COVID-19 Relief Fund

In a rural community like ours, healthy food can be hard to come by for those in need under normal circumstances. During a civil emergency, it is even more difficult. WCAP has distributed hundreds of bags and boxes of food to families in need during the statewide shutdown. Many of our employees have been redeployed to help deliver food to elderly and immobile residents all over the county, including veterans referred by the local VFW. Some of our Mid-Coast Public Transportation buses have also been redeployed, as part of a partnership with local food pantries to help transport high volumes of food into the community.

WCAP’s Early Childhood Program is moving forward in innovative and creative ways to carry out our mission of providing children and families with quality early childhood education programs and integrated support services. Despite the suspension of classroom-based services, our teachers, classroom aides, and family advocates have found ways to transcend the virtual world to remind families they’re there for them. They are continuing services to families through regular online lessons and home visits. They contact each family member by phone, video, or email to provide individualized educational opportunities. Guided by WCAP staff, families are continuing to achieve their school readiness goals with home-based curricula. WCAP Early Childhood Program staff have established a vibrant online learning community for families through social media and have been doing important work to connect families to critical resources.

WCAP’s Resource Advocacy staff have been busy researching and pulling together COVID-19 resource options for community members in need. They serve as a one-stop shop for anyone in need, especially if they’re not sure where to start. With many in the community now unexpectedly finding themselves in a situation where they need to access unemployment assistance and other resources for the first time, WCAP’s Resource Advocates want the community to know they’re here and they’re ready.

Since WCAP is local, right here in Belfast, individuals receive phone support from Resource Advocates who are a part of the same community they are. WCAP Resource Advocates are happy to help people navigate what’s out there to meet their needs, whether it be food delivery or arranging for transportation. All they need to do is pick up the phone and dial (207) 338-6809.

To better serve community members in need during this time, WCAP’s Mid-Coast Public Transportation program modified its Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) city bus routes and schedules in both Belfast and Rockland temporarily. The service is now no longer traveling a set route and time schedule as usual. Instead, the service is responding to individuals needing to get to essential services such as shopping in town.

The service is available for in-town trips in Rockland and Belfast on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All trips are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis according to demand and available resources. This temporary service is without charge to passengers. To schedule a pickup or for more information, please call customer service at (207) 338-4769, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m.

With the weather being as unpredictable as it is in Maine during the spring months, WCAP Housing & Energy staff continue to process applications over the phone for fuel and other assistance in response to the statewide stay at home order. As the pandemic continues, we expect to see an increase in the number of eligible families applying for help.