We Do it Differently:
THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE SHOULDN'T BE SO HARD
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• This family is sleeping in their car.
• His one bag of groceries cost $115.
• Gas for her commute is half her wages.
• Their rent increased by 47%.
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Increasing rents. High gasoline prices. Escalating grocery costs. These are the scenarios many Midcoast Mainers like Andrew*, above, are finding themselves in.
Despite working two jobs, medical debt and divorce left him with no savings to fall back on. Many working Mainers such as Andrew who were once too proud to ask for help are now calling the Knox County Homeless Coalition (KCHC).
For the first time in our history, KCHC is serving more than 1,000 people day in and day out. We have expanded our emergency support program to provide food, water, tents, blankets, and more to individuals and families who are waiting for client care services. We have 99 families on our waiting list. We are providing outreach services to families of youth who attend our drop in programming. And we continue to work with clients after they find housing to support them in their stability goals.
As the housing shortage reaches crisis levels, we are also investing in truly affordable housing options so our neighbors like Andrew won’t end up on the street—or worse.
*Names are changed to protect client
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Your support is critical to our ability to continue to help Andrew and many others like him in our community— so much so, that an anonymous donor has stepped up to match the first $100,000 raised between now and the end of the year!
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• Their gift helped a mom and child escape domestic violence.
• Her gift helped a family furnish their first apartment, making it feel like home.
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• His gift helped a teenager get tutoring and graduate from high school.
• Your gift could keep his car on the road so he doesn't lose his job.
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Our People:
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
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As a child, Kaitlyn* was the victim of domestic assault which resulted in depression, anxiety, and PTSD. When she became pregnant in her early 20s, Kaitlyn was unable to continue the treatments she had relied on to support her mental health. She reached out to KCHC in 2021 when her partner left, ending their plans to purchase a home together.
With the support of our shelter staff, Kaitlyn, a Certified Nursing Aide, was able to work right up until her daughter was born. Through collaboration and advocacy on the part of KCHC, mom and baby moved into an apartment in early 2022.
Kaitlyn is an incredibly loving mother. She is motivated to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for her daughter—creating a new cycle of care and nurturance. Kaitlyn paid off her college debt and is enrolled in a nursing program at the University of Maine at Augusta.
Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, and through the trusting relationship that Kaitlyn has with her KCHC case manager and the new friends she has made, she is confident and hopeful about her future.
*Names are changed to protect client
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It Takes a Village:
WORKING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY
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We recently received a very generous grant award from the Keybank Foundation in support of our Case Management program. Donations like these bridge the gap between what public funding covers and what is needed, allowing us to do the right thing, providing comprehensive programs and services to adults, families, and youth in Midcoast Maine, supporting clients to achieve sustainable independence and a hopeful future. Above: members of the Rockland branch of KeyBank and the KCHC Development Team.
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Thank you to the amazing organization Gotta Have Sole for donating 70 pairs of brand new shoes for local youth in our programs! Since its inception in 2021, Gotta Have Sole has donated new footwear to over 100,000 children in homeless shelters across every state in the US. KCHC received shoes for kids from preschool to high school and all name brands from Nike to Addidas to Converse and more. What a morale booster to start the season off with a brand new pair of kicks!
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Thank you to Maine Agriculture in the Classroom for their recent generous grant to The Landing Place's Friendship Garden program!
The Landing Place's Friendship Garden is a fun program for youth to learn how to garden and hangout with positive role models and friends. All youth (6th grade or older) can stop by during drop-in hours to learn about planting, maintaining a garden, and harvesting. During the winter we will be planning the garden and during the spring we will be building new raised beds and planting. Make sure to stick around for the harvest. No registration or fees necessary, just come by to join in the fun!
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Show your support by purchasing a reusable bag this October!
Thank you Hannaford! During the entire month of October, for every reusable Community Bag you purchase at the Hannaford store at 145 Elm Street in Camden, Knox County Homeless Coalition will receive $1.
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Show your support by purchasing a reusable bag this November!
Knox County Homeless Coalition has been selected to receive $1 from every $3.00 reusable GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Bag sold during the month of November 2022 at Shaw's 235 Camden Street, Rockland ME.
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The Scone Goddess will be supporting KCHC during the month of November. Enter code "hope" in the promo box at check out and they will donate $3 per mix sold. In addition, 5% of fresh baked scone sales at the Scone Goddess shop in Northport during the month of November will be donated!
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Local youth are invited to join us for a Get Out The Vote / Youth Rally scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 3-4 pm @The Landing Place, which is located at 61 Park Street!
This will be a bi-partisan facilitated Q&A listening session with Senate District 12 Republican candidate, Scott Rocknack, and Senate District 12 Democratic candidate, Pinny Beebe Center. All local youth are welcome to attend and will have the chance to ask the candidates questions about topics that are important to them.
Pizza and refreshments will be served and the TLP FREE STORE will open for business!
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Vehicles Needed
We are actively seeking cars with at least one to two years of life left. One of the biggest barriers to self sufficiency for the populations we serve is lack of reliable transportation. Transportation was listed as a barrier to 87% of our clients on intake last year.
A working vehicle can make the difference between keeping or losing a job, attending or missing medical appointments, getting to the pharmacy, accessing child-care, supporting elderly parents, as well as keeping social connections and shopping for food and diapers or hygiene and cleaning supplies. This is especially true in the rural areas we serve.
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Please consider a vehicle donation today and/or help us spread the word. Click here now for more info on how to make a donation.
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The Landing Place FALL Schedule
DROP-IN CENTER & FREE STORE | Free food, clothing, hygiene products, art supplies & take home suppers available Monday-Thursday 12-5 PM — or just say hello!
Youth Center Programming
MONDAYS | 2 - 5 pm | Makers Space Classes: On-site at TLP with Kim Bernard
TUESDAYS | 2 - 5 pm | After School Programming: On-site activities and off-site excursions for middle and high school age youth.
WEDNESDAYS | 2 - 5 pm |
- Community Minded Jobs: Earn either high school community service credit or a gift card for participating in local community service projects.
- Academic Tutoring: Available Wednesday afternoons as needed, please let a staff member know if you’re interested.
- One-on-One Mentoring: Available Wednesday afternoons as needed, please let a staff member know if you’re interested.
THURSDAYS | 2 - 5 pm | After School Programming: On-site activities and off-site excursions for middle and high school age youth.
For more information: call 207-466-9285, email info@thelandingplaceme.org, or visit TLP's webpage.
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We Are Hiring For Multiple Positions!
- Assistant Shelter Manager
- Client Care Specialist/Case Manager
- Donor Relations Specialist
- Shelter Support Staff (Per Diem)
Click here for more info.
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Check our Facebook and Instagram every Wednesday for a list of items we are currently seeking for KCHC clients.
Our team is only able to accept donations by appointment. If you are interested in donating new or like-new items to help community members in need please call (207) 593-8151 or email donations@homehelphope.org to schedule a time. Or click here for more info about donating goods and/or services.
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Lasting Impressions:
PUMPKINS WITH PERSONALITY
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When you carve a pumpkin you can impose on it any personality you like, whether your feeling goofy, angry, cuddly, or shy it is a great opportunity for self expression. Above, the youth program pumpkins stand guard at the fence of the drop-in center.
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