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Only $15,000 to go to meet our $100,000 match!
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Your donation goes directly to funding our life-saving programs and offers critical support to nearly 1,000 individuals—many in dire situations—right here in the Midcoast.
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We Do it Differently:
YEAR END MIRACLES
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The Power to Do the Right Thing
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Imagine working 40-50 hours a week while living in a trailer with no utilities, trying to save enough to move from homelessness to homeownership. Imagine the excitement of seeing the well and septic go in, knowing your modular home was on the assembly line after supply chain issues caused some delays. Then, imagine being told—with the house scheduled for delivery—that interest rates had doubled and in order not to have your home foreclosed on, lose your land, and be on the hook for the $40,000 in land improvements that were to be rolled into your mortgage, you needed to come up with an extra $18,000 . . . in 48 hours. This was the situation a hard working single mother and her young daughter recently found themselves in when they turned to us for help.
Thanks to the support of our donors, KCHC staff was able to jump into action. And though it truly took a community coming together, after just about 27 hours we'd pieced together enough resources to make sure they were able to secure their dream.
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This year, once again we held our annual Adopt-A-Family program, giving community members like you an opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for the courageous families we serve in the Midcoast region.
Together we helped 163 families—nearly 400 people!
Thank you to everyone who purchased items, donated, or wrapped gifts! And a huge thank you to the owners of the Rockland Harbor Park in Rockland for donating space that we were able to transform into our Holiday Headquarters.
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Volunteers, wrapping, tagging, and topping with a bow!
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Our People:
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
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When Gerald* popped into the welcome center early one day dressed in loafers, khakis, a button up shirt, and a golf jacket, I presumed he was here to make an in kind donation. He kindly greeted me, but was hesitant. He asked if he could get a copy of a housing application form, which isn't a typical ask. When I inquired if it was for him or someone else, he sighed. He told me they had been renting for a while, but the apartment fell into disrepair and they had to vacate months ago. He and his wife had been staying at a local hotel, and he knew the Emergency Rental Assistance program was ending. He was concerned that he might not be granted an extension.
His wife suffers from a number of health issues that require oxygen and a pacemaker. He let me know he was willing to sleep in his car but that he didn't know how he would be able to hook up his wife's oxygen there if she was forced to sleep in the car as well. His concern hung heavy in the air as he said he had already confirmed his doctor was willing to fill out a housing voucher application based on their medical needs. I told him that I would take the voucher coordination off his plate and that we would work on getting an intake scheduled right away. Within a few days they were able to get an intake completed and they are now working with a case manager to find housing.
It really does bring it home as to how close this is to us all. I couldn't imagine being in his situation. I just wanted to take them home with me. Even when demand outweighs the supply, these conversations still are so hard. Even if the only thing I can offer is an ear, I'll do it. People often discount how much it means to be heard. I've been on the other end before and feeling invisible is dehumanizing. No one should feel that way, and everyone matters.
- Kali Auspland, Urgent Needs Coordinator at KCHC
*Name changed to protect client confidentiality
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It Takes a Village:
WORKING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY
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Flowers Supporting Families
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Thank you to Seasons Downeast Designs for selling raffle tickets for one of their beautiful creations. 100% of proceeds were donated to KCHC! In the photo on the right, KCHC Board Chair Caroline Morong holds up the check along with owner Anna Remsen.
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Thanks to a generous donor, the Satellite Club of West Bay Rotary set up a raffle of original painting from Maine artist Alan Fishman. The painting was on view at Key Bank on Main Street in Rockland. All proceeds went to benefit to Knox County Homeless Coalition. Congratulations to the winner!
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Girl Power, Elves, and Brownies
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Troop 1232 of our local Brownie & Girl Scout chapter got into the holiday spirit by filling gift bags with treats and hygiene supplies for other young people in need here in our community. They dropped them off with our Chief Executive Elf and posed for a photo next to our Volunteer Tree. We are inspired by these twelve community-minded young ladies and we thank them for their support!
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Loads of Hope and other Supplies
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Thank you to Camden National Bank for donating various supplies to our Hospitality House Family Shelter through their Hope@Home program!
The Hospitality House is KCHCs extended-stay family shelter, located in Rockport. We provide a caring, temporary “home” for up to 22 individuals at a time, half of whom are usually children.
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Most families will stay in the Hospitality House an average of 6 to 9 months, while working closely with our staff to access necessary resources, locate affordable housing, and prepare for their transition into stable, independent living.
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Living with ongoing heart challenges and neuropathy in his feet, knitting is one way Gilbert Hatch stays busy while helping others. This fall, Gil was inspired to donate several handmade hats, scarves, and blankets to The Landing Place, the comprehensive youth program of KCHC.
"Making and donating hats and other items makes me feel good because I know somebody out there is getting something out of it. I figure this is why I'm still here - to do things like this because I can't do much else."
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Use Your Small Change to Make a Big Impact
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Knox County Homeless Coalition is Belfast Community Co-op's Common Cents recipient for January.
Common Cents invites Co-op shoppers to round up the total of their purchases to the nearest dollar, donating the extra change to support a community organization whose work contributes to local resilience.
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The Goodness of The Scone Goddess
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Thanks to everyone who participated in The Scone Goddess November promotion. Together you raised more than $300 towards this important work. A gift of that size could be the difference in someone getting their car repaired so as not to miss work, or losing their job, then home, then cycling back into experiencing homelessness. Thanks again for changing lives!
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Your donations provide critical support
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Your support matters. There are numerous ways to provide support to Knox County Homeless Coalition. Click here to learn more about the different ways you can help today.
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Please consider a donation today and/or help us spread the word. Your donation before the end of the year will be matched up to $100,000!
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The Landing Place
Located in the heart of downtown Rockland, The Landing Place is our comprehensive youth program supporting highly resilient and often marginalized youth living in Midcoast Maine.
For more information about the 2022/23 School Year Schedule call 207-466-9285, email info@thelandingplaceme.org, or visit TLP's webpage.
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We Are Hiring For Multiple Positions!
- Assistant Shelter Manager
- Client Care Specialist/Case Manager
- Compliance Data Specialist
- Executive Assistant
- Family Shelter Manager
- Shelter Support Staff (Per Diem)
Click here for more info.
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Check our Facebook and Instagram every Wednesday for a list of items we are currently seeking for KCHC clients.
Currently, our team is only able to accept donations by appointment. If you are interested in donating new or like-new items to help community members in need please call (207) 593-8151 or email donations@homehelphope.org to schedule a time. Or click here for more info about donating goods and/or services.
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Lasting Impressions:
SEASONS GREETINGS
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