ROCKPORT — “There's a lot of homeless people here. They just hide quite well,” said Jim, a client of the Knox County Homeless Coalition.

I have been photographing and interviewing clients of the Knox County Homeless Coalition for two years, drawn in by the superb work being done by the new board and executive director Stephanie Primm.

In that time, some 1,294 homeless people in our area have been helped and 621 have moved into independent housing. Wraparound intensive care and follow-up services are provided with respect and dignity by staff caseworkers with hearts of gold who go the extra mile. Often it's accessing benefits they are entitled to and finding access to — very scarce — low income housing that allow them to afford an apartment.

KCHC focuses on access to employment, job skills training and education — opportunities leading to better earning potential, assistance with childcare and transportation, physical and emotional support, and so much more.

Many of the lovely people in these portraits have become my friends. They live or lived in the rambling Victorian on Old County Road in Rockport that children are sad to leave, the one with a barbecue grill, a playset and gardens; or in motel rooms along Route 1. They are classmates of our children, they are the families sharing our parks, the full-time cashiers at Hannaford, the carpenters, and the housekeepers in fancy Camden inns who simply cannot swing the high cost of housing here.

The coalition gives them a hand up, not a hand out, and I can think of no organization doing worthier, and more essential work. To learn more about the shelter and related programs and services, and donate much-needed funds, please call 593 8151.

Audreena and Addison: "I like it here because it's fun," Audreena, 6, said about the homeless shelter where she and 4-year-old Addison have lived since April 15, with their parents, younger brother and newborn sister. Her mom, Ashley, and their caseworker, Bill Mead, are working on getting a low income housing voucher, and childcare so Ashley can work. Audreena said her and Addison's favorite game at the shelter is, "playing house."

Elisa: "We're going to be a normal family again," said Elisa, in their own apartment after living in a motel room for eight months. She said her caseworker with the homeless coalition, "is amazing. I tried to get (a low income housing voucher) for eight months. Lisa got it for me in a couple of months."

Logan: Logan, 5, was one of the first residents of the new Hospitality House. "He just got done with T-ball and I'm getting him into soccer," said his mom, an Iraq War veteran. She said, "It's going on three years," since she and Logan moved into independent housing. "I'm proud that I've held it down and am able to do this for my son and I."

Jamie and Hunter: "I owe having a life, period, to the Hospitality House because I would have frozen to death," said Jamie, who is now in her own apartment in Thomaston. About 10-month-old Hunter, she said, "And he would be in foster care. I've been in foster care and I would never wish that on any child."

Jim: In 2014, Jim was working for McDonald's and living in a small field behind the building. The day before an epic snowstorm the Knox County Homeless Coalition moved him into a motel room. "I never would have made that," said the 57-year-old. "I'm getting too old for that stuff." He is now in his own apartment and with the help of coalition staff, receiving food stamps and veteran's benefits, including medical treatment for a chronic liver ailment. "They did all that work for me, I would have had no idea how to do."

David: "I was living in my self-storage place. I would go to bed as early as I could and always woke up at 1 a.m. because it was so cold. I had to go to the hospital and when I came back, Wendy [Macdougall, caseworker] told me, 'David, I am going to get you a place."

Abbey: Abbey, a full-time cashier at Hannaford's in Rockland, had fallen behind on bills and had no place to stay but was nervous about bringing her baby to the shelter. "I thought there would be a lot of alcoholics and drug addicts like I've seen in Portland." Instead, "I felt a lot of love. They are good people who make you feel comfortable, safe, like you're family." A shelter transportation van donated by Darling's takes her to and from work every day.

McKayla and Jason: "As soon as the [shelter staff] heard we wanted to get married they jumped up and wanted to help," said 18-year-old McKayla. Stephanie gave her the wedding dress, Ev a ribbon for it, Cindy bought the cake and decorated it, and Zach bought cider. "We were going to have cheese and crackers but the night before someone donated all this food to the house. It was so lucky."

Related links:

• Destiny
• Local artists to benefit Knox County Homeless Coalition, Hospitality House

Patrisha McLean is a volunteer with the Knox County Homeless Coalition, and is also a children's photographer and calligrapher.

This series, along with Susan Williams' paintings, is featured in an exhibit opening Wednesday, July 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pascal Hall in Rockport. A portion of the sales will benefit the Knox County Homeless Coalition/Hospitality House.