Two new resources that will connect people across Aroostook County were launched on Friday, including a new vehicle that a community service agency will use to visit its clients across the large, rural region.
During a ceremony, Aroostook County Action Program launched its mobile service unit, a new fully-equipped bus-sized vehicle that will travel across The County to deliver its services, such as nutritional and health care assistance, and support with housing and employment.
At the same time, the town of Van Buren also launched its own initiative: its new CONNECT space, in which people can host meetings both in-person and virtually, attend classes and access computers.
ACAP Executive Director and CEO Jason Parent said the mobile service unit will help more people throughout all of Aroostook County access much-needed services.
He said that with The County being the largest geographic county east of the Mississippi River and having a population of over 67,000, it’s impossible to have an office and presence in each community. The mobile unit will help ACAP more easily reach the entire region.
“The MSU is more than a vehicle — it’s a commitment to all of the communities and people across our region,” Parent said, “allowing us to bring comprehensive services directly to where they live.”
U.S. Senator Susan Collins helped secure $643,000 in federal funding for the unit, and spoke to guests attending the ceremony on Friday morning via video message displayed on the side of the unit.
In Van Buren, the CONNECT space is located in the parking lot of Van Buren’s former town office building on Main Street, which is where the service unit was also parked for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Van Buren Town Manager Luke Dyer said the CONNECT space will allow for learning, sharing ideas and collaborating with others. The town has seen ongoing revitalization efforts over the past few years, and Dyer said this initiative reflects exactly what he and community leaders are working towards.
“We are reconnecting people with opportunity, neighbors with neighbors and Van Buren with a renewed sense of place and possibility,” he said.
Collins said it was significant that the new mobile service unit was being celebrated at the site of the CONNECT center, as both initiatives will help individuals stay connected.
“This investment will pay great dividends by lifting up those in need,” Collins said in the video message, and by helping to provide a brighter future for The County. Congratulations on this achievement, and I look forward to our continued work together.”
ACAP will develop a full calendar for the service unit through the summer and fall. It will make another appearance in Van Buren on Monday, May 12, and then head up to Grand Isle on May 13.
