County’s Care & Comfort team
presents gift to the Hope & Justice Project
Over the past decade, light has been shed on just how far-reaching domestic abuse is in Aroostook County. While overall statistics for those impacted are staggering, it is important to remember that these are not just numbers and facts. They tell the story of real people, individuals who are victims — an individual who may be your sister, your neighbor, your co-worker, that great kid you see riding his bike every day, or it may be you.
Photo courtesy of Barbara Cyr
DONATION — Members of Care & Comfort’s Aroostook County team presented a check to the Hope & Justice Project during their annual summer Staff Appreciation Day held at Mantle Lake in Presque Isle. Pictured from left, in the front row: Leo Giguere; Sue Giguere; Danielle Perry; Chris
Morse; Tammy Albert, Hope & Justice Project; and Monique Cormier. In back: Marcel Daigle, Jen Cyr, Sue Watson, Lee Jellison, Shirley Hafford and Elena Cyr.
Assistance and resources for victims are critical, which is the reason Care & Comfort and the employees of the business’ Presque Isle branch chose the Hope & Justice Project as beneficiaries of their semiannual Jean Fund gift of $900 which was presented during the company’s summer Staff Appreciation Day picnic.
“We all wish we lived in a world where domestic violence did not exist; unfortunately, we do not. I am so pleased our staff selected this organization that for over 30 years has been working to break the cycle of violence and empower survivors as they rebuild their lives,” commented Care & Comfort’s CEO and founder Susan D. Giguere, of the donation.
The Project’s mission is to help those whose relationships are affected by abuse and violence and provide prevention education and training programs that encourage and support safe relationships. Additionally, they assist community members in recognizing and understanding the nature of abuse and violence, to help repair harm done, and to change the social conditions that tolerate and foster violence.
“At Hope & Justice Project, we work with over 1,000 people in Aroostook County per year. We couldn’t do the work that we do without the generosity and support of our community. Thank you so much to Care & Comfort and the thoughtful individuals who work there,” said Tammy Albert, who accepted the check on behalf of the Hope and Justice Project.
Following the presentation, Care & Comfort’s Presque Isle branch manager, Marcel Daigle remarked, “We’ve been made aware that the last few years have been very difficult for far too many in Aroostook County as there has been an upward trend in the number and severity of abuse incidents. The Hope & Justice Project is at the forefront in the effort to make the future less tragic and bring hope to those affected. We are glad to contribute to help them meet this challenge.”
One of Maine’s largest Home Health and Mental Health service agencies, Care & Comfort and their 600 employees statewide have been providing a broad range of home- and community-based services to individuals and families throughout 14 Maine counties for over 20 years. This contribution was made possible through proceeds from the Jeans Day Fund, an ongoing collaborative fund-raising effort between Care & Comfort and its employees that began 13 years ago. On Fridays, staff may leave their usual work attire at home and wear jeans for a $2 donation. The company matches every dollar raised, and the employees of each of their five branches select local recipients semi-annually.
