Senator Collins Receives Award for Helping Vulnerable Mainers, Speaks About Her Bill to Fight Poverty

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins received Maine Community Action’s 2016 Star of Community Action award yesterday at the Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) Center in Houlton. 

Kara Hay, the President of the Maine Community Action Association Board of Directors, presented Senator Collins with the award, which recognizes individuals who have advocated for or defended low-income people in the face of serious challenges and have made a significant difference in the lives of Maine’s most vulnerable citizens.

“It is such an honor to receive Maine Community Action’s 2016 Star of Community Action award and meet with ACAP’s dedicated staff,” said Senator Collins. “ACAP makes such a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and helps to strengthen our communities.”

Senator Collins also discussed her bipartisan Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act, legislation she coauthored with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) that proposes a new, multigenerational approach to fighting poverty. Senator Collins noted that many organizations like ACAP and others in Maine are leading this initiative because they know how important it is to help entire families, not just individuals.

“The Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act I coauthored is designed to encourage and support the comprehensive models used by programs like ACAP. This approach brings together a range of services under one roof to equip parents and children with the tools they need to succeed and become self-sufficient,” Senator Collins continued. “We share a commitment to ensuring that a child’s ZIP code does not determine his or her future success. I applaud ACAP’s efforts and look forward to our continued partnership.”

Following the award presentation, Senator Collins was led by ACAP Executive Director and CEO Jason Parent on a tour of ACAP’s Houlton facility and met with staff. ACAP provides community health services, workforce development, energy and housing assistance, and early child education to serve low-income residents of Aroostook County.