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- EIN 20-1283854
- 2075924234
- 227 Water St. 2nd Floor Augusta ME 04330 USA
- https://kennebecvalleyorganization.com/
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Community & Neighborhood Development, Economic Development
Mission: To improve the quality of life in the Kennebec Valley and beyond.
Results: We helped facilitate crisis intervention training for area law enforcement, leading to more humane treatment of people with mental health problems, less time in jail, and fewer injuries for police officers. We also helped gain an increase in the state minimum wage in 2006, highlighted by "The Minimum Wage Express", a bus tour of KVO activists that culminated in a successful citizen lobbying effort at the State House that put the vote over the top for low wage workers. In 2013, we helped bring SEARCH (Seek Elderly Alone, Renew Courage and Hope) to the Valley. SEARCH addresses elder isolation, providing companionship, conversation, and assistance to our neighbors in need. We have addressed issues pertaining to elders, particularly the plight of direct care workers who provide critical care while struggling at very low wages. We joined the Maine Council on Aging to win $2 million in additional funding for direct care workers. We also successfully advocated for the passage of a $15 million bond issue which increases affordable housing for seniors and help allow them to comfortably remain in their own homes. Throughout the years, we have successfully held Issues Assemblies and Candidates Forums where we pull issues from the community and present them to candidates and incumbents running for office at the State and Federal level. Candidates Forums are held in the fall of election years. Our annual MICAH (Ministry In Community Action Honoree) Awards Ceremony and Dinner is a way for us to recognize and honor local heroes in our communities. To qualify, individuals and groups must be active not only within their own organizations, but also make a difference in the boarder community. To date, we have held four (4) successful MICAH Award Ceremony and Dinners and have honored thirty (30) recipients.
Geographic areas served: Greater Kennebec Valley
Programs: Initial organizing efforts will result in better leadership aimed at saving, stregthening, and creating good jobs, affordable housing, and critical public services.