 14,000 applications have been completed and approximately 2,000 people who requested heating assistance were not eligible for LiHEAP. Needless to say, donations are put to good and immediate use. So far this season over 525 households have received help through the Good Neighbor Fund. Sincere thanks go out to those who put efforts into not only raising money but also raising awareness. 
 
 

WZON 620 and 103.1 FM Pulse hosted live broadcasts collecting donations from a chilly custom built hobbit hole late in November. Radio host Pat LaMarche spent the week outside in the wooden structure, with a blanket, both day and night to raise awareness of how cold it can get for people with no heat. Author and owner of the radio station, Stephen King, committed to match all donations up to $70,000Read More...

 

  

Knox County Efforts to Keep Maine Warm

In mid-October, the Knox County Republicans proposed to the Knox County Democratic Committee that the two organizations come together to Help Heat Homes. Through a variety of endeavors, hard work and generosity, these efforts to date have raised $34,708.19 to help heat homes in Knox County.  

   

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