I hope this newsletter finds you happy and healthy. I’d like to share some updates about the great things that are happening here at KCHC.
First off, I am so proud of our team - a team that hasn't slowed down for even a day since this pandemic hit and the world turned upside down. Our internal mantra over the last few weeks has been 'do the right thing' and has united us as the 'do the right thing squad'.
We have had to reimagine many of the ways we provide support. It’s been quite a whirlwind – but one that has led to many positive outcomes. The impact on the families we serve is quite powerful to see.
Virtual social work is ongoing and being delivered in ways that keep people safe, engaged, and moving forward. Virtual art and creativity workshops are flourishing, Rock Band is now at the shelter, and we have a beautiful meal donated there weekly by a local restaurant, as well as to the hotel we now have set up for additional safe shelter.
Last week one of our single dads who is staying in our shelter for the duration of COVID-19 waved at me in the parking lot and thanked me, saying the special Sunday meals make them feel like somebody cares. COVID is an added layer of trauma and trigger for already traumatized people. Having the knowledge that ‘somebody cares’ can make all the difference.
In the darkest of times, the light of compassion and empathy, and the willingness to reach out to others is what matters most. I hope you’ll take a moment to read through some of the wonderful and positive things that are currently happening in the newsletter below.
With thanks,
Steph Primm
Executive Director
The KCHC Difference:
FOCUS ON CONNECTION
With the sudden onset of the coronavirus and the danger of COVID-19, the needs of homeless individuals and families have never been greater. Perhaps more than ever, these needs include basic human connection.
Online art classes and our Super Skills program engage youth by providing fun activities and basic life skills education that often isn't available to our participants elsewhere.
Thanks to a few commercial establishments, monetary donations from concerned citizens, and efficient distribution by Good Shepherd Food Bank and the USDA we’re keeping up with the approximately 150% increase in food and supply needs. We have been continuing with outbound no-contact food and supply drops for all Knox County Homeless Coalition families.
Get a raw look at preparing to go out on a weekly delivery.
Our deliveries of food and supplies are not just a bag of potatoes and canned goods. They are thoughtfully assembled bags of hope and nutrition for mind, body and spirit: clothing, hygiene/cleaning supplies, and a moment to connect with another human, and a reminder to our clients that we're in this with them and that we aren't going anywhere until every last one of them is through this and on the other side.
9500+
The number of pounds of food we received to distribute to our families in need in Knox, Waldo, and northern parts of Lincoln counties for the month of May.
25
The number of additional families we've found emergency temporary shelter for since the stay-at-home orders went into effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are a few of the 40+ employees of Knox County Homeless Coalition in a recent staff Zoom meeting. These are the faces behind making sure that families in the Midcoast are sheltered and fed and warm and on their way to sustainable, hopeful, futures in homes of their own.
It takes a well oiled machine to provide the kind of life-saving support that KCHC does and that includes everyone from client care specialists to shelter staff, data entry, telephone support, drivers, human resource staff, finance and accounting, operations and compliance staff, communications and development, volunteers, and leadership.
Thank you to all our staff and their children, families, spouses, and pets that all allow them to do the wonderful job they do!
Mondays, 3-5 p.m. (middle and high school age students)
TLP Monday Makers on Zoom
Wednesdays 3-4 p.m. (for TLP siblings under age 12)
Art Zoom
Watch Now
Join The Landing Place Teen Center Coordinator, Kim Bernard, as she teaches us how to learn the "Super Skill" of making our own pickles. Don't have cukes? Get some seeds started now so you'll have more than enough come the middle of summer!
Listen In
Broadcast live for "Giving Tuesday Now", case-manager-by-day and musician-by-night Ryan Moody shares his creative talents as a way of showing appreciation to all those who have extended kindness and generosity to KCHC over the past 9 weeks.
Stretch With Us
During these unprecedented times, who doesn't need 5 minutes to help get their mind off the trials of the day and give their body the opportunity to stretch and relax. Try 5-Minute Yoga, brought to you by TLP "Super Skills". Three skill levels to choose from making it doable for almost anyone!
Zoom In
2:30-5:30 pm
Just because the drop-in center is closed, doesn't mean kids can't "drop in". Every Tuesday and Thursday those who would have joined us on Park Street can hang out, play games & laugh on Zoom. Hosted by Mike, with Joseph, Ben, & Kim as guests. Message us for the link.
Tuesday, 3-5 p.m.,
5/26 theme - Show Off Your Pet
Thursday, 3-5 p.m.,
5/21 theme - Celebrity Look Alike
5/28 theme - Team Spirit
It Takes a Village:
HIGHLIGHTING OUR COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY
1.
Chef Michael puts the finishing touches on carrot cake. Thank you to the Hartstone Inn for preparing dinner for a group staying in temporary shelter solutions in Waldo county.
A huge shout out to Rayr in Rockport for taking on supplying soup one day a week to the folks in a satellite emergency shelter location in Knox county that we have secured thanks to our partnership with Maine State Housing Authority.
4.
We are so grateful to Sewing Masks for Maine and to Pen Bay Medical Center for donating face coverings to make sure our staff and all the clients going back to work could have some.
5.
Thank you to the latest restaurant to join the team, Nina June of Rockport, providing a weekly meal to our shelter residents this May.
Lasting Impressions:
HOME HELP AND HOPE COME IN MANY FORMS
When the Governor opened up fishing season amid the Coronavirus threat, our board members made sure our guests at the shelter had some fishing rods to help them pass the time. One little 3-year old who wanted to be "just like dad" couldn't manage the larger rods so his father made him one from a stick, some eye hooks, and an old pole handle. Something small like this shows us that every day, even during a pandemic, we have the opportunity to find hope and inspiration from even the small things.
Thank you for taking the time to read about some of the great things that are happening here at KCHC and in our community. We wish you a happy spring!
As always, if you or someone you know and love needs assistance and is experiencing homelessness—please reach out to KCHC at 207-593-8151 or email us atinfo@homehelphope.org.
