ROCKPORT — On May 18, Knox County Homeless Coalition (KCHC) received a $10,000 grant to support their Mental Health and Wellness programs for clients and staff from Knox County Fund & Building Stronger Nonprofits Fund of the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF).

“This grant comes at a crucial time and will go directly to increasing free mental health for youth aged 14-21, and bolster our internal measures to provide mental health training and offer mental wellness support to our front-line workers who address the trauma of homelessness face-on, everyday.” said Becca Gildred, KCHC Chief Development Officer, in a news release.

According to NAMI.org, high school students with depression are more than 2x more likely to drop out than their peers and 49.2% of Mainers between the ages of 12-17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year. At Knox County Homeless Coalition, nearly 100% of those who seek services is experiencing an unmet mental health need. Within a year of working with the agency, 88% are connected to necessary mental health services.

“The combination of Covid-19 and the current housing crisis has put a mental strain on even the strongest in our community,” said KCHC. “For the most vulnerable, this is only compounded. Addressing mental health needs along the path to housing only strengthens social determinants of health and is one of many factors contributing to 95-97% of KCHC’s housed clients remaining in housing more than one year later.”

Maine Community Foundation has a long history of supporting KCHC programs and initiatives. If you'd like to learn more about Knox County Homeless Coalition's innovative approach to social work, affordable housing, and youth programming to determine if it might be a good fit for support from your MaineCF Donor Advised Fund, please reach out to KCHC to schedule a time at 207-593-8151 or info@homehelphope.org.

Knox County Homeless Coalition breaks cycles of poverty and homelessness through strengths based programs and services, helping individuals and families achieve sustainable independence and providing the next generation the foundation for a hopeful future. Through collaboration and innovation, they seek to address the root causes of homelessness such as lack of affordable housing.  

Since opening its doors, KCHC has helped more than 2500 people and found permanent housing for over 1100. Nearly half of all those served are children and youth. 

The Maine Community Foundation brings people and resources together to build a better Maine through strategic giving, community leadership, personalized service, local expertise and strong investments.