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Dear Friends,
As we step into a new year, winter has already made its presence known. The early arrival of cold temperatures and steady blankets of snow have been beautiful in many ways, but they also bring new and urgent challenges for the clients we serve.
At Homeworthy, we can’t overstate the fact that the majority of our clients are children and families. While we also serve single adults, over 50% of the human touch points we have in a year are with folks under the age of 18. When winter comes early, those needs intensify. Below, you’ll see a roundup of news stories across the state from December and January that report on the stress the Maine shelter community is under. These articles highlight the importance of our continued advocacy at the state level. Homeworthy continues to engage with statewide colleagues to pursue a permanent increase in shelter funding, ensuring Maine’s life saving shelter system remains intact.
And yet, as we see the struggles our team and agencies across the state are facing, we also see the deep love and care this community has for their neighbors. January is a time of reflection and renewal, and as we look ahead, I’m filled with gratitude. Thanks to your generosity, 2025 was a truly record-breaking year for Homeworthy, which translates to essential support and housing for hundreds of our neighbors. We are especially thankful to everyone who helped us reach our annual appeal match! Because of you, we were able to unlock critical matching funds at a time when they were needed most, and we are so excited to share more about the impact of this support when our annual report is released this spring.
As we begin a new year together, please know how thankful we are for each and every one of you. Your compassion and belief in our mission make it possible for families and children across Midcoast Maine to face the year ahead with greater stability and hope. As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, let us remember the many sacrifices and lessons from Dr. King by keeping his words alive: “the time is always right to do right”.
With gratitude, |
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| Molly Feeney Executive Director, Homeworthy |
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Homelessness in Maine: News from Around the State |
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As winter set in earlier than expected, communities across Maine have spent the past few months navigating how best to care for neighbors without safe housing. From local shelter debates to warming centers stretched to capacity, recent coverage underscores both the urgency of this moment as well as the deep commitment of advocates and service providers working toward solutions. Check out the stories below: |
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When Maine warming centers can’t keep up with demand: ‘We are tasked with life and death decisions’ |
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Bangor homeless shelters see high demand amid frigid temperatures |
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| Augusta Planning Board tables vote on potential homeless shelter after lengthy debate |
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Warm Hearts Gala Thank You |
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A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the Warm Hearts Gala at Pascal Hall last Friday! What an amazing night celebrating our community and raising funds for heating assistance to make sure folks stay warm this winter - we raised over $6,000! Thank you to the Lesher Family Foundation for donating the Pascal Hall space for use, and a special shoutout to Justice Barrows from the Thomaston Recreation Department, without whom this event would not have happened! |
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| Janet from Good Morning Rockland (left) & Molly |
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| A huge thank you to John Burns and Janet Brown for having Homeworthy Executive Director Molly Feeney on as a guest last week on Good Morning Rockland! Take a listen to the show for a great conversation and to learn more about Homeworthy’s programs. |
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We’re incredibly grateful to 100 Women Who Care Knox County for their generous $800 gift to The Landing Place this past week. This support helps ensure that local youth continue to have access to a safe, welcoming space, trusted adults, and the resources they need during a critical time of year. |
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We’re thankful for community partners who show up for young people in meaningful ways, and for the collective impact that generosity like this makes possible. |
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Tax Season is Here: Give Back |
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| Dave Perry is a local tax professional who offers income tax preparation in exchange for donations to local non-profits. During the 2025 tax season, Dave’s work inspired more than $20,000 in donations to local non-profits, including Homeworthy! |
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Please email Dave for more info. We’d love for you to consider partnering with Dave to get your taxes filed and help out Homeworthy as well! Dave also encourages other retired professionals to offer services in exchange for donations - please reach out to us at donations@homeworthy.org if you’re interested. |
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| Homeworthy is hiring for a few exciting roles at the moment, including:
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All staff at Homeworthy play a vital role in supporting our mission of breaking cycles of poverty and homelessness in Midcoast Maine. Consider applying today! |
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Important Thriftworthy Update |
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We’re so grateful for the excitement around Thriftworthy! We appreciate your patience as we prepare our new space. We’re currently targeting an April 2026 opening and will share spring donation drop-off dates ahead of time. We’re excited to bring this space to life in the best way that serves our community! If you have any questions about Thriftworthy, please reach out to donations@homeworthy.org. |
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The Landing Place Holiday Recap |
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A huge thank you to everyone who was a part of The Landing Place holiday hoopla! Right before Christmas, the drop-in center was transformed into a free “North Pole department store,” welcoming 70+ local youth who were able to pick out and take home gifts for their loved ones.
Thanks to an incredible group of community volunteers, gifts were wrapped with care, while another team helped serve a hearty holiday meal. We are especially grateful to Larry and the team at Dry Dock, who prepared a delicious roasted chicken dinner with all the fixings, with extra take-home meals so youth could share with their families.
Before heading out for the night, each young person received a gift bag of their own and left with a full belly and a smile. As we reflect on the holiday season, we’re reminded that even amid the very real challenges facing youth and families in the Midcoast, moments like these affirm the power of community. |
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Community Member Highlight: Jack Carpenter |
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Jack Carpenter is a former Homeworthy board member and long-time youth advocate. Jack was part of the original group who came together to form the Knox County Homeless Coalition (Homeworthy’s former name). He is also the Executive Director of Youth Forum Maine. We sat down with him to chat about his story and why he chooses to continue supporting Homeworthy and The Landing Place.
Q: What is the origin story behind your connection to Homeworthy/The Landing Place, and how are you still connected to this work? |
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Jack: When the Breakwater Emergency Homeless Teen Shelter closed in 2008, a group of us came together to form what would eventually become KCHC. It was important to me that there be a youth element to KCHC. Eventually, The Landing Place came to be with the support of Joe and Ellen Sudow, who were huge catalysts in finding the drop-in center space.
This work is a calling. When I was young, I had a mentor who cared about me and invited me to be a student leader. He also introduced me to spirituality and a connection to God. During college, I volunteered with young folks, and I’ve worked with at-risk kids ever since.
Now, I see myself as a cheerleader for The Landing Place and Homeworthy. I meet with Joseph once a week, to share ideas and support.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about the Youth Transportation Fund? J: The Youth Transportation Fund came about when I asked Joseph what the most consistent pressing issue youth are facing. Transportation is something that is always a barrier in our young folks in this area. My brother-in-law really wanted to find a cause to give to that would have a tangible effect. I also asked another friend to match those funds. These funds can be accessed for car repairs, driver’s ed, new tires, and even bikes.
Q: What do you wish more folks in the community understood about our local youth? J: What young folks need to hear more from the adults in the community is simple: “you matter”. We need to let them know that the adults around them care about them. Programs don’t change lives - relationships do. It’s all about building caring relationships with young people! |
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Become a Homeworthy Mission Mover! |
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Looking for a simple way to make a lasting impact? Our Homeworthy Mission Movers monthly giving program makes it easy to support neighbors in Midcoast Maine all year long.
Mission Movers commit to a recurring monthly gift at any level that feels right for them. Even $5 a month adds up to meaningful support over a year. Monthly giving helps us plan ahead and respond quickly when individuals, families, and youth need us most. |
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As a thank you, every Mission Mover receives a sticker in the mail to celebrate their commitment to our organization. If you’re looking for a way to spread your giving out over time, we’d love to welcome you as a Homeworthy Mission Mover! |
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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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