| Dear Friends, Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to show up for one another over time. As Homeworthy prepares to move into a new office building next month and open the doors to a new community thrift store, I’ve found myself marveling at how far we’ve come. There is excitement in building something new, in creating spaces that will allow us to serve our community in deeper and more sustainable ways. But more than anything, these milestones remind me that organizations like Homeworthy are built slowly over time, through people who choose to show up for others again and again. This month, we are celebrating one of our longtime case managers as he retires after many years of service. People like him, and so many others who have shaped this organization over the years, are part of the reason Homeworthy has become what it is today. People whose steady presence shaped not only our programs, but the culture of care that lives within Homeworthy. Every week, we witness neighbors stepping forward to contribute. A volunteer offers their time. A local business donates supplies. Someone drops off a meal, writes a check, helps move furniture, attends an event, or simply asks how they can help. Much of this support arrives without being asked for. It comes from people who see a need in their community and decide they want to be part of the response. I continue to be deeply moved by that kind of generosity. At a time when the challenges facing this region can feel overwhelming, I am reminded over and over again that none of this work belongs to one person or one organization alone. It takes all of us, as it always has. As you read through this month’s newsletter, I hope you can take a moment to reflect on the ways you can contribute to your own communities. Not because any one person can solve everything, but because each of us has something meaningful to offer. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is find the way we are able to show up consistently. Thank you for continuing to be part of this work alongside us. Sincerely, |
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| Molly Feeney Executive Director, Homeworthy |
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A final, final update! After an incredibly busy “short session”, shelters across Maine are breathing a little easier thanks to the support of this legislature. Homeworthy wants to extend a personal thanks to Senator Chip Curry, who continued to fight for this very important funding in back to back sessions, and ensured shelter leaders across the state had the opportunity to be heard while engaging in creative solutions for our neighbors. Maine shelters achieved the first permanent funding increase in 10 years, and also secured enough one time funding to buoy vulnerable shelters across Maine. This has been a story of collaboration, shared missions, and deep commitment on the part of lawmakers and shelter leaders across the state. |
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The Landing Place On The Air |
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Recently, The Landing Place was featured on the local radio show Good Morning Rockland to discuss the importance of supporting Midcoast youth and the collaborative work happening throughout our community.
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| Director Joseph Hufnagel and Assistant Director of Youth Services Emily Carver were joined by community partners and local teens Finn and Nevaeh to share more about the safe, supportive space The Landing Place provides for young people in our region. The conversation highlighted mentorship, basic needs support, and the Youth Envisioning Team, a youth-led initiative that encourages students to share concerns and support one another. |
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Uproot Pie Co. Cookbook Fundraiser Returns |
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The Uproot Pie Co are hosting the 3rd Annual Cookbook Fundraiser in support of Homeworthy! This year’s event is happening on Sunday, June 7, from 10AM-2PM. Admission is free! You’ll browse donated cookbooks, discover new culinary inspiration, and connect with other food lovers.
Cookbooks are being accepted as donations at the following locations: The Carriage House: 9 Green St, Thomaston Lucky Betty's: 46 Elm St, Camden Arctic Tern Books: 432 Main St, Rockland
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| Save The Date: Book Launch |
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You’re Invited! Don Carpenter is hosting a book launch at Rock City Cafe on Wednesday, June 24 from 6-7:30PM.
Don is not only the founding Executive Director of Trekkers and a longtime thought partner of Homeworthy, but also someone who helped inspire and shape the vision for The Landing Place. His new book, Do No Harm: The Youth Worker’s Promise, explores the values and commitments that are at the heart of ethical youth work and compassionate mentorship. |
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| | A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Katie’s ChangeMakers for choosing Homeworthy as the recipient of their recent community fundraiser, raising $2,286!
From handmade flowers and garden creatures created by local children, to collaborations with the Rockport Public Library, Bella Point, and Seaside Village Preschool, this project brought together neighbors of all ages.
We are so grateful to Ms. Katie’s ChangeMakers and to Laugh Loud, Smile Big for hosting the market. Thank you for helping make our community brighter in more ways than one! |
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| Director of Development Chrys deLorimier & some of the ChangeMakers |
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The Landing Place Spring Celebration |
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| Last week, The Landing Place hosted its annual Spring Celebration, bringing together more than 20 community organizations and approximately 160 community members for an afternoon centered around youth connection, creativity, and joy.
From arts activities and a spring parade through downtown Rockland to shared meals, open mic moments, games, and community-building activities, the event was a vibrant celebration of local youth and the many people and organizations who support them. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers, artists, community partners, staff, and young people who helped make the day so special. The energy you that poured into this event was palpable! |
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| | | Staff Highlight: Bill Meade |
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Bill Meade, a longtime case manager at Homeworthy, is retiring at the end of this month after years of dedicated service to our community.
Reflecting on Bill’s impact, Executive Director Molly Feeney shared, “Bill embodies the true meaning of service. His career has had an impact on more lives than can ever be quantified. In every relationship, he showed up with grace, commitment, and compassion. Homeworthy’s approach to support has been shaped directly by Bill, and we will be forever grateful for his service.” We asked Bill to reflect on his time at Homeworthy; here he is in his own words. |
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| Q: What first brought you to Homeworthy and this work? In 2014, I answered an ad for case manager in the Free Press. I felt like I had returned home, professionally, that all of the work I had done for the previous twenty years, as a therapist and case manager, with children, older adults, and families had led to this point. I never intentionally planned to work on behalf of the homeless. Overall, life and its many lessons and teachers led me here. Like stepping stones. My mother, who I adored, dedicated her life to service. I aspired to be just like her. My favorite job, until I came here, was the volunteer work I did at a nursing home. That experience taught me empathy, sensitivity, patience, and the power of listening. I was mentored by a dear friend in college, a 65-year old gay white man who marched with Martin Luther King, who, like my mother, imparted unconditional love, acceptance, and encouragement and taught me that all people are equally important.
My father served in the Foreign Service. During that time and beyond, I lived in over 30 homes around the world and learned to get along with many different people. I became homeless at times. Because of the trauma of upheaval from home, school, friends, and community, I developed mental illness and used substances to cope. I was expelled from high school for drug use, though with the support of my mother, I got a second chance to finish. Due in large part to her advocacy, I got into college. There my mentor helped turn my life around. Before I graduated, I wanted to become a social worker. After getting married and having children, I got my master in social work. In retrospect, I came to KCHC to pay it forward, to offer clients what I received along the way, to impart the same unconditional kindness, respect, and encouragement.
Q: When you reflect on your time at Homeworthy, what moments or experiences stand out to you the most? Developing relationships with clients. Being let into their lives and being entrusted with their care has been precious. Witnessing extraordinary courage and honesty, along with the willingness to go out on that limb and take steps to risk extending their lives has been humbling.
Collaboration, internal and between Homeworthy and other community resources also stood out. Often the cause was a fundraiser. Or an appeal of a denial by a landlord. When the outcome was in the client’s favor, the effort was more rewarding. It was humbling to be involved in an effort that recognized the client’s humanity. A notable fundraising moment included the raising of tens of thousands of dollars for a client to make a down payment on a house. Being there when a client is housed is heartwarming, especially when their needs are dire and they have had the door slammed in their face many times. Beautiful to witness a client finally given a chance, to be seen as a human being and not as a felon or an addict. One client, a man who had been sober for eight months, cried when he was offered a home last December. He had fought so hard for that basic right. We hugged.
Being there when a client advances their education is also special. Two of my clients enrolled in college, each wanting to be a counselor. One of these clients, the first in her family to attend college, expressed pride in herself, remarking that she had earned As.
Q: As you prepare for retirement, what message would you like to leave for your colleagues and the Homeworthy community? Thank you! It has been an honor to have worked with such compassionate human beings through the years. Our neck of the woods is a better place because of you! I am a better man because of you! |
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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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