Knox County Homeless Coalition

“The form 990 was prepared by an independent outside accounting firm with input from the organization's executive director, chief operating officer, and other staff. The form 990 was then reviewed by the executive director and circulated to the board of directors before it was filed.”

“Each member of the board of directors is required to complete a conflict of interest statement before taking a position with the board and at least annually thereafter. The statement includes a list of all businesses and other organizations of which he or she is an officer, director, member, owner, shareholder, employee, or agent with which knox county homeless coalition has or might be expected to have a relationship or transaction in which the board member might have a conflicting interest. The chairperson and board of directors review the statements of all directors in order to guide the conduct of the board should a conflict arise.”

“The process for reviewing the executive director's compensation includes full board of directors review, and review of published compensation comparability data from regional reporting organizations.”

“Knox county homeless coalition makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“Knox county homeless coalition (kchc) was founded in 2013, as a result of a grassroots community effort to re-imagine how homeless services are delivered in midcoast maine. Our innovative approach is focused on removing barriers and filling gaps with a trauma-informed, strengths based model that accompanies adults, youth, and whole families to greater health and well-being as thriving members of our society. In addition to providing direct services, we are also addressing the root causes of homelessness in midcoast maine, including lack of affordable housing and transportation, and the cycle of poverty and homelessness caused by multigenerational poverty. There is no single answer to homelessness-every situation is unique and requires a personalized solution. With the skilled and dedicated attention of our professional team, we support our clients not only in finding housing opportunities but also identifying goals that will create a sustainable path to a more hopeful and independent future. We work with clients to establish holistic goals, including physical health and wellness, nutrition and financial management education, mental and social- emotional health, further education toward better earning potential, and perhaps most important, a re-discovery of strengths, gifts, and what brings them joy. We are helping whole families make life changes that break through the barriers to a sustainable, independent future; with our comprehensive youth program, the landing place, we are deepening our capacity to reach homeless and at-risk youth and serve whole families in the most effective and impactful ways. Since opening the hospitality house doors in 2014, we have assisted more than 1,900 clients, and transitioned over 900 of them from the trauma of homelessness to the hope of a sustainable future. And for those client who remain active through program completion, we have a remarkable success rate for sustained independence of more than 90%. Our efforts are powered by a dedicated, passionate staff of 40 employees, including skilled case managers, masters-level social workers and educators, and a mental health specialist. In addition, approximately 260 volunteers from the community provide 3,000+ hours of time helping our clients with a variety of activities including mentorship, coordinating donations of food, clothing, and furniture and helping our clients move into their new homes. We enjoy broad support from community groups, individual donors and private foundations. We also receive funding from the maine department of health & human services and maine state housing authority. In our ongoing effort to address root causes and help prevent people from experiencing homelessness in the first place, we are continuing to innovate in collaboration with community partners, including midcoast habitat for humanity, local churches, area interfaith outreach food pantry, ymca, local school districts, and maine state housing authority. We are working together with these partners to develop a range of projects that will expand affordable housing, and increase shelter options, including a small footprint affordable housing community, efficiency apartments for young adults, a village of tiny homes as an extension of our family shelter, and a "host home" program for unaccompanied youth. We have also been working with community partners to explore the feasibility of providing emergency shelter solutions in the winter months. These activities and partnerships promote our vision of a supportive community within which all families and individuals have the opportunity for housing and a sustainable, productive life.”

“Comprehensive client care our professional client care team assists homeless individuals and families as they transition from crisis and uncertainty to stability and hope. Every person who enters our program is unique, and so each plan for care and support is tailored to evaluate and address their most urgent needs on an economic, physical, emotional and psychological level. Our thorough intake process begins with a psychosocial assessment that cuts to the heart of the causes of homelessness. Building on a relationship of trust and compassion, we help our clients set goals and connect to the support they need to meet them. This could mean help with navigating paperwork to qualify for social services; connections to health services; support with addiction recovery; or legal issues related to domestic violence. Our dedicated case managers use a combination of compassion and creativity to find ways to empower clients to meet their goals, including finding housing, but also maintaining stability in the long term. Identifying strengths and building confidence is an essential part of the process of helping clients move forward, step by step, towards greater independence. While securing housing is a huge step forward, it also introduces new challenges. Support continues during this tender transition to ensure that clients have the resilience to maintain their independence and continue to make progress on their goals. Post-housing support is a critical phase, since many people are only emotionally ready to benefit from access to life-skills education, financial literacy, career training and mental health once they are stably housed. Home visits, transportation and child supervision are provided so clients can take care of building their skills and their physical and mental health. It is a slow process that can't be rushed, but is critical to the lasting change that prevents the cycle of poverty and homelessness from repeating.”

“Youth services the landing place is our comprehensive youth program, which provides resources for highly resilient but often marginalized youth who are at high risk for becoming homeless. In cooperation with local schools, we are working to mitigate the impact of multi-generational patterns of adversity caused by poverty, lack of education, ill health, and sometimes even violence and neglect. We operate a low-barrier drop-in center that is open to all youth in the area two afternoons a week. Enrichment activities keep youth engaged and connected to community supports throughout the midcoast. A family-style warm supper is served each night followed by transportation home for those who need it. Case management is available to youth through the center and now directly on site at oceanside high school. We are developing two shelter programs designed especially for youth, including the independent living program (newly constructed efficiency units for youth ages 18-24). The host homes program allows unaccompanied youth to live with a local family, maintaining positive connections to school, friends, and other natural supports while they finish school or achieve goals to move forward on the path to a healthy independent life.”

“Emergency services we provide emergency supplies, such as blankets, camping gear, clothing, toiletries and hygiene supplies as well as showers and laundry facilities. Our food pantry provides shelf-stable goods, proteins, produce, and other items to address food insecurity issues facing people in the midcoast area. Through in-kind donations of furniture and other household items, we provide household furnishings to clients when they find housing. Transportation nearly 60% of our adult clients have no access to a reliable vehicle. Since public transportation is extremely limited in the midcoast, many of our clients are unable to access the services and resources that are essential to their success. In 2019, we provided 3,012 trips to medical appointments, job interviews, child care, and other services which would not otherwise have been available to clients.”