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Recent News from
Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition
and Family Harbor House

MMHC Highlighted as an Example of Cooperation, Service, and Efficiency
       Photo: MMHC board members Suetta Tenney (left) and Kathy Muzzy (right) with Family Harbor House director David Beseda. Photo by MMHC board member Barb Gage
August 22, 2026

      Two MMHC board members were asked to speak at the annual Rising Tide event held by United Midcoast Charities (UMC) in Searsmont on August 20. UMC annually provides financial support to more than 40 nonprofit organizations serving Knox and Waldo counties. They asked representatives of MMHC to speak about bringing the transitional housing program of MMHC together with the youth support programs of But Still I Am One, to provide all of those related services under the auspices of one service organization.

       Barb Gage, who served as board president of the former But Still I Am One organization, and Kathy Muzzy, board chair of Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition, both spoke of the support received from United Midcoast Charities as the programs, resources, and leadership of two organizations were brought together earlier this year to create a stronger, more efficient, more-unified service provider focused on homelessness in Waldo County.

        UMC had provided significant support to MMHC in evaluating the mission of the programs, coordinating support resources, and facilitating the transition. MMHC was honored to be recognized by United Midcoast Charities at this event, and also to have the opportunity to thank them publicly for all their assistance. The goal of United Midcoast Charities is to provide financial support, strategic guidance, and tangible resources to Midcoast nonprofits providing services in the areas of food, housing, health & safety, and economic security.

       Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition continues to provide housing for previously unhoused families at Family Harbor House in Belfast, and now also operates the Homelessness Prevention Initiative,  providing financial support to offset costs of food, utilities, rent or other needs to allow the youth to avoid homelessness as they stay with an appropriate family in the community.

       In addition, MMHC provides a one-time prepaid Visa card, or PEX card, to youth who are facing home insecurity in Waldo County, giving them an opportunity to make their own decisions about expenses, budgeting, and have more control over their lives. There is also driver’s education funding is available for youth aged 16-21 who are home insecure.

       With the programs of the former But Still I Am One still intact and fully incorporated, Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition will end the year 2026 fulfilling the goal to provide extensive support to several families and also to many home-insecure youth in our community.


Playground Cleanup Day - Not Exactly as Planned
       Photo: Board Member Steve Alspach gets down-and-dirty, digging out the floor of the old shed.
August 15, 2026
      Cleaning and painting were on the agenda for this volunteer day in the playground behind Family Harbor House. First up was the clean-out of the storage shed alongside the playground. All went well until the workers found much of the floor of the shed was rotted out. The morning was spent largely with ripping out part of the old floor and installing a new one. This was a big step forward, and the painting of small buildings in the playground will wait for another day.
      A big thank you goes to volunteers Stacy Stewart, Laurence Pengelly, Drew Gage, board members Joel Krueger and Steve Alspach, as well as Family Harbor House Director David Beseda. The playground itself still needs some touchup, but is in great shape for Family Harbor House children to play in.

Round Up at the Co-op in August to Support MMHC!
August 4, 2026
      When you round up your purchase to the nearest dollar at checkout, that spare change comes straight to us. Those rounded-up cents help families in our region find the resources they need, from emergency housing to youth support. A little change really does make a big difference! Thank you for rounding up and standing with your neighbors this August.
      The Belfast Community Co-op is such an important place in our community, offering nutritious and local food to the neighbors who walk through its doors. We believe everyone deserves that kind of nourishment, along with a safe, stable place to call home. That's why we're so honored to be this month's Common Cents group at Belfast Community Co-op!

MMHC at the Belfast Summer Street Party
       Photo: Board Member Lacey Durkee talks with interested passersby.
July 22, 2026
Being a Board Member of the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition requires lots of time and hard work, but some of it is fun! Here, brand-new Board Member Lacey Durkee hands out flyers at the Summer Street Party in downtown Belfast on July 20. This is a great way to let people know about MMHC's programs to support homeless youth, and transitional housing for homeless families ... being in the community to help the community!
Look for These Friendly Faces!
       Photo: Board members Joel Krueger, Suetta Tenney, and Barbara Gage in the information tent.
July 18, 2026
      MMHC will have an information booth at several Belfast events this summer and fall. The first was at Belfast Summer Nights on July 16. Board members and other volunteers were there to answer questions, hand out brochures, and gratefully accept donations. Please stop by and say "hi" wherever you see our little tent with the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition banner displayed. At this event, lots of people showed interest in ways to help homeless families find a successful future and for homeless teens to find security and hope.

About Volunteering at Family Harbor House

Family Harbor House (FHH) is a transitional housing project helping local families who are experiencing homelessness. The building’s large private family rooms, full kitchen, shared bathrooms, and dining/recreation area can accommodate 3 to 4 families. FHH offers a place of respite and renewal for parents and children who have been living through times of crisis.

Management of the project is overseen by the Board of Directors and hired staff, but Family Harbor House depends upon compassionate people, like you, and volunteers are the heart of this project – providing homeless families with safety, comfort, and the opportunity for a better life.

Anyone can volunteer if they are willing to support the mission of Family Harbor House – “to help families stabilize their lives so they can then relocate to affordable permanent housing in the community.”

To volunteer with Family Harbor House, please complete this application form, plus an additional form which authorizes a standard criminal background check. Family Harbor House serves vulnerable populations, including children living in the program’s residential setting, and background reviews protect both the families and the volunteers.

After an initial screening process, you will be contacted to join with other new volunteers in a training session to learn about the Family Harbor House operational policies and procedures.