St. Albans nonprofit receives $100K grant

ST. ALBANS — SKILLS, Inc. has been named the recipient of a two-year, $100,000 grant from the Point32Health Foundation.

The private foundation award is one of the largest in the local nonprofit’s history.

The grant “provides critical support for our programs that help to foster independence, stability, and belonging for people with disabilities living in central Maine,” said Kristin Overton, executive director of SKILLS, according to a news release from the nonprofit. “We are excited to continue building on our existing services, guided by the belief that everyone in our community deserves the opportunity to lead a full, enriching life.”

For 2024, the grant will support the utilities, maintenance improvements, nutrition, household supplies, program supplies and facilities needs of the 60 people who are living in SKILLS residential homes. Residents are responsible for paying their own room and board, however SKILLS subsidizes more than 15% of each person’s cost of living.

The 2024 funding also will assist the organization in providing for the needs of the 67 people who attend a day program at one of SKILLS’ three community support program locations.

In 2025 the second half of the grant will support SKILLS’ employment services program. This program supports individuals in exploring their talents and interests related to career opportunities, prepares them for the application/interview process, and helps to connect them with vocational training and employers in the area.

SKILLS is one of six organizations in Maine that has been named a grant recipient by the Point32Health Foundation.