About Penquis

Penquis is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1967 to alleviate and eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty. Through its programs and subsidiaries, Penquis impacts all of Maine's sixteen counties, but primarily serves low- and moderate-income individuals in Penobscot, Piscataquis and Knox counties.

Our mission is to assist individuals and families in preventing, reducing, or eliminating poverty in their lives and, through partnerships, to engage the community in addressing economic and social needs.

Our vision is for a poverty-free Maine, where all people lead healthy lives full of opportunities to work and learn.

Our goal is for all Maine people to be safe, healthy, connected and financially secure.

Our efforts are focused on helping individuals and families increase financial stability through programs and services that support housing stability, access to education, school readiness and healthy lives.

The Promise of Community Action

Penquis is one of nearly 1,000 community action agencies across the United States and one of nine in Maine (see all nine). Community action agencies were established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America's War on Poverty.

“To eliminate the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty in this nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training, the opportunity to work and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity.”

Community action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Working Together to Help People and Change Lives

Penquis receives support from a variety of public and private sources and partners with numerous individuals, businesses, organizations and agencies to improve the quality of life for Maine residents. For more information about how Penquis is funded, view our Annual Report. To help make a difference, volunteer your time or make a gift.

Penquis is a member of the Maine Community Action Partnership, a Heart of Maine United Way agency, and a chartered member of NeighborWorks America.

Official Organization and Domain Information

This is the official website of Penquis C.A.P., Inc., also known as Penquis CAP Inc. Penquis C.A.P., Inc. owns and operates the domain penquis.org as its primary organizational website.

• Legal organization name: Penquis C.A.P., Inc.
• Federal Tax ID / EIN: 01-6023748
• Nonprofit status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Official website/domain: https://www.penquis.org/
• Physical address: 262 Harlow Street, Bangor, ME 04401
• Phone: 207-973-3500

Penquis C.A.P., Inc. provides programs and services that support individuals, families, and communities throughout Maine, with a primary focus on Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties. Our services address poverty, housing stability, transportation, education, school readiness, child and family support, health, financial stability, and other economic and social needs.

For verification and nonprofit documentation, please view the following documents:

• Penquis 501(c)(3) Documentation
• Penquis Articles of Incorporation

Penquis is governed by a volunteer 15-member Board of Directors representing three distinct sectors of the communities we serve: the public sector, private sector, and consumer sector.

Penquis also has one Steering Committee representing Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties. Its membership includes public-sector, private-sector, and consumer representatives.

Boards and Committees

• 

  Kara Hay

  President and Chief Executive Officer

  As president and CEO of Penquis, Kara leads Maine’s largest community action agency, an organization dedicated to helping individuals and families become safe, stable, connected and financially secure. She serves as president of Penquis subsidiaries MaineStream Finance, Rape Response Services, Inc., Penquis Development, Inc. and Penquis Housing, Inc. Kara is a board member of the National NeighborWorks Association and Community Housing Capital, a corporator of Northern Light Health, a member of the Northern Light Acadia Hospital Board of Trustees, the Bangor-area Community Health Leadership Board, and the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, and a past president of the Maine Community Action Association. She also serves on committees for NeighborWorks America and Hirundo. Kara is a recognized leader in community development and has received an Emerging Leader Award and a Practitioner of the Year Award from the National NeighborWorks® Association, the National Lyndon Baines Johnson Leadership Award from the National Community Action Partnership, a Maryann Hartman Award from the University of Maine, and a Bernard Lown ’42 Alumni Humanitarian Award from the University of Maine Alumni Association. Kara is a Maine native and holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Maine, a BA in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University, Hawaii.

• 

  Denice Conary

  Chief Financial Officer

  Denice has over 30 years’ experience in accounting. She joined Penquis in 2001 as Controller and was appointed CFO in 2013. She directs the preparation and management of the annual operating budget, staffs the Board Finance Committee, supports six subsidiary corporations, and oversees fiscal compliance for ten low income/senior housing projects. Through effective stewardship, Denice ensures financial integrity in support of services for low-income individuals and families. She holds a BS in Accounting from Husson University and is a member of IMA.

• 

  Heidi LeBlanc

  Chief Operating Officer

  Heidi has worked with children and families for 30+ years across early education/intervention and residential services. She holds a BA in Psychology (Colby College) and an M.Ed in Special Education/Early Intervention (University of Maine). As COO, she has primary responsibility for CSBG administration and oversees Child Development, Transportation, Housing and Energy, Housing Development, MaineStream Finance, and Family Enrichment services.

• 

  Jennifer Giosia

  Housing and Energy Services Department Director

  Jennifer has 27 years in social services. She began at Penquis in 1992 in energy services and expanded into housing for low-income households. Her team assists thousands of families annually with weatherization, home repair, lead inspections, and winter energy assistance. She has chaired the MCAA Energy Council, served as vice chair of its Housing Council, and holds a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University.

• 

  Janeen Feero

  Development Director

  With 25+ years in fundraising and grants, Janeen joined Penquis in 2000 after roles at UMaine and College of the Atlantic. She holds a BA and MA in Speech Communication (USM, UMaine). She oversees fundraising and community relations, securing grants, managing bids, building philanthropy, and maintaining strong public information and outreach.

• 

  Steven Richard

  Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Director

  Steven brings 25+ years in business management and process improvement, with a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MBA. Past roles include project manager for the Maine Secretary of State, Executive Director of the Down East AIDS Network, and SBDC business counselor. He leads efforts to improve transportation access so clients can maintain health through regular medical care.

• 

  Tamar Perfit Mathieu, Esq.

  Family Enrichment Services Director and Rape Response Services Executive Director

  Tamar joined Penquis in 1998 as an attorney in the Penquis Law Project, later serving as Directing Attorney, Division Manager, and Deputy Department Director. She now directs Family Enrichment Services and serves as Executive Director of Rape Response Services. Her portfolio includes child and family services, legal assistance, senior volunteers, transitional housing, homeless youth, victim services and prevention, case management, counseling, visitation supports, and community supports—working with leadership to unify mission and services.

• 

  Danielle Goodale

  Human Resources Director

  Danielle began in HR after a BS from Thomas College (1998). She joined Penquis in 2005, became HR Director in 2017, and serves on the Executive Leadership Team. She leads strategy and daily operations across HR compliance, policy, benefits, workers’ compensation, safety and wellness, training, compensation, recruiting/retention, and DEI. She chairs the MeCAP HR Directors Group and the Executive Committee for the Social Services and Education Group Trust (self-insured workers’ compensation).

• 

  Staci Provost

  Compliance Director

  Staci started at Penquis in 1999 and has served in legal and finance roles, including Operations Accountant and Accounting Manager. With ~15 years in contract and grant regulatory requirements, she leads monitoring and evaluation across lines of business, including Enterprise Risk Management. She partners across the organization to implement compliance processes aligned to regulations, policies, and business needs.

• 

  Aimee Kerrigan

  Charlotte White Support Services Director

  Aimee earned a bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Services from UMF (2008) and built her career at the Charlotte White Center in roles supporting adults with behavioral health diagnoses and intellectual disabilities. She became Director of Program Operations in 2016. After the 2019 merger, she transitioned to Director of Charlotte White Support Services at Penquis, committed to dignity, respect, and quality of life for those served.

• 

  Mark Glovin

  Regional Programs Manager for Knox County

  Mark joined Penquis in May 2022 as Regional Programs Director for Knox County.

• 

  Andrew Whitten, CISM, PMP

  IT Director

  Andrew joined Penquis in 2016 after a decade as an IT consultant and years as a network engineer. He holds a BS in Computer Information Systems (Thomas College) and a PMP. As IT Director and HIPAA Security Officer, he oversees technology integration, cybersecurity, and network infrastructure across the agency.

• 

  Dee Williams

  MaineStream Finance Department Director

  Dee joined in August 2021 with 15+ years in leadership, lending, and finance. She brings creative lending approaches when traditional financing isn’t possible and understands the difficult situations that affect clients’ access to capital. Dee is driven to advance MaineStream Finance’s mission and expand homeownership and small-business lending services. Learn more at mainestreamfinance.org.

Rape Response Services offers hope, support, and advocacy to victims and people affected by sexual assault and stalking, provides information about sexual violence, and promotes prevention. Visit them on the web at www.rrsonline.org.

MaineStream Finance provides credit, capital, and financial services that are often unavailable from traditional financial institutions. Visit them on the web at www.mainestreamfinance.org.

Penquis Development, Inc. and Penquis Housing, Inc. promote the development, financing, and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, seniors, and special needs populations.

2025 Statewide Community Needs Assessment

• 2025 Knox County Report
• 2025 Penobscot County Report
• 2025 Piscataquis County Report
• 2025 Full Statewide Community Needs Assessment

Annual Reports

• FY24 Annual Report

Head Start Annual Reports

• Penquis EHS-HS – Annual Report – 2024-2025
• Penquis EHS-HS – Annual Report – 2023-2024
• Penquis EHS-HS – Annual Report – 2022-2023
• Penquis EHS-HS – Annual Report – 2021-2022
• Penquis EHS-HS – Annual Report – 2020-2021
• Penquis EHS-HS – Annual Report – 2019-2020
• Penquis EHS-HS – Annual Report – 2018-2019

Services by County

• Knox Service Summary 2024
• Penobscot Service Summary 2024
• Piscataquis Service Summary 2024
• Other Counties Service Summary 2024
• Penquis Service Summary 2024

False Claims Act Procedure

• False Claims Act Procedure

Tri-County Service Brochure

• 2024 Penquis All Three County Brochure 2-8-2024 (3)