CARIBOU, Maine — Four members of Team Rubicon, an international non-profit dedicated to providing relief to communities in need, stopped by the Dahlgren-Skidgel Farm of Hope in Caribou last weekend to help prepare the shelters for winter.
The Dahlgren-Skidgel Farm of Hope, named after two local Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, is an effort that United Veterans of Maine President John DeVeau is spearheading, and the facility offers a unique, self-sustaining form of support for veterans and their families. Not only does the facility provide shelters for homeless veterans suffering from addiction or mental health issues, but it also provides work at an adjacent farm so they can earn their own income. The farm work will also help fund and sustain the facility itself.
DeVeau said on Saturday that Aroostook Emergency Management Agency Director Darren Woods was responsible for Team Rubicon’s assistance.
Cylissa Mowatt, Maine state membership coordinator for Team Rubicon, said she and the crew initially came up to Aroostook County in the spring to address some flooding issues resulting from an ice dam breaking, and Woods suggested they look into the Farm of Hope before heading back to Portland.
Mowatt said work on the farm “lined up perfectly with what we do for Team Rubicon.”
DeVeau approved the results.
“It’s going very well,” he said, “even better than I expected. Whenever we can get some quality help, it’s always a plus for us. I just can’t express enough appreciation for the team coming out.”
DeVeau said that the crew’s main task on Saturday was to install wood siding on the buildings to further insulate them for the winter.
Two of the four buildings, which are each equipped to house two people, are complete, and work primarily focused on the remaining two. Once the group finishes the outside, DeVeau said they will be ready to lay down the floor.
He added that he is “not going to give a deadline” for a projected completion date.
Mowatt said that veterans and first responders mostly comprise Team Rubicon, but the organization is open to anyone who wishes to join, adding that their primary goals include responding to disasters, cleaning up houses, and helping people back on their feet.
DeVeau said he was thankful for their assistance and that he would like to see the Farm of Hope become a valuable community resource for many years.
“We appreciate all the community support we’ve been receiving, and we’re looking forward to being here for a long time assisting veterans,” said DeVeau.
