|
| Dear Friends,
Happy April! Thanks for checking in with us. As we jump into updates for this month, I find myself wanting to share a quote that has been the backdrop for many conversations recently:
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment.” - Brene Brown
Every day at Homeworthy, we witness the quiet power of relationships. It can be seen through the fist-bumps and hugs as our young neighbors pour into The Landing Place drop-in center after school. Or in the client text messages to our case managers celebrating the milestones of debt repayment and a promotion at work. Healthy relationships have a way of constructing metaphorical safety nets, and the byproducts of feeling safe are frankly endless: courage, determination, healthy decision-making, and hope.
As we move through the season, we’re reminded that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, trust, and authentic relationships – a process Homeworthy is deeply committed to. In last month’s newsletter, we highlighted the funding bill that shelter leaders across the state have been working on, LD698. I am excited to share that this bill just passed committee, with a bipartisan acknowledgment of importance; yet we still have some heavy lifting ahead. It is essential that our lawmakers support the full funding of this bill, safeguarding the already lean number of emergency shelter beds around the state of Maine.
It’s through our layered and dynamic relationships that we have made it this far. Your partnership helps keep us focused on fighting for our most vulnerable neighbors, and for that, we are eternally grateful. |
|  | From left to right: Representative Cheryl Golek, Andrew Lardie, Molly Feeney, Senator Rachel Talbot Ross, Terence Miller, Alysia Melnick (front) |
| Thank you for standing with us, for cheering on the hard work happening behind the scenes, and for being part of this journey toward dignity, stability, and hope.
With gratitude, |
|  | Molly Feeney Executive Director, Homeworthy |
| | | | | Join us at the Rockport Music Festival, sponsored by Homeworthy, taking place Sunday, June 22 from 12-7PM at the Rockport Community Park (corner of Route 1 and West St)! Emcee’d by local legend Kerry Altiero, this family-friendly event will have plenty of talented local musicians and bands, lawn games, kids activities, food and beverages, interesting vendors, and more!
Tickets are $10, and kids twelve and under get in free! There will also be a raffle with great local prizes — stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the event. Proceeds raised will go toward helping Midcoast neighbors in need find stability and safe housing. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | Molly’s in the Midcoast Villager! Molly chatted recently with Freyja Grey for the Villager’s Q&A series. Check out the article below to hear about her favorite Midcoast hot spots and why this region is so special to her. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2024 Annual Impact Report is Now Live |
| | We just published our Impact Report for 2024! If you’re interested in reading more detailed reports of our work over the last year, this report is for you. Read stories from some of our clients, learn more about the advocacy work Homeworthy participates in across the state, or simply check out some of the numbers we highlight in the report — it is truly astounding to see the quantifiable data behind the work we do. We are incredibly grateful for our supporters and donors who keep us going through these tough times. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | Rockport resident Diana Castle just ran the Boston Marathon in support of Homeworthy!
The iconic Boston Marathon took place on Monday, April 21 and Homeworthy donor Diana Castle took on the challenge of 26.2! Diana was able to raise over $7,500 for Homeworthy - a huge feat alongside completing one of the toughest marathon courses in the country. We are so lucky to have folks like Diana in our corner, who take on personal challenges and allow us to benefit. Her donation page will be open for a few more days, in case you’d like to give to support her efforts. CONGRATULATIONS and thank you, Diana!
|
| | | | Client Spotlight: Alisha’s Journey from Stability to Service
Alisha first entered Homeworthy’s programs as a tenant of The Landing Place’s Transitional Living Program apartments. After nearly four years of hard work with her Homeworthy case manager, Lindsey, Alisha is stably housed and is approaching a major milestone: Homeworthy graduation! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Now that Alisha has maintained stable housing for several years, she’s focused on building a future doing what she loves most: working with animals. Alisha recently certified her dog as a service animal through Service Dogs Strong, and was introduced to Jillian Wight through mutual friends, as they all have their own service animals. Jillian began working with Alisha at her business, Wight Birch Farm, a 60-acre farm out in Waldo, Maine that offers pet sitting, dog walking, training, and boarding. Alisha currently works as a subcontractor offering services on the farm and around the Midcoast, but hopes to become a co-owner or build her own business one day. Together they are working toward gaining 501(c) status and additional training certifications so they can continue to offer service dog training to others in the community. Alisha is incredibly knowledgeable about disability rights associated with service animals, and has a future goal of offering free service dog training for 2-4 animals a year — she would especially love to connect with Homeworthy clients who are in need of service animals. If you are curious to learn more about the farm and the services Jillian and Alisha offer, you can check out their Facebook below.
Alisha’s story is an example of how folks can thrive when they are given the support and stability that they deserve. Alisha has found a career in something she is really passionate about, and wants to take her experience to give back to folks in our community. We’re so lucky to be able to be a part of her story. |
| | | Over the past two years, The Landing Place has been working alongside community partners to learn from local youth about specific strengths and challenges in our area. We have been doing this by hosting Listening Session Suppers that invite middle school and high school-aged young adults to join us for dinner and share directly their experiences and opinions with trusted adults. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| We recently hosted a Listening Session Supper that summarized the themes of the past conversations we’ve had with youth. These dinners are incredibly special as we keep the adult guest list on the smaller side, aiming to prioritize youth attendance and engagement — to let our young people know that they are the most important folks in the room. |
| | New Volunteer Systems and Volunteer Coordinator |
| | This week (April 20-26) is National Volunteer Week! Homeworthy could not run as successfully as we do without the support of our amazing volunteers. It feels fitting, then, to share that Homeworthy has recently hired our very fist Volunteer Coordinator, Dana Todd!
Dana will be working with volunteers to place people in roles that benefit the organization and fit well with the individual’s interests and skills. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dana holds an MBA in Marketing and formerly worked for the U.S. General Services Administration, where she managed communication campaigns and annual training conferences. She has a love for organizing and planning, as well as years of experience in community engagement within school settings including coordinating parent volunteers and teacher activities.
Dana and her husband live in Camden with their two children. She enjoys hiking, interior design, and spending time with family along with their chocolate lab, Sawyer.
If you have engaged with our volunteer system in the past, or are just thinking about it for the first time, please feel free to reach out to Dana at volunteer@homeworthy.org. If you’d like more information about our volunteer roles, or want to submit an interest form, please visit homeworthy.org/volunteer. |
| | | We’re so thankful to you, our community. |
| As always, if you or someone you know and love needs assistance and is experiencing homelessness—please reach out to Homeworthy at 207-593-8151 or email us at info@homeworthy.org. |
| | | | | | |
|
|
|
| |
|
