Western
Maine
Community
Action
Community Services
Volunteer Program
Operation
Santa Claus
Gardening
Programs:
Seeds of Life
Grow-a-Row
Gleaning
Farm Shares
Food Pantries
Tax Assistance
Program
Family
Development
Accounts
Energy and Housing
Resources
Fuel Assistance
Weatherization
Home Ownership
Education
Energy
Crisis
Intervention
Low
Income
Assist Program
CMP Line
Extension
Central Heating
Improvement
Above Ground
Storage Tank
Telephone
Lifeline Program
Appliance
Replacement
Elderly Hardship
Grants
Housing
Revolving Loan
Septic System
Loans
Maine
American
Dream
Initiative
Information and
Referal
Western Maine
Community Action
Health Services
Family Planning &
Reproductive
Health
Family Life
Education
Outreach
LGBTQ Youth
Special Projects
Our Locations
Nutrition Services
WIC
Child Care
Food Program
Employment and Training
Business Services
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Assessment and
Consultation
Training
Assistance
Workshops
Apprenticeships
On-the-Job
Training
Job Placement
The Community Services Department of WMCA administers a variety of programs and is always in need of volunteers.
Volunteer Program- We offer training and support for all volunteers. Volunteering feels good. Volunteering can strengthen your community and your family. We provide the location, the project, the materials, and often, even light refreshments!
Social opportunities - Meet others and make new friends. Or, bring a friend! Use time efficiently. Use volunteer time to get together with someone you’ve been meaning to contact. Your time can be rewarding in many ways.
Make it a family affair – Create a special family project that helps others while building special memories. Operation Santa Claus is a good example of a project that works for family members young and old.
The Volunteer Program
provides outreach, education and administrative support to the entire
agency. The purpose of the Volunteer Program is the same as our agency
purpose--to further our mission. The Volunteer Program is supported fully
or in part from federal, county, local, corporate and individual funds,
fundraising activities, and the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area.
Looking for ways to get connected? Whether your interest is as an individual or on behalf of your business, whether you have a few hours or a few weeks, contact us today. We can talk about future events, or activities available right now.
Operation Santa Claus- Is a program sponsored by WMCA, in partnership with the Franklin Journal/Livermore Falls Advertiser and WKTJ Radio station. The program provides gifts of toys, clothing and needed items to children and older seniors of Franklin County plus Livermore Falls, Maine. It is supported by donations of cash and gifts from individuals and businesses, and in part from the Franklin County Commissioners and the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, and from fundraising events and activities. Donations of time from volunteering individuals and groups provide the labor and person power to perform the project work.
The program includes “Seeds of Life” which provides people with vegetable, flower and herb seeds and seedlings for garden planting and growing. "Gleaning" is a program in which the growers share excess vegetables from their gardens with local area food pantries. “Senior Farm Share” is a program that supports local farmers by purchasing fresh produce at wholesale prices and distributing them to seniors through the area’s ten food pantries. WMCA Volunteers provide labor support for this program. Both the “Gleaning” and "Senior Farm Share" programs tie WMCA volunteers as pickers for area gardeners and farmers who are willing to donate their excess unpicked fruits and vegetables to our food pantries.
Gardening programs are essentially unfunded and therefore made possible solely by donations of goods and services through fundraising efforts. Gardening programs provide vital support to food pantries, and the demand on them lessens when people are able to produce their own fresh produce. WMCA welcomes anyone interested in using or supporting these programs to contact the Community Services Program Manager.
Food Pantries-TEFAP-
Community Services
coordinates this United States Department of Agriculture commodity food
program, offered through the Maine Department of Agriculture. Deliveries of
food are distributed to the ten food pantries of Franklin County and
Livermore Falls for income-eligible residents. WMCA Community Services also
works with the Good Shepherd Food Bank to supplement food deliveries to the
food banks. Donations are always needed and appreciated.
Western Maine Tax Assistance Program- Volunteers
available to assist with tax preparation.
A Family Development Account (FDA) This is an excellent opportunity to receive a 2:1 matched savings account that you open at a local bank or credit union. For every dollar you save, the FDA Coalition matches it with two additional dollars to assist low-income families in building assets and establish a habit of regular savings. Eligible participants create a savings plan and choose an asset goal. Funds are available now for a college education, buying a home or investing in a self-owned business. While participants are saving, we’ll give them guidance on how to save and manage their money effectively, how to build good credit, and how to manage their purchase successfully once they reach their goal. “Dreams Start Here"
For more information on any of the programs listed here
please
email
jbuchanan@wmca.org
0r call 645-3764 or 1-800-645-9636
Income
Guidelines
Food Banks & Gardening Programs
(150% of poverty)
Family Income
Size Level
1
$14,700
2 $19.800
3 $24,900
4 $30,000
for each
additional person, add $5,100
Senior
FarmShare, Family Development, Operation Santa Claus
(200% of poverty)
Family Income
Size Level
1 $19,600
2 $26,400
3 $33,200
4 $40,000
for each
additional person, add $5,100
