By Tammie Mulvey
Houlton Rotary Club
HOULTON — April Flagg, executive director for Aroostook Aspirations, was the guest speaker at the Houlton Rotary Club July 7. Flagg said she wanted to take some time to really introduce her program and its many components.
Contributed photo/Michael Clark
GUEST SPEAKER — April Flagg, executive director for Aroostook Aspirations, second from left, was the guest speaker at the Houlton Rotary Club July 7. With Flagg are, from left, President Amy Hocking, Sandy Gauvin, Aroostook Aspirations founder and Jane Torres, Rotary Club vice president.
“We are so delighted to have the chance to so speak with you,” Flagg said. “Aroostook Aspirations is not a scholarship program. We are a program that offers a scholarship as a part of the support we provide our scholars with. In addition to the scholarship, we have weekend retreats with the students, SHANTE (skills, habits, assets, networking, teamwork, and education.”
This first event with scholars allows them to get to know each other and the staff and to review some of the expectations they will face in college.
“We also prepare them for our next event, a formal gala to celebrate their successes and to raise money for our program,” Flagg said.
Following the gala, Heidi’s Hope, an innovative concept involving service, will occur on Oct. 18. Rotary, and especial the Houlton division, is well know for its continued generosity both with time and financial resources.
“We wanted to share with the members there that we are filling a need in the County — a more educated and skilled work force, and we are offering a solution to problems that plague our region such as poverty and unemployment or underemployment, and outward migration,” Flagg said. “Our program wants to fit the need, but we also want to assure that the level of need decreases over time. An educated and skilled workforce is key to that goal. Our program is working to address the underlying issues in Aroostook: poverty, unemployment, and outward migration. Our program is a longterm strategic response to these challenges.”
For more information please call April at 207-760-0558, or email her at april.flagg @gmail.com or visit their website and Facebook page.
