CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE
October 17, 1967
Page 29163
COUNTY POVERTY PROGRAMS
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, recently I received a letter from Mr. Dominic Gacetta, program director for the Knox County Community Action Committee in Rockland, Maine, in which he reports on developments in the county poverty programs.
I think my colleagues will be interested in learning of these highly successful programs which are enriching the lives of many families in the county.
I ask unanimous consent that Mr. Gacetta's letter be inserted in the RECORD at this point.
There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
KNOX COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE
Rockland, Maine,
October 6, 1967.
Hon. EDMUND S. MUSKIE
U.S. Senate,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR SENATOR MUSKIE: The Knox County Community Action Committee, after evaluating the progress of our current poverty programs, is pleased with the developments and want to share them with you to keep you better informed on these programs in our area.
Our Neighborhood Youth Corps Program is funded for 20 out-of-school placements. Of this group, four have returned to school to continue their education. Three returned to local public high schools and one is enrolled in a leading prep school after receiving a $500.00 scholarship on the basis of his aptitude tests.
Eight youths on the program have left Neighborhood Youth Corps for permanent employment.
Two of this group left for training related employment and six entered employment outside the training related area.
Two girls with dependent children on ADC left the program after referral to Work Experience for further training. One is being trained in printing and the other as a baker.
One boy training as a Landscape Aide has been offered seasonal employment at the Rockland Country Club. He will continue his training during the off season with the Soil and Conservation Service locally.
As enrollees of this program return to school or leave for various reasons, we are always recruiting in an attempt to keep our 20 placements occupied.
Our Homemaker Service Program consists of a Director and six Homemakers in Knox County. Although this program has only been in operation since June of this year, we have received many favorable comments for the variety of service provided. Over eighty families have received benefit of Homemakers and they are currently serving over 60 families with regularity. Their services include meal planning, budgeting, food preparation, cleanliness of the home and person and other necessary duties of this type. Homemakers will soon be demonstrating the use of surplus foods to mothers who will meet in groups for this purpose.
We completed a successful Summer Head Start Program, with 163 children in 11 classrooms throughout the County. These children, in addition to the training habits they received and experiences provided them, also received Dental and Medical Services which will prove beneficial to all of them throughout their lives. In addition, parents through participation in this program also experienced new ideas and knowledge which will help them in their parent-child relationship.
Our Work Study Program provided summer jobs for 5 needy college students and paid them a total of $3,140.00 which will be helpful in the coming school year.
Funds from the Older Americans Act have made it possible to provide stereo, television, and other furniture and equipment in the West Room of the Rockland Community Center for the relaxation and enjoyment of the Senior Citizens in this area. They also have recently enjoyed 3 excursions which accommodated 65 to 75 people on each trip. In March a large group of Senior Citizens enjoyed a trip to the Lee Follies in Boston. This trip was followed up in April with an excursion to the Flower Show in Boston. In August an excursion to Cabbage Island was enjoyed by all. A foliage trip to the Rangley Lakes Region is planned for Wednesday, October 11, and a large turn out is expected for this trip also.
Sincerely yours,
Dominic J. Gacetta Program Director.