KVCAP recognizes 12 outstanding citizens
Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
WATERVILLE — On Nov. 19, at the annual meeting of the KVCAP board of directors, held at the Waterville Elks Lodge, 12 outstanding citizens were acknowledged and applauded for their accomplishments in building a stronger community.
We are proud of their accomplishments and want the whole community to know about it, said Sheryl Gregory, KVCAP board president.The Community Leader Award was presented to Tony Krapf, superintendent of schools for SAD 59, in appreciation for his leadership and vision for Project 2021, greatly influencing the future of the children, families and community of SAD 59.
Krapf and other members of the community have proven they value the education of their children by joining Head Start with the public elementary school in Madison. Project 2021 provides the framework for understanding and communicating a common set of hopes and expectations for the 4-year-olds that entered the new Madison Elementary School in the fall of 2002, and ideally, will be graduating from college in the year 2021.
In collaboration with KVCAP, businesses and the broader Madison community, the Project 2021 effort will focus on helping children meet the expectations of successfully completing college and returning to Somerset County to work and contribute to a vibrant economy.
I have worked with KVCAP for many years, and during that time we have enjoyed many successes. Project 2021 is by far the dearest to my heart, knowing the great impact it will have on the lives of our children, said Krapf.
The Community Teamwork Award was presented to the advisory board of the KVCAP Rural Somerset County Replacement Housing Program, consisting of Ray Arbour of Chelsea, Perley Beane of Waterville, Yvonne Burris of Anson, Clyde Dyar of Mt. Vernon, Pamela Hall of Winslow, Cathy Parker of China, and Fay Stevens of Benton, for their outstanding collaborative approach to implement a successful pilot program in Somerset County. This program replaced 13 sub-standard, single-family homes, greatly improving the lives of those families and their children.
KVCAP, in partnership with the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, received a $500,000 grant from the HUD Rural Housing and Economic Development to implement the replacement housing program. They replaced severely deteriorated, substandard homes, where rehabilitation was not a cost-effective response.
KVCAP and DECD worked with the Maine State Housing Authority, which also contributed $300,000 to the project, and Rural Development to develop a model to be replicated elsewhere in the state. Thanks to the success of the advisory board, 13 families and their children in Somerset County are enjoying a safe, warm home they are proud to call their own.
The Individual Achievement Award was presented to three single mothers, Kerri Jones, Lisa Thomas and Heather Wells, who participate in the KVCAP Families in Transition program, to acknowledge their outstanding efforts and achievements in pursuit of educational goals. These three women took advantage of the safe, affordable housing and supportive case management services provided by KVCAP to set and pursue goals that will enable them to support themselves and their families.
By assisting, inspiring and motivating me to achieve success and realize my dream, this social work program has helped the community through me, said a participant.
Jones entered into the FIT program when she was pregnant with her second child. She had some experience in the medical field and wished to continue her studies in this area. With her FIT case manager, she received information and encouragement to help her succeed at this goal. She also was supported by her grandmother. She graduated magna cum laude in 2002 from Husson College with a bachelor's degree in Nursing, and is now employed at Sebasticook Valley Hospital.
Thomas was expecting her first child when she entered the FIT program. With her case manager she created a plan for self-sufficiency that included part-time work and attending classes. Later she decided to stop working in order to devote more energy to school and spend more time with her infant daughter. Thomas is now attending Thomas College. She has an associate's degree in business administration that she earned in 1992. She will earn her bachelor's degree in management information systems in 2004.
Wells decided to attend college so she could support herself and her family and be a positive role model for her two children. Through her work with the FIT case manager, she received support services and an introduction to the field of social services. Wells is attending the University of Maine at Augusta. She earned an associate's degree in social services in 2000, summa cum laude. She is now serving a full-time internship at Bangor Mental Health Institute. This year, she will earn a bachelor's degree in mental health and human services.
KVCAP has been working for Maine families for 37 years. They have been able to reinvent themselves as our society has changed over those years. They are as fresh and meaningful today as they were 37 years ago. I look forward to working with KVCAP for another 37 years to improve the lives of Mainers, said the Maine House Speaker-elect, Rep. Patrick Colwell, also a past KVCAP board member, who was the guest speaker.
Outgoing board member Pamela Hall of Winslow was recognized for her seven years of service, while Bruce Moody of Waterville was welcomed to the board as the KVCAP Head Start Policy Council representative. Sheryl Gregory was honored for two years of service as board president, while Theresa Sirois of Madison was welcomed as the new board president.
For more information about KVCAP services, call Jody Leary at 859-1644 or (800) 542-8227.