Housing

Midcoast Habitat Dedicates Emily’s Way at Firefly Field

May 29, 2024By

Together with family and friends of Emily Mecklenburg, Midcoast Habitat for Humanity (MHFH) unveiled the newly designated Emily’s Way on Saturday, June 8, 2024. The dedication of the street stands as a symbol of gratitude and remembrance, ensuring that Mecklenburg’s spirit of generosity will be honored and remembered for generations to come.

“We are deeply honored to dedicate this street to the memory of Emily Mecklenburg,” said Tia Anderson, Executive Director of MHFH. “Her legacy will be woven into the fabric of these homes, this neighborhood, and our city, inspiring us to continue her hands-on work of caring for our neighbors and building community.”

As a lasting memorial, her family has established the Broad Reach Fund at MHFH to support housing creation in Rockland and beyond. The fund has been generously supported by many of Emily’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Donations may be made to the fund in her memory to support efforts toward affordable housing. When complete the Firefly subdivision should house nearly 40 residents offering both rentals and homeownership options. Midcoast Habitat for Humanity has been a UMC grantee for more than a decade.

Give once. Support Many.

 

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News

United Midcoast Charities Welcomes New Executive Director

May 24, 2024By

CAMDEN, Maine – UMC announces the hiring of Becca Gildred as executive director, effective April 1. Becca brings a wealth of experience in the nonprofit world. For the last 8 years she was Chief Development Officer of Knox County Homeless Coalition. Becca comes with a wealth of knowledge in development, fundraising, marketing, communications, grant writing, and public relations. These key ingredients will building upon our past successes. We look  forward to become a stronger support to our partner agencies and community.

Guided by Becca’s leadership, UMC eagerly anticipates increasing funding and support to local nonprofits. Becca wholeheartedly embraces our mission and vision. She is already positively impacting the organization. We are enthusiastic about working together to further our mission and make an impact in Midcoast Maine. Welcome, Becca!

 

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News

United Midcoast Charities announces new Board Member

February 23, 2024By

CAMDEN, Maine – United Midcoast Charities recently announced the addition of Larrain Slaymaker to its Board of Directors. Larrain has lived in Hope Maine for over forty years and has worked with a wide range of businesses, non-profits, government, and community organizations over her career. She has operated several marine businesses and currently owns and operates NorthPoint Yacht Charters. In addition, Larrain has served on numerous Boards including the National Resources Council of Maine, and was Chair of the Knox Local Case Resolution Committee under the Maine Children’s Cabinet. Larrain has strong personal interests in working with entrepreneurs, sustainable economic development, social capitalism, creative economies, and social justice.

We look forward to Larrain’s contributions, with a focus on Grants and Development. Welcome Larrain!

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Focus Areas

2024 Grant Applications to Open at United Midcoast Charities

February 12, 2024By

CAMDEN, Maine – UMC is pleased to announce that starting March 1, our annual grants application process begins. Nonprofit organizations providing services to Knox and Waldo County residents in UMC’s four focus areas of food, housing, health and safety, and economic security are strongly encouraged to apply. This application is the first step in UMC’s thoughtful months-long review process by the UMC Grants Committee and Board of Directors.

“As a relatively young nonprofit, we embarked on the grant application process last year with many uncertainties,” said Neva Allen, Founder & President of But Still I Am One, a Waldo County nonprofit supporting young adults ages 16-21 who are unhoused or home insecure. “The guidance and assistance we received from United Midcoast Charities proved to be invaluable. Their expertise helped us to navigate the complexities, and we were thrilled to secure a grant.”

The application window ends on March 31, so be sure to get your application in by that date.  To apply, visit our website at https://unitedmidcoastcharities.org/our-grant-program/apply-for-a-grant/. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 207-236-2299.

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2023 UMC Days of GivingEvents

United Midcoast Charities’ Annual “Day of Giving” Sets New Record!

December 15, 2023By

CAMDEN – United Midcoast Charities’ annual “Day of Giving” was held this past Saturday, December 9, and a record-setting 88 local retailers and restaurants from Thomaston to Belfast donated part of the day’s proceeds to support more than 40 agencies in Knox and Waldo counties providing essential services in UMC’s focus areas of food, housing, health and safety, and economic security. Thanks to the support of sponsors, participating retailers, and community members who came out in droves, UMC’s grants program will continue to grow and thrive in the new year!

“As a locally owned family business operating since 1975, we take pride in being able to support the local community,” said Sierra Dietz, owner of The Grasshopper Shops and longtime supporter of Day of Giving. “UMC provides incredible assistance for so many area nonprofits and we are happy to be able to support the work they are doing.“

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Focus Areas

United Midcoast Charities Announces 42 Grant Recipients for 2023

September 13, 2023By

CAMDEN— September 13, 2023 – United Midcoast Charities has awarded grants totaling $597,000 to 42 agencies providing the basic needs of food, housing, health & safety, and economic security to residents of Knox and Waldo counties.

“We’re beyond proud to be supporting local nonprofits for more than 81 years,” said UMC President John Viehman, “and this year thanks to the generosity of our donors we increased our grantmaking by 20 percent over last year. Plus we’ll also be able once again to fully fund our Urgent Needs Grants. That means there will be reserve funding for needs that arise outside our annual grants cycle.”

UMC’s board of directors announced the grant awards at a celebratory breakfast sponsored by the Samoset Resort on September 12.

In congratulating the recipients, Viehman remarked, “It’s always inspiring to see so many agencies gathered together in one place and to feel the exponential impact they have on our friends and neighbors in need here in the Midcoast!”

This year’s recipients grouped by focus area include:

FOOD

  • AIO Food Pantry
  • Belfast Soup Kitchen
  • Come Spring Food Pantry
  • Knox County Gleaners
  • MCH Inc. – Meals on Wheels
  • No Greater Love Food Pantry
  • St. Bernard Soup Kitchen

HOUSING

  • Family Promise of Midcoast Maine
  • Knox County Homeless Coalition
  • Midcoast Habitat for Humanity
  • Midcoast Recovery Coalition

HEALTH & SAFETY

  • American Red Cross
  • Belfast Public Health Nursing
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Camden Area District Nursing
  • Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers
  • Coastal Opportunities
  • Finding Our Voices
  • Knox Clinic
  • Maine Youth Alliance – Game Loft
  • Maine Family Planning
  • Maine HealthCare at Home
  • New Hope Midcoast
  • Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County
  • OUT Maine
  • Rockland District Nursing Association
  • Sexual Assault Support Services
  • Soap Closet
  • Southern Harbor Eldercare Services
  • Spectrum Generations
  • The Beacon Project
  • Waldo County Dental Care
  • Waldo County Woodshed

ECONOMIC SECURITY

  • Belfast Area Child Care Services
  • But Still I Am One
  • Penobscot Bay YMCA
  • Penquis CAP – DVIP
  • Trekkers, Inc.
  • Waldo CAP
  • Waldo County YMCA
  • Waterman’s Community Center
  • Wayfinder Schools
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News

UMC Awards $500,000 in Grants to 39 Local Agencies

September 19, 2022By

CAMDEN—In its 80th year, the Board of United Midcoast Charities announced this year’s grants will provide $500,000 to 39 agencies providing the basic needs of food, housing, health & safety, and economic security to residents here in Knox and Waldo counties.

“Thanks to the strong support from our donors,” said UMC President John Viehman, “we not only reached our grantmaking goal, we’ll also be able to fully fund our Urgent Needs Grants. That means there will be reserve funding for needs that arise outside our annual grants cycle.”

A celebratory breakfast sponsored by The Samoset Resort is scheduled in early September. Viehman adds, “It’s inspiring to see so many agencies gathered together in one place and to feel the exponential impact they have on our friends and neighbors in need here in the Midcoast!”

This year’s recipients grouped by focus area include:

FOOD

AIO Food Pantry

Belfast Soup Kitchen

Come Spring Food Pantry

Knox County Gleaners

MCH Inc. – Meals on Wheels

No Greater Love Food Pantry

St. Bernard’s Soup Kitchen

The Kindness Programs

 

HOUSING

Coastal Opportunities

Knox County Homeless Coalition

Midcoast Habitat for Humanity

Midcoast Recovery Coalition

 

HEALTH & SAFETY

Belfast Public Health Nursing

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Camden Area District Nursing

Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers

Finding Our Voices

Knox Clinic

Maine Youth Alliance – Game Loft

Maine Family Planning

Maine Healthcare At Home

New Hope Midcoast

Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County

OUT Maine

Rockland District Nursing Association

Sexual Assault Support Services

Soap Closet

Waldo County Dental Care

Waldo County Woodshed

 

ECONOMIC SECURITY

Belfast Area Child Care Services

Penobscot Bay YMCA

Penquis CAP- Head Start

Restorative Justice Project

Trekkers, Inc.

University of Maine at Augusta Rockland

Waldo CAP

Waldo County YMCA

Waterman’s Community Center

Wayfinder Schools

 

Founded in 1942, UMC energizes Midcoast Maine nonprofits through finance and guidance, supporting a network of resources stronger than any single organization. UMC’s primary focus areas are food, housing, health & safety, and economic security. Learn more about United Midcoast Charities by visiting www.unitedmidcoastcharities.org or call 207-236-2299.

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DAY-OF-GIVING-UNITED-MIDCOAST-2021-2Events

75+ Local Businesses Support “Day Of Giving”

January 24, 2022By

The Annual Day of Giving on Saturday, December 18 showcased more than 75 area businesses who, in partnership with United Midcoast Charities, supported dozens of Midcoast nonprofits in Knox and Waldo Counties.

Residents who still needed to do their holiday shopping or enjoy a Yuletide meal visited these community-minded retailers and restaurants in Camden, Rockland, Rockport, Belfast, Thomaston, Lincolnville and Northport.

“This is a fun day to shop and dine locally while paying it forward at the same time,” explained UMC’s Executive Director John Viehman. “UMC provides vital funding to more than 50 Midcoast nonprofits who provide the most basic needs of food, housing, health and safety, and economic security here in our communities. We are grateful to the many local retailers and restaurants making a contribution or donating part of their day’s proceeds to UMC’s Grant Program during this holiday season. As always, 100 percent of all donations go directly to the local nonprofits we support.”

Area Businesses participating in UMC’s December 18th’s Day of Giving were:

BELFAST: All about Games, Belfast Co-op, Brambles, City Drawers, Colburn’s Shoe Store, Heavenly Yarns, Left Bank Books, Out on A Whimsy Toys, Rollie’s/Rollie’s Remote Catering, Second Hand Eve, The Good Table, The Porch, and Vinolio 

NORTHPORT: Maine Alpaca Experience 

LINCOLNVILLE: The Red Cottage 

CAMDEN/ROCKPORT: Antiques@10 Mechanic, Carver Hill Gallery, Leonard’s, Maine Seaside Treasures, Once A Tree, Planet Toys, Seadog Brewing Company, Serendipity Fine Consignment, Small Wonder Gallery, Sugar Tools, The Leather Bench, Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe, Zoot Coffee, RAYR and The Wine & Cheese Shop 

ROCKLAND: Clan MacLaren, Flowers by Hoboken, fourTwelve, Grasshopper Shop, hellohello Books, Huston Tuttle, In Good Company, Loyal Biscuit, Main Street Markets, Primo Restaurant, Rock City Cafe, Seagull Cottage, Side Country Sports, and The Wine Seller 

THOMASTON: FlipSide Coffee, and Coastal Mountain Chiro 

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Events

UMC Selected For Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program

July 19, 2021By

CAMDEN, Maine – Brighten your day with a bouquet that gives back to the local community!

The Camden Hannaford has chosen United Midcoast Charities (UMC) as the benefiting non-profit in the store’s brand-new Bloomin’ 4 Good Program in August. For every $11.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet purchased from the store at 145 Elm Street, UMC will receive a $1 donation.

“Flowers can make someone’s day, brighten up a room or spread a smile,” said UMC Executive Director John Viehman. “Now those blooms can help even more people! We are thrilled to benefit from Hannaford’s unique and impactful Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, as the demands of those in need are higher than ever this year.”

UMC is a non-profit based in Camden, Maine. Founded in 1942, it energizes Midcoast Maine non-profits through finance and guidance, supporting a network of resources stronger than any single organization. UMC’s primary focus areas are food, housing, health & safety, and economic security. Learn more about United Midcoast Charities by visiting www.unitedmidcoastcharities.org.

For details about the Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, please visit www.hannaford.bloomin4good.com.

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