Our People:
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
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Be yourself and don't be afraid to live!
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That's the message Transitional Living Program resident Rowan wants us to remember.
Rowan was first introduced to The Landing Place in high school through their after-school activities for youth. After graduation, when he found himself unable to remain housed with his mother and sister, he knew he could get a case manager through the Knox County Homeless Coalition (KCHC) to help him navigate this next phase of life.
Describing his relationship with Youth Case Manager Molly, Rowan says, "I'm a quiet person, and I struggle with anxiety. I also have a hard time making appointments for myself and making phone calls. Molly helps me with those things. In the very beginning, she would set up appointments for me, showing me step by step so I could see how to do it, role modeling how I could become more independent. Now, I make the appointments myself, but I still find it hard to do. She gently pushes me forward, and she is always finding different resources that are a big help.”
Rowan says he doesn’t know where he would be without KCHC, the Transitional Living Program that has offered him a sense of freedom than he's never felt before, and a safe home while he figures out next steps. With the support of his case manager, he hopes to share his love of art by drawing, painting, and working to become a professional tattoo artist.
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Reserved for individuals between the ages of 18 and 22 and emancipated minors who are receiving case management services and are in urgent need of safe, reliable, and affordable housing, our Transitional Living Program consists of four efficiency studio apartments adjacent to our youth center in Rockland, Maine.
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The heartwarming text message exchange above between a KCHC client and their case manager shows the life-changing impact of this work on real people right here in our community.
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Your Support Matters.
Lack of affordable housing continues to be the number one reason people seek our services. Last year, our housing specialists helped 106 people find housing, a 51% increase over 2021. We are currently working with private and public partners to bring even more housing to the Midcoast area, as our Talbot Avenue development is set to be move-in ready in early 2024.
*Photo credit: Patrisha McLean
Private donations make up almost 65% of our total operating budget.
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Kat's so grateful she wants to pay it forward!
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"Bill, I'd be dead if it wasn't for God and all of you, you can't put a price on that. I couldn't be happier to have you all in my life. You all gave me a chance. Thank you. I feel so good about me these days. I'm content to have a future to look forward to. I just want to say with all your support and encouragement I'm getting somewhere. I can't even imagine being where I would be without it."
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"A friend asked me the other day, ‘what are you going to do when you are finished?’ I said, ‘reach back and help others get to the top.’ You are amazing people! To everyone who gave me a second chance—it's nice to be able to have a home so I can reach my goals"
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Please consider supporting a client like Kat and/or help us spread the word. Click here to donate today, follow us on Facebook or Instagram, or visit homehelphope.org to learn more about what we do.
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Doing it Differently:
BUILDING, HOUSING, FEEDING & COLLABORATING
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Knox County Homeless Coalition, Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, and AIO Food and Energy Assistance invites the community to participate in a fun gingerbread house contest! This event combines our core strengths of building, housing, and feeding; and educates the community on housing and food insecurity and what these organizations do to collaborate and address the needs of our community.
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The Gingerbread House Bake Off is open to all, with three categories: Professional, Amateur, and Youth. The event will take place at 16 Bay View Hotel in Camden during Christmas by the Sea, December 1-2. Find out how you can get involved here.
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We are hiring for multiple positions.
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We seek caring, dedicated, and flexible team members with a sense of humor to become a part of our mission-driven organization. Help us create, implement, and improve programs to support the most vulnerable members of our community.
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Click here for more info on open positions and how to apply!
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It Takes a Village:
WORKING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY
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Talbot Avenue Development Update
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Construction on our much-needed affordable housing venture continues at 165 Talbot Ave, affectionately referred to as "Firefly Field"!
The photo above shows houses going up at our Talbot Avenue community in Rockland. We are teaming up with Midcoast Habitat for Humanity and Maine State Housing Authority to create this neighborhood community to serve as a model for other towns across Maine and the U.S. looking for affordable and sustainable solutions. The neighborhood will include six cottages, two duplexes with multi-bedroom apartments, and three Habitat homes. There will be both rental and home ownership options in this diverse community, within walking distance of downtown.
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For more information on volunteering with Habitat for Humanity visit: https://midcoasthabitat.org/volunteer/.
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Thank You United Midcoast Charities!
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Pictured: UMC Board Member Jim Povec and KCHC Chief Development Officer Becca Gildred
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United Midcoast Charities recently presented KCHC with a check for $22,000. Every bit of support is so vital to fulfilling our mission of breaking cycles of poverty and homelessness in Midcoast Maine. A long time supporter of KCHC, United Midcoast Charities has awarded grants totaling $10 million to hundreds of local agencies. Thank you UMC!
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Thank you West Bay Rotary for once again delivering backpacks to us for KCHC families!
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Since 2020 Nina June restaurant in Rockport has provided almost 2,000 meals to Knox County Homeless Coalition adult and youth clients. Pictured below, longtime KCHC volunteer Lynn unloading Nina June hot meals outside the Hospitality House Family shelter and meals ready to eat. To find out more about how you can support KCHC visit homehelphope.org/donate.
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You can volunteer just once, once in a while, or regularly.
Above, a crew from Camden National Bank puts together a donated Cedarworks play set for our youth in shelter. If you would like to volunteer with us, please fill out our volunteer application form and we will be in touch with more details.
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Knox County Homeless Coalition has been selected again to benefit from the Community Bag Program. KCHC will receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold during the month of November 2023 at the Rockland, ME Hannaford location!
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Located in the heart of downtown Rockland, The Landing Place youth center supports highly resilient and often marginalized youth living in Midcoast Maine.
For more information about the current schedule visit the TLP page on our website, call 207-466-9285, or email info@thelandingplaceme.org.
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We’re participating in the Target Circle program! You can vote for us when you shop at Target and help direct Target’s giving to benefit KCHC. For full program details and restrictions visit Target Circle at target.com/circle.
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Check our Facebook and Instagram pages every Wednesday for a list of items we are currently seeking for KCHC clients.
Currently, 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, click here, or email donations@homehelphope.org to schedule a time. Or click here for more info about donating goods and/or services.
Click here if you would like to sign up to receive weekly email alerts containing current Wishlist Wedneday items.
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Lasting Impressions:
Poetry
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This poem was written by KCHC Data Compliance Specialist Darleen.
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