Brown honored for going ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ to assist the community

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Sheree Brown, the administrative coordinator at the Dover-Foxcroft Penquis office, was honored at the February meeting of Helping Hands with Heart (HHH) for her exemplary and often “above and beyond the call of duty” help to the many people in the region who need assistance in meeting their basic needs.
Brown has worked closely with HHH to help link residents with the monthly Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) eligibility specialists who come to Penquis on the first Thursday of each month. Since August, a total of 93 families and individuals have been able to access a variety of services through DHHS/Office of Family Independence (OFI), including healthcare, supplemental food, long-term care, emergency financial assistance, child care subsidy, etc. Residents also were assisted for their eligibility re-determinations, thereby saving them a trip to Bangor.
Presenting Brown with her award was Sue Mackey Andrews, HHH co-chair. Scott Cates, program administrator with the Region 6 DHHS/OFI and the region’s Legislative delegation were also recognized for their support in bringing these essential services to our region. Sen. Paul Davis (R-Sangerville) introduced the legislation which ultimately helped to obtain the DHHS support for this outreach service in the last session of the legislature, which was supported by Reps. Norm Higgins (R-Dover-Foxcroft) and Paul Stearns (R-Guilford).
Among the many accolades for Brown were recognition for the welcoming and safe space she helps to create, her “always-ready” smile when visitors arrive and her extraordinary helpfulness to make sure that their needs are addressed. Her passion and caring for area residents is evident every day and really makes a difference for so many.
DHHS/OFI will continue these services on the first Thursday of each month, at Penquis on North Street in from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is needed. Residents are encouraged to bring identification and documentation to help to support their applications for assistance (e.g., driver’s licenses, utility bill to confirm address locally, birth certificates, wage receipts, etc.). Please plan to arrive before 3 p.m. so that enough time is available to assist.
For transportation assistance for this purpose, please contact LYNX at 973-3695 in the Bangor area or toll-free 866-853-5969. LYNX offers some supported transportation as well as general public transportation for a small fee. Those not qualifying for transportation through LYNX, can contact hhhpiscataquis@gmail.com or call 564-7835 to see if Helping Hands can assist.
Individuals can always swing by and see Brown during their regular business hours to get a hardcopy application for assistance, that will help in preparation for a visit with the eligibility specialist at Penquis. Residents can also go to “My Maine Connection” (https://www1.maine.gov/benefits/account/login.html) to access the DHHS/OFI application.

Contributed photo
A LITTLE RECOGNITION FOR DOING A LOT — Sheree Brown, right the administrative coordinator at the Dover-Foxcroft Penquis office, was honored during last month’s Helping Hands with Heart meeting for all her work assisting residents to help with the monthly Department of Health and Human Services eligibility specialists visits on the first Thursday of the month at Penquis. Brown is pictured with Helping Hands with Heart Co-Chair Sue Mackey Andrews.