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Dear Friends,
This month has been a powerful reminder that homelessness and shelter solutions do not stop at town lines or service areas. When we talk about housing insecurity, we’re talking about an entire system, one that requires all of us to show up together.
This winter, we’ve seen communities across Midcoast Maine and beyond come together to share resources and look out for one another. A special acknowledgment is due to the team at the Rockland Emergency Warming Center, a volunteer-run effort that transforms the Flanagan Center into an overnight warming space for anyone who needs it. Simply put, they have helped save lives this season by staying open on winter’s coldest nights. This work is truly community-based — no single person, organization, or town can do it alone.
February also marks a meaningful milestone for Homeworthy. Twelve years ago this month, Homeworthy’s shelter welcomed its first family as overnight guests. Since that night, our doors have never closed — not during snowstorms, not during uncertainty, and not even during the height of the pandemic. We’re so grateful to the many staff who have stewarded this program for twelve years, offering a steady presence and safe haven for families navigating some of life’s hardest moments.
This season has been a challenging one for those of us working in housing and homeless services; the needs feel greater than ever and the uncertainties are abundant. What continues to inspire me is how deeply connected this work is across the state — how organizations, neighbors, businesses, and volunteers lean on one another to share the load.
At Homeworthy, we believe strongly that care, not fear, must guide how we show up for our neighbors, including those who may be feeling especially vulnerable right now. Everyone deserves the dignity and reassurance that they are not alone.
This month’s newsletter is filled with examples of what supportive community looks like in action. I hope it reminds you, as it does me, that this work is possible because of the many folks who choose collaboration and kindness, again and again.
Sincerely, |
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| Molly Feeney Executive Director, Homeworthy |
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Advocacy at The State House |
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Homeworthy continues to show up with statewide shelter colleagues to advocate for critical shelter funding. The Joint Standing Committee on |
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Housing and Economic Development held a hearing for LD 2124 on Tuesday, February 10. Staff and stakeholders from across Maine showed up in support permanent shelter funding. Molly spoke on behalf of the coalition of shelter leaders and will continue to advocate fiercely to see this bill across the finish line with a reliable funding plan. This work has been an inspiring reminder of how connected Maine's homeless service organizations are, and how we rely on one another to ensure unhoused Mainers remain safe throughout this cold winter. |
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Join us at the Stone Soup Benefit Concert |
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We’re excited to share an upcoming community event organized by Homeworthy’s very own Orville Lee! The Stone Soup Benefit Concert will take place on Friday, March 20 at the American Legion in Rockland (336 Limerock St).
Tickets are $35 and include food generously provided by Station 118. Plus there will be live music, a raffle, and plenty of good times to be had by all. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together and support community-based work. |
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Our neighbors at Nativity Lutheran Church truly embody the spirit of community. After hosting a holiday craft fair, they donated over $800 in proceeds to Homeworthy. And they didn’t stop there! They also collected urgently needed supplies, including sleeping pads and sleeping bags, for our programs. Their generosity and commitment to living their values reminds us how powerful this community can be. |
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We’re incredibly thankful to Nina June for donating meals to our shelter throughout the year. Their annual contribution totals an estimated $5,000 in value! These meals mean our shelter staff get a night off from cooking and our shelter residents get to eat a delicious, restaurant-quality dinner. We’re thrilled to celebrate chef Sara Jenkin’s recent James Beard Award nomination, a well-deserved honor! Thank you, Sara & the Nina June team, for feeding our community in every sense of the word. |
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Every birthday deserves to be celebrated! Thanks to Laugh Loud Smile Big, it always is at Hospitality House. Whenever one of the shelter residents is having a birthday, the team at Laugh Loud Smile Big drop off a selection of delicious cupcakes. We’re so thankful for this sweet tradition and the care they show our neighbors. |
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We want to extend heartfelt thanks to Brown’s Propane for the thoughtful, compassionate way they support low-income neighbors across our region. Each year, they donate 500 gallons of fuel to the CHIP Community Energy Fund, helping Lincoln County residents with heating costs. |
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They also work directly with Homeworthy to manage client heating accounts, making it easy for us to ensure people stay warm, without judgement and always with kindness. We’re grateful for partners like Brown’s Propane who truly care about people, not just transactions. |
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We’re so grateful to Eastern Tire for once again showing up for our local youth. During this year’s holiday season, their generous donation of gift cards directly supported The Landing Place’s Adopt-A-Family program, helping ensure local youth and families were able to buy gifts for themselves and others. Additionally, they matched their gift card donation with a check! Eastern Tire’s continued support is a powerful reminder of what a long-term community partnership can look like. |
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We were blown away by the generosity of the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, who recently donated five giant boxes of art supplies to Hospitality House. The donation included not only materials, but also craft ideas and instructions, and everything needed to support our monthly craft nights. We’re so lucky to be part of a community where one local nonprofit shows up so meaningfully for another! |
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Trekkers Winter Carnival Celebration |
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Despite temperatures that never climbed above 18 degrees and hovered in the single digits for much of the day, The Landing Place and our friends at Trekkers hosted a truly magical Winter Carnival celebration last month!
Even as local schools were canceled, an incredible group of teens and youth bundled up and braved the cold to be part of the celebration. We had a crackling fire pit, delicious food, snowy art project, a great DJ, and plenty of laughter shared by all. |
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Time and again, we’re reminded how powerful it is when people show up for young folks. To every young person who ventured out into the cold to join us: thank you! We are so grateful you are part of this community. And to our partners at Trekkers and all who helped make the day possible, thank you for helping create spaces where youth can celebrate and feel truly supported. |
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Tax Acknowledgments Update |
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Beginning this spring, Homeworthy will send tax acknowledgment letters by email for most donations. This change will allow us to get acknowledgments to you more quickly and reduce our mailing costs. If you prefer to continue receiving a paper acknowledgment by mail, you can easily opt out using the link below and let us know your preference.
Thank you for your continued generosity and for being such an important part of this work. |
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Volunteer Spotlight: Tim Andersen |
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| Tim Andersen (pictured left, alongside his wife Deena) is one of Homeworthy’s longtime volunteers within the Development department. We chatted with Tim about why he chooses to spend his time volunteering with Homeworthy and what he’s learned while volunteering here. |
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Q: How long have you been a volunteer at Homeworthy, and how did you first get involved? I’ve been a volunteer with Homeworthy for over six years. I had been recently retired and new to the area, and I was looking to get involved with a cause-related organization and to meet people. I also believe in the importance of volunteerism in the community. That’s when I found Homeworthy (then the Knox County Homeless Coalition).
Q: What’s your favorite thing about volunteering for Homeworthy/working with Homeworthy in general? I work quite a bit within Homeworthy's donor database, and it's satisfying to help keep it neat and accurate for staff. In general, I enjoy meeting and working with like-minded folks, and the dedication of Homeworthy’s staff is so inspiring!
Q: What’s something you wish the general public knew/understood more about this work and rural homelessness? Through working with Homeworthy, I've learned how prevalent homelessness is in Maine, the midcoast and rural areas especially, and what a dire need for affordable housing there is. When I talk to people in my circle, they are surprised that Maine ranks fairly high nationally, ninth I believe, in homelessness, and that there is more in our area than is visible to the eye. |
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We’re so thankful to you, our community. |
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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. |
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