Twenty years ago, Frenchboro decided it wanted to grow. With the help of the Rockefeller Foundation and many others, the Frenchboro Future Development Corporation was formed, and undertook a project to provide affordable family housing. The goal was to attract young families, and today it’s clear the plan worked. All 12 lots in the affordable housing project area have homes on them, and best of all, there are now eight children under school age on the island.
The community’s challenge now is to care for the needs of the young families living on an island with only 45 winter residents. The town wants to provide a more comprehensive educational experience, offering foundation skills and enrichment activities to enhance the children’s readiness for the island’s one-room, K-8 school, which serves three students.
Within the next five years, however, the school will swell to ten students. So Frenchboro is forming a preschool for its younger children to begin in September.
Already, many members of the community have committed their expertise and resources. Endorsed by the Town of Frenchboro, the preschool has already been granted funding by the Maine Community Foundation for the purchase of furniture, equipment and books. Furthermore, the island’s own Long Island Congregational Church has donated its space and utilities.
In order to meet the budgeted expenses for the first year, however, the preschool needs help to raise the final $6,000. The Committee is asking residents, acquaintances, and all “Friends of Frenchboro” for contributions.
“We know the Frenchboro Preschool is going to be a success,” states the Preschool Committee, “and we feel sure many people will want to be a part of making it happen! We thank all who contribute on behalf of our very youngest islanders: Elijah, Amber, Myron, Teressa, Isaiah, Bradley, Marilyn and Johnny.”
Contributions can be sent to Frenchboro Preschool Committee, P.O. Box 8, Frenchboro, ME 04635. For more information, please call 207 334-2944.