PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The Mi’kmaq Nation’s Pi’gunji’jg/Little Feathers Head Start Program and Avec Community Action are pleased to announce a new partnership that will bring the two Head Start programs together under one roof while creating new opportunities for collaboration, cultural enrichment and enhanced services for children and families.
Pi’gunji’jg/Little Feathers Head Start has temporarily relocated its classrooms to Avec’s Gouldville Early Care and Education Center in Presque Isle while improvements and upgrades are completed at the Pi’gunji’jg/Little Feathers facility. The arrangement ensures continuity of services for enrolled children and families while opening the door to a unique partnership between two organizations that share a commitment to early childhood education, school readiness, family engagement and community well-being.
The opportunity became possible following the recent relocation of three Avec Head Start classrooms to the new early childhood education center on the campus of Northern Maine Community College, which is being operated by Avec through a partnership with the college. The resulting space at Gouldville created an opportunity for the organizations to come together in a way that benefits both programs and, most importantly, the children and families they serve.
While the immediate purpose of the arrangement is to provide high-quality classroom space during the Pi’gunji’jg/Little Feathers facility improvements, leaders from both organizations say the partnership extends far beyond a shared building.
The agreement establishes opportunities for collaboration in areas including family engagement, nutrition services, transportation, school readiness activities, professional development, community outreach and the sharing of resources and expertise. The partnership is also expected to create efficiencies that allow both programs to maximize resources while maintaining high-quality services for children and families.
“This partnership reflects the very best of what can happen when organizations come together around a common purpose,” Megan Barnes, chief program officer for Avec Community Action, said. “Head Start has always been rooted in the idea of supporting the whole child and the whole family. By sharing resources, expertise and opportunities, we can strengthen services for everyone involved. Beyond the operational benefits, what excites us most is the opportunity for children, families and staff members to learn from one another and build meaningful relationships across cultures and communities.”
A representative of Pi’gunji’jg/Little Feathers Head Start echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the unique opportunities the partnership creates for children enrolled in both programs.
“This collaboration demonstrates the power of community and the importance of working together to support our youngest learners,” Bethann Basso, director of Pi’gunji’jg/Little Feathers Head Start, said. “While our program is temporarily relocating during facility improvements, this partnership allows us to create something much bigger than a shared space. It gives children the opportunity to learn alongside one another, celebrate culture together, and build connections that will stay with them long after this chapter concludes. We are grateful for Avec’s partnership and for the welcoming environment being created for our families and staff.”
One of the most significant aspects of the collaboration will be the cultural learning opportunities available to children in both programs. Through the partnership, Avec’s Head Start students will regularly participate in activities alongside Pi’gunji’jg/Little Feathers students, including daily drumming ceremonies and other cultural experiences that celebrate and honor Mi’kmaq traditions and heritage.
Leaders from both organizations believe these experiences will provide meaningful opportunities for cultural awareness, respect and understanding at an early age while helping children develop a broader appreciation for the diverse communities that make up northern Maine.
The partnership also reflects a shared belief that collaboration can strengthen services across the region. By working together on areas such as food service, transportation, family engagement activities and staffing supports, the organizations are creating efficiencies that allow them to focus more resources on children and families while maintaining the high standards expected of Head Start programs.
Throughout the duration of the arrangement, both programs will maintain their distinct identities, leadership, and educational approaches while working together in ways that enhance opportunities for children and families. The organizations will also coordinate family events, school readiness initiatives, community celebrations and other activities designed to strengthen family engagement and support successful outcomes for children.
Leaders say the partnership represents an innovative example of how organizations can come together to meet community needs while honoring their respective missions and strengths.
At its heart, the collaboration reflects the values shared by both organizations: supporting children during their most important years of development, empowering families, celebrating culture and building strong communities through partnership.
For the children arriving each day at Gouldville, it means more than a temporary change of location. It means new friendships, new experiences and new opportunities to learn from one another while surrounded by caring educators committed to helping every child succeed.
Pi’gunji’jg/Little Feathers Head Start, operated by the Mi’kmaq Nation, provides comprehensive early childhood education and family support services that promote school readiness, cultural identity and the healthy development of young children and their families.
Avec Community Action is a nonprofit serving Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties, from heating assistance and childcare to housing supports and jobs. We’re with you, every step of the way.
