Community Caring Collaborative flexible support funds help children and parents overcome obstacles, achieve goals, and reach their potential. They are lifelines for Washington County and Passamaquoddy families that can be accessed by CCC partners working on their behalf. These supports build family and partner capacity, reflecting the two-part priority of the CCC to simultaneously support its partners and the community members they serve. With CCC flexible support funds, families can navigate overwhelming challenges and children can experience safety, belonging, and joy.
Historically, CCC’s flexible support funds have been allocated in specific barrier removal programs each with their own eligibility criteria and application process. In order to streamline processes CCC is combining three of these barrier removal programs: The Hope Fund, The Dream Fund, and The Joy Fund, into one access point: CCC Flexible Support Funds Application. The Hope and Dream Funds are fully integrated into this application process. The Joy Fund still maintains its own application form and process for the time being. See the sidebar of this page for access to The Joy Fund. Traditional age limits for eligibility to some of these programs have been expanded to include families with children 0-18. The Joy Fund does not have age restrictions.
The Hope Fund was designed in 2012 to provide one-time financial assistance for expenses that threaten a family’s ability to care for their children (now ages 0–18) and are not covered by other sources. Examples of support have included auto repairs, security deposits, safety equipment, essential household items (furniture, appliances), educational supplies, and more.
The Dream Fund, established in 2016 to honor CCC founder Marjorie Withers, was designed to offer financial support for children and youth (under 18) to pursue their passions through activities that build resilience, confidence, and connection. Examples include summer camps, music and art lessons, driver’s education, bicycles, and outdoor equipment.
The Joy Fund was established in March of 2022 by 5th generation Downeaster, Georgiana Kendall, to assist first-time home buyers in Washington County make the transition to homeownership by providing funds for home inspections related to a home purchase.
Application Process
Staff providers from CCC partner agencies, who know a family’s needs and goals best, submit applications on behalf of families for funds that were traditionally allocated to the Hope and Dream Fund Programs. Applications to The Joy Fund are submitted by a Washington County-based real estate agent on behalf of the buyer, using the application form developed specifically for The Joy Fund (see sidebar). A cross-agency committee reviews applications weekly, and turnaround time for funding is fast.
For Hope and Dream Fund requests, providers fill out the CCC Flexible Support Funds application:
- You will be guided to complete a household monthly budget if the request is for a down payment, security deposit or is part of a financial undertaking that will involve the family making ongoing payments. This form is read-only so you must copy it so you can fill it out and upload it as supporting documentation with the application form.
- Fill out the application together with the family.
- Gather and include additional documentation such as a quote for repairs or an invoice for lessons, and upload them in the space provided on the application.
Providers – not the family applying for funds – please feel free to contact Angela Donaghy if you have any questions.