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| Dear friends,
This month, I find myself reflecting on the power of people, and how we show up for each other in ways both big and small. How together, we create meaningful change that none of us could accomplish alone.
In June, the passage of LD 698 marked a crucial step forward for Maine’s emergency shelter system. Homeworthy played a leadership role in advocating for this legislation, which increases the state’s daily shelter subsidy and brings much-needed stability to shelters across Maine. This one-time funding helps ensure that all of Maine’s emergency shelters can continue providing a pathway forward for families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
At the same time, we witnessed another act of generosity closer to home. The Renovation Husbands, local influencers and design experts, donated their time, energy, and talent to transform the backyard at The Landing Place, our youth drop-in center and programming space, into a beautiful and functional outdoor haven. This gift will ripple outward in ways that are hard to measure but deeply felt by every young person who walks through our doors.
Both of these moments - one changing policy on a statewide level, the other changing a single backyard - are testaments to what’s possible when community comes together. They remind us that hope isn’t abstract; it’s built day by day, with every human act of advocacy, kindness, and partnership.
Thank you for being one of our people. Together, we are making a difference, one policy, one backyard, and one life at a time.
Warmly, |
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| Molly Feeney Executive Director, Homeworthy |
| | Renovation Husbands Pulled Off the Greatest Backyard Redesign Ever! |
| | | If you haven’t seen our raving social media posts about it, please do check out the amazing work of the Renovation Husbands at The Landing Place! The also put together a really special video reel sharing their experience during the project. A special shoutout as well to Justin Long, who helped with the excavation process. Check the video out at the button below! |
| | | | One-Time State Funding Bolsters Maine's Emergency Shelters Maine has taken a significant step to shore up its emergency shelter system with the passage of LD 698, which will distribute $4.4 million to shelters statewide. This one-time funding boost is a lifeline for all 40 of the state's emergency shelters, which have been operating at capacity amid soaring demand, pandemic fallout, and inflation-driven cost increases.
The legislation drew strong support from a broad coalition, including Tedford Housing, Preble Street, Homeworthy, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Homeless Services of Aroostook, and others. LD 698 was championed by key legislators such as Senator Rachel Talbot Ross and Representatives Drew Gattine and Amy Roeder, as well as leadership across both chambers.
Executive directors from multiple organizations emphasized that while this funding doesn’t solve the sectors’ broader financial challenges, it will provide essential stability. This targeted investment will support shelters statewide, helping them continue to serve individuals and families in dire need. |
| | | Community Improvement Fund Boosts Affordable Housing Program in Lincoln County MaineHealth’s LincolnHealth and Mid Coast Hospital Community Health Improvement Committee has awarded $460,000 to support affordable housing efforts in Lincoln County. |
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| The funding will strengthen the work of Stepping Stone Housing, which provides transitional, low-rent housing to help families gain financial stability to folks in Lincoln County, by adding professional case management and wrap‑around services through a new partnership with Homeworthy. This collaboration will offer tenants expanded support in areas like food access, health, parenting, and transportation, addressing both immediate shelter needs and long‑term stability. Funded through the Community Improvement Fund launched in 2022, this initiative is part of a broader strategy to respond to critical local needs like housing and youth mental health, demonstrating the power of community partnerships to help families build a stronger foundation. |
| | | | | Join us in Hope on Saturday, July 26 for the second annual Hope Day! This year’s Hope Day event will be supporting Homeworthy, so please mark your calendars for this all-day event. The day begins with a 5K race and kids fun run in the morning at the Fire Station. Then there are kids activities from 12-3PM as well as a midday softball tournament! Next, join us for the parade a 3PM, followed by a local artisan market, food truck, and beer garden! Finally, we’ll close the night off with live music from Creatures of Habit at 7PM. Carpooling is encouraged - we hope to see you there! |
| | | Summer Programming at The Landing Place! |
| | Summer programming has kicked off at The Landing Place! Tuesdays and Thursdays, join us for activities like kickball, badminton, arts and crafts, bike rides, beach trips, and more! On Wednesdays, we’ll be offering a variation of our school-year offerings, including Community Minded Jobs, Rainbow Room, and Creative Vibe Collective. Check out the schedule above for dates. We’re also open every weekday for drop-in, so please share with the local youth in your life! |
| | Rockport Music Festival - Thank You! |
| | The Rockport Music Festival came to life last month on Sunday. June 22, and we have so many folks to thank! A huge thank you to the Rockport Opera House for hosting us, as well as the Rockport Common and the Lesher Family Foundation for supporting this vision. We're so grateful for our sponsors, Rockport Granite Interiors, Rockport Granite Inc., First National Bank, Brooks Trap Mill, and Fisher Engineering, as well as the amazing businesses and organizations that donated to our raffle.
A huge shoutout to Hot Hill Tavern for providing delicious eats and drinks and working with the last minute changes that needed to be made when we moved indoors. As well, another thank you goes to our amazing group of vendors who were so flexible and kind when we had to change venues. Thank you to Kerry Altiero, our intrepid emcee, for guiding us through the day, and of course, thank you to all the musicians who provided amazing tunes of all genres for the whole afternoon!
And finally, to all of you who came out - we're so lucky to be supported by this special community. We can't wait to do it again next year! |
| | | Supporter Spotlight: Kim Bernard |
| | Kim Bernard is a local artist and mentor who has been volunteering with Homeworthy and The Landing Place since their inception. She is a former employee who still spends many hours of the year volunteering her time with TLP. She also recently won the Art Educator of the Year Award here in Maine! We asked Kim why she chooses to continue supporting Homeworthy and The Landing Place, and these are her answers.
Q: How long have you been aware of Homeworthy/TLP? How did you first get involved as a donor/volunteer/etc? Soon after I moved to Rockland in 2014, I started volunteering, one afternoon a week, at Homeworthy’s (then KCHC) Hospitality House doing art projects with the children living there. It was after that, that I learned The Landing Place would be opening in 2017. I met Joseph Hufnagel, who invited me to attend the Grand Opening. I shifted my volunteering over to TLP, one afternoon a week, making art with the teens that would drop in. When a staff member took maternity leave, I stepped in to fill the gap temporarily, but ended up staying on part-time for 4 years. It was great! I developed TLP’s Maker Space, Monday Makers, Super Skills and built the TLPmobile. Working with Joseph and the TLP staff was a pleasure! When my own creative projects became more demanding, I transitioned from being staff back to volunteering one afternoon a week.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about working with Homeworthy/TLP? My favorite thing about working with the youth is actually bumping into them outside of TLP, out in the community, saying hi and chatting. It means to me that we’ve made enough of a meaningful connection at TLP, that they feel like connecting more. I also love to see the youth, who I’ve known for many years, who’ve become adults, and now they’re out there in the community working and contributing.
Q: What’s something you wish the general public knew/understood more about this work? Well, the first thing I wish the general public knew is how resilient teens are, provided they have the support, positive role models and opportunities they deserve. But also, despite how tough and intimidating they may present, they really do want to be included, to interact with you and be treated with respect, as a member of our community. Just be kind and reach out, they may surprise you. |
| | 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. |
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