Aroostook County Action Program is ushering in a new era of service delivery with the official launch of its Mobile Service Unit — the centerpiece event of this year’s Community Action Month celebration. The innovative MSU will expand access to vital services for residents in some of the most rural and underserved parts of Aroostook County.
ACAP’s Mobile Service Unit is a fully equipped outreach vehicle designed to eliminate transportation and access barriers by bringing programs directly to communities across the region. Services provided will include employment and education support, energy and housing resources, nutrition assistance, and more.
The rollout event in downtown Van Buren at 51 Main St., the site of the former town office, is set for May 9 beginning at 10 a.m. In addition to the MSU launch, the event will also serve as the official opening, complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony for The CONNECT Space, a newly renovated digital access room in Van Buren’s future Community Connectivity HUB.
The Mobile Service Unit addresses long-standing geographic barriers to accessing critical resources. Funded in part through a Congressionally Directed Spending allocation secured by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, the MSU will improve service equity and empower communities by meeting residents where they are.
The MSU rollout headlines ACAP’s marking of Community Action Month, a nationwide celebration of the transformational work done by Community Action Agencies to build opportunity and economic stability for low-income families. The unit will travel to other communities through the rest of the month of May, as well as throughout the summer and fall months.
“Community Action Month is a time to recognize the vital work happening every day to strengthen our communities,” said Jason Parent, executive director/CEO of ACAP. “From launching mobile outreach, to training new homebuyers and supporting educators of pre school age children, to engaging in critical conversations about the delivery of services by non-profit organizations in rural Aroostook County, ACAP is committed to meeting the unique needs of Aroostook County families with flexible, accessible solutions.”
In 2024 ACAP served more than 13,000 people across Aroostook County, offering support in areas including early childhood education, housing, food security, health access and job readiness.
The Community Action Network, of which ACAP is a part, is a robust state and local force that helps empower hardworking families to achieve economic and social mobility rather than keeping them reliant on government assistance. There are nearly 1,000 agencies across the country working every day to create economic opportunity, strengthen local communities and help families find pathways to prosperity.
ACAP and Community Action Agencies nationwide ensure that hard-working families have access to the opportunities they need to thrive, while also promoting local economic growth and reducing government dependency. All agencies are locally controlled with boards of directors composed of local elected officials, private and public sector representatives, and engaged community residents.
Other highlight ACAP (and partner) Community Action Month events:
Aroostook Early Childhood Conference Saturday, May 3 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Northern Maine Community College, Presque Isle. A gathering for educators and professionals focused on early childhood development, with interactive sessions and expert speakers.
Homebuyer Education Class Saturday, May 10 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ACAP Customer Service Center 771 Main St. Presque Isle. A one-day course helping future homeowners prepare for the home-buying journey.
Maine Association of Nonprofits Community Forum: Presque Isle Thursday, May 15 1–4 p.m. Aroostook Agency on Aging 260 Main St. Presque Isle. A community forum discussing nonprofit leadership, collaboration, and service delivery in rural regions.
