8 years, 30 selections, $2,608 in donations
Since May 2016, Homeworthy has been selected to benefit from the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs 30 times at 3 different Hannaford locations. In total, the organization has received $2,608 in donations to continue eliminating barriers for people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
Tell us about Homeworthy.
At Homeworthy, our mission is to break the cycles of poverty and homelessness in Midcoast Maine. We believe everyone is worthy of a home, and we also recognize that being unhoused is not a simple challenge. There are often very complicated factors, including generational poverty, current circumstances, and environmental factors.
We believe everyone is worthy of a home, and we also recognize that being unhoused is not a simple challenge.
Midcoast Maine has a wide continuum of incomes, from multigenerational fishermen to a seasonal workforce that sees Maine as part of their home. Our commitment has always been to look at the full story of this area and utilize state, federal, personal, and private resources to answer what our community members need.
In collaboration with various community leaders, Homeworthy began ten years ago under the name Knox County Homeless Coalition by creating a family center called the Hospitality House. We took a faltering shelter program and appealed to Maine State Housing as a collaborative. Today, we run a beautiful shelter with 22 beds, an outreach case management program serving over 500 individuals, youth case management, and a free youth drop-in center. We’re also developing affordable housing solutions with partners throughout the region.
What services do you provide to the community?
Our original service is the Hospitality House. This family shelter serves all families, including dads with kiddos, moms with kiddos, platonic families, and blended families. This program prioritizes youth experiencing homelessness. If there are still beds available, we are also able to serve single females.
One of our widest-reaching service provisions is outreach case management. At any given time, Homeworthy supports over 170 neighbors and their families in the pursuit of finding stable housing, totaling over 500 individuals. Through our outreach case management, we look at the holistic needs of the family to figure out the type of barrier removal support they need. For example, someone might need help finishing a high school diploma, accessing post-secondary childcare support, navigating federal assistance programs, or finding employment opportunities. Our goal is to get each person to their own level of stable living in permanent housing.
Our goal is to get each person to their own level of stable living in permanent housing.
For young adults, the Landing Place offers transitional apartments for youth between the ages of 18 and 22, a drop-in center, outreach services, and community networking. We do a lot to support local schools and offer youth case management for unaccompanied minors.
How has Homeworthy used the donations from the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs to further its mission?
These unique opportunities allow us to use donations at our own discretion for client support, helping eliminate barriers. For example, if somebody gets an apartment but doesn’t have enough money for a security deposit, we can tap into these funds. We also frequently utilize client support to help youth access funds for driver education.
This year, a lot of our funding has also gone toward supplies for urgent needs. This funding gives folks something in their moment of need, whether it is a tent, food access, or transportation to an available shelter bed.
Tell us a story about a program, service, or initiative the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs have supported.
A young lady, now 19 years old, and her mom were multiyear clients of ours. She grew up without stable housing, bouncing back and forth between neighbors and family members until she was offered an apartment through our youth program.
Sadly, when she turned 18 years old, her mom passed away due to a terrible, fast-moving bout of cancer. We continued to work with her mom all the way up until the end.
Despite her challenging circumstances, we helped this young lady reach a turning point by providing a vehicle, financed partially through client support funds. She acquired this vehicle shortly before her mom passed away, and with it, there was no stopping her. She began working 24-30 hours a week while she finished high school. She’s currently enrolled in college and working a full-time job. She is living in one of our transitional youth apartments while she saves money for a down payment on a house. Everything has really shifted for her.
This story gave us a poignant visual of the multigenerational work required to break these cycles. It can be one moment or one thing that may seem insignificant, but it can give that person the hope they need to change their perspective and stay committed.
Have you noticed any changes in community awareness or support since becoming involved in the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs?
Hannaford has such an incredible reputation, and even the bags themselves have a reputation! People look to which organization the bags are sponsoring, knowing Hannaford stands behind important organizations that do really good work. Being chosen brings a real moment of pride.
The program also creates a conversational point between our organization and Hannaford, building a pathway for further support. Especially for our young people, Hannaford has some of the greatest programs to incentivize employment and early engagement that can grow into an incredible career. This connection has made these programs even more accessible.
This partnership shows how Hannaford lifts up community organizations from a place of belief. It makes us feel like we share a goal and a dream for this community. Groceries and food are not a small part of human needs. Even though we are different constructs of organizations, we have a lot in common regarding what we are trying to create for the world.
This partnership shows how Hannaford lifts up community organizations from a place of belief.
What advice would you give to other nonprofits participating in the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs?
Being present and responsive to the community is so important. Sometimes, the programs spark curiosity, so making sure you are easily accessible and responsive to questions will help your organization become better understood.
Interview with Molly Freeney, Executive Director