WILTON — Western Maine Community Action recognized three community partners during the agency’s annual meeting hosted on Oct. 19 at the Martindale Country Club in Auburn. The partners, Rumford Group Homes Inc., the Tri-Valley United Way and Lots to Gardens, provide services in collaboration with WMCA throughout Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

Alison Stimsin and Melissa McEntee, homeless services case managers at Rumford Group Homes Inc., accompanied by Paula Paladino, executive assistant and Alan Monier, executive director, accepted a Community Partner Award from Judith Frost, WMCA community services program manger. WMCA offered homeless prevention and rapid re-housing services in 2009-2010 for the first time in Oxford County.

“Alison and Melissa worked hand and hand with me,” said Crystal Gage, homeless coordinator. “They were incredibly helpful,” she said.

The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program provides financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and helps those who are homeless to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. Rumford Group Homes Inc. is a nationally accredited nonprofit social service agency. Since 1974, Rumford Group Homes Inc. has served abused, neglected, and homeless youth and their families from throughout the state of Maine with emphasis on the tri-county region of Oxford, Androscoggin and Franklin counties.

Nancy Teel, volunteer for the Tri-Valley United Way Community Energy Challenge project, accepted an award from William Crandall, WMCA housing and energy program manager. The project is gearing up for its second season after having built 175 window panels with more than 60 volunteers last year.

The project also received 90 panels from Maine Correctional Facilities. Over 90 households were contacted, with an estimated savings of $7,000 per year for residents of greater Franklin County.

“Installing the panels is helping people stay safer and warmer in their homes,” said Teel.

WMCA is one of over 20 organizations that collaborated with the Tri-Valley United Way Community Energy Challenge project.

Lots to Gardens executive director, Kristen Walter and youth program coordinator, Ari Rosenberg, accepted the award for Androscoggin County presented by James Trundy, career center services program manager.

“The Career Center has worked with Lots to Gardens since 2002 placing more than 100 youth in summer jobs,” said Trundy.

Lots to Gardens is a Lewiston-based organization that uses sustainable urban agriculture to create access to fresh, healthy food for all, regardless of income. In 2009, 11 summer youth gardeners contributed 1,731 hours to the community through direct service, knowledge building and organizing events. Lots to Gardens is part of St. Mary’s Nutrition Center of Maine.

WMCA is a community action agency providing services to low and moderate income people in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

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