Recent News from
Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition
and Family Harbor House
BDN: New Program in Belfast Helps Homeless Families Find HousingPhoto: Family Harbor House occupies the lower level at Belfast United Methodist Church
October 5, 2026
On September 30, the Bangor Daily News printed a story about Family Harbor House, how it works, and how it has done in this, its first year of operation. From the story: "The successful model is a small-scale example of what’s possible when community members join forces to address homelessness, which is one of the state’s most pervasive challenges. While picturesque coastal communities like Belfast don’t have hundreds of people grappling with homelessness, the region’s high housing prices and exceptionally tight availability act as barriers for low-income families struggling to get ahead."
And quoting Family Harbor House Director David Beseda: "Watching the organization’s first family successfully advance out of the program and into their own home was 'thrilling,' Beseda said, as it showed what’s possible for others." “There’s a lot working against folks to get their own place and get out of such tenuous situations. It proves that with support, help, and time, people can find those few accessible channels to find something they can afford that’s stable.”
Thanks to the BDN for making more people aware of the work of our transitional housing facilty.
See the BDN Article
Melissa McLaughlin - Our New Coordinator of VolunteersSeptember 14, 2026
The Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition felt fortunate to have several well-qualified individuals apply for the new part-time position of Volunteer Coordinator for MMHC. After interviews and thoughtful consideration, the Board of Directors hired Melissa McLaughlin for the position which will start in Mid-September.
Melissa has extensive administrative and volunteer coordinating experience through working at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and Bread & Roses Community Fund. Her previous work with nonprofit organizations involved multi-level communications, scheduling of volunteers, technology systems, and trainings with volunteers. She worked as part of the Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS), coordinating volunteers and support groups engaged in intentional community, social justice, and spirituality.
We are excited to welcome Melissa to the work of MMHC and we will soon introduce her to both the Family Harbor House community and to the Youth programs now integrated into the MMHC mission.
MMHC at the Final Belfast Summer Night of 2026Photo: Board member Lacey Durkee talks to visitors at Belfast Summer Nights
September 12, 2026
Our newest board member, Lacey Durkee, worked at the information table on September 10. MMHC had the privilege of meeting many of those who came to hear music that night. Visitors asked questions, provided their email addresses, and made cash donations (including a $100 bill!)
Thank You Belfast Co-op!Photo: Co-op employees present the Common Cents check to MMHC board members Steve Alspach and Suetta Tenney (lower right, with check).
September 7, 2026
The Belfast Co-op Common Cents program set a new record during the month of August! During that month, the round-up campaign at the cash registers collected a total of $8,666.15 to support the programs of the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition.
A total of 18,165 individual donations were made by Co-op shoppers throughout the month. This resulted in the highest amount raised in one month in ten years of the program! One hundred percent of those donations will help MMHC run its programs for youth and families in Waldo County.
Tabling at Party for the PeoplePhoto: Board member Joel Krueger answers questions at the infomation booth on a beautiful day.
September 7, 2026
Making friends and finding new volunteers ... MMHC operated an information table at the second-annual Party for the People at Steamboat Landing Park Saturday afternoon, September 7. Lots of people stopped by to learn more about MMHC, Family Harbor House and ways to volunteer.
United Midcoast Charities Honors MMHC, FHH, and Volunteer Wendy TrefreyPhoto: MMHC board chair Kathy Muzzy (left) and Volunteer Wendy Trefrey (right)
September 1, 2026
Each month, United Midcoast Charities, in conjunction with FM radio station 105.5 “The Wave”, produces a program called “Be the Tide Volunteer of the Month”. They produce eight radio stories which are then featured on-air three times a day for that month.
For the month of August 2026, that volunteer is Wendy Trefrey, who volunteers at Family Harbor House in Belfast – the transitional housing program of the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition. Trefrey and Kathy Muzzy, board chair of MMHC, were interviewed by Becca Gildred, the executive director of United Midcoast Charities.
They talk about what the organization does, why the volunteer was chosen, and what opportunites exist at the organization. The volunteer is asked why they choose to volunteer with the organization, how they knew it was the right fit for them, what they get to do, and why they feel it is personally rewarding.
United Midcoast Charities is also the organization that held its annual Rising Tide party and auction on August 20 at Riverside Farm & Learning Center in Searsmont. At that event, MMHC board member Barb Gage spoke about the process of bringing all of the But Still I Am One youth support programs into the MMHC. United Midcoast Charities helped significantly in facilitating that work. UMC then honored MMHC for bringing the programs together smoothly and efficiently, without a break in support for Waldo County youth.
Read More & Hear the Radio Stories