Andy Michalka
PRESQUE ISLE — The Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. (ACAP) has been working for several months with the Helping Hands Board of Directors and United Way of Aroostook, a Helping Hands funding source, to ensure emergency services to those in need continue after Dec. 31, when Helping Hands closes.
“For many years families in crisis have sought the services of Helping Hands,” said Patty Perry, Helping Hands board chair. “Because the state
notified the program nearly one year ago that funding would end, Helping Hands has been working closely with ACAP and United Way of Aroostook to develop a plan to move forward and keep the services intact.”
This fall the Helping Hands board of directors voted to make the program a part of ACAP. During the transition, ACAP is reaching out to Helping Hands’ supporters, including individual donors, local churches and other organizations.
In addition to the United Way of Aroostook transferring funding to ACAP to administer Helping Hands, a recent grant from the John T. Gorman Foundation has helped secure the resources required to continue the program.
“The Helping Hands board is very pleased that the program and services will continue through ACAP,” said Perry.
“We are also pleased to announce that in late December Andy Michalka accepted the new Helping Hands position at ACAP,” said Christy Daggett, senior manager, ACAP Workforce Development. “Andy oversaw the operation of Helping Hands for 14 years and we look forward to his continued involvement with the program.”
“Families seek ACAP services during the long winter season when choices between food, heat and electricity are often the reality for too many Aroostook County families,” explained Daggett. “Due to federal eligibility criteria, many families either do not qualify for low-income assistance or are scheduled for assistance later in the heating season. When your children are cold now, that help is too far away.
While funding from the Gorman Foundation will not necessarily increase the number of families we serve through Helping Hands, it will allow us the opportunity to work more closely with those families by providing case management services,” she said.
By offering this support to customers, ACAP hopes to help eliminate future emergencies. Services may include budgeting, job training or counseling assistance, and provision of other services that help individuals meet their goals toward self-sufficiency.
