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November 2024

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

November is National Homelessness Awareness Month and National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. Did you know:


  • About one-fifth of people who are homeless are chronically homeless, meaning the person has been homeless for at least a year and also has a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disability.
  • Youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) account for up to 40% of youth experiencing homelessness. LGBTQ or questioning individuals of all ages often experience violence and discrimination that keeps them from accessing shelter and services. 
  • A substantial proportion of people who are homeless in the United States have experienced some form of trauma and are unsheltered, living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, or on sidewalks.


Many organizations like SAMHSA work in partnership with federal, state, and local partners and national experts to provide training on housing, treatment, and recovery models focused on adults, children, and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have serious mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbance, and substance use. These partnerships contribute to housing stability, recovery, and ending homelessness.

Click Here to Access Resources & More Information from SAMHSA's Homelessness Awareness Month Toolkit

MAINE'S HOMELESS RESPONSE HUBS

As part of reducing homelessness in Maine, the state is divided into 9 regions, each of which is served by a Homeless Response Hub. These Hubs are collaborative multi-agency teams devoted to continuous improvement of the Homeless Response System, driven by quality data. Hub teams identify gaps and inconsistencies by working with a cross-sector team of service providers, municipalities, housing providers, people with lived experience, and others who interact with people experiencing homelessness. The Hubs operate within their geographic areas, in conjunction with Statewide efforts, through dedicated communication and collaboration. The Hub agencies facilitate a more direct and coordinated path to housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Using creative solutions, Hubs strive to solve homelessness by reaching and sustaining functional zero, ensuring that homelessness is short and infrequent.


See below for Maine's active homeless numbers. York County is indicated as Hub #1 (across the bottom), and a link is included to show how York County will be utilizing its funding. York County's Homeless Response Hub Coordinator, Abigail Woods of York County Community Action Corporation.

Learn More: How York County's Hub is Utilizing Funding
Learn More: Free or Reduced Medical, Food, Housing, etc.

BIDDEFORD'S LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARD REDUCTION PROGRAM

"...The Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program enables the City to match local families with federal funds that will help them eliminate the health and safety challenges associated with this dangerous substance. It is Biddeford’s #1 affordable housing program; to date, we have refurbished more than 80 units, creating safe, affordable spaces."

 -Biddeford Mayor Martin Grohman

Learn More About Protecting Children
Find Out About the Healthy Homes Grant

SNAP-EDUCATION

SNAP-Ed taste-tested apples and pears with K-3 students across York County in October. Did you know there are over 3,000 varieties of pears? Try apples or pears as part of a chicken salad recipe like the one linked here.


One of our SNAP Educators, Lex Abbatello, is partnering with Biddeford Intermediate School to host a healthy food and wellness event for students and their families in March. She hopes that organizations from the Biddeford area can come together to provide resources and information about their work or what services they offer, as well as some fun activities for students and their families to do. If this is something you would be interested in or would like more details, please email ajensen10@une.edu 

Click Here to Make Apple & Chicken Salad- YUM!

CANNABIS HIGHLIGHT

Learn More About Cannabis Laws Here

BE THERE FOR ME

Housing is more than a roof over your head. It’s a place to make memories, feel safe, laugh, and cry. It’s shelter from the rain and comfort when times are hard. If you don’t have a stable place to call home, it can be hard to focus on anything else in your life. Whatever is in your way, there are resources to help here in Maine.


Developed in collaboration with parents, caregivers, and community organizations,

Be There for ME helps connect families with essential support, including housing, child care, and stress management, in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. Its resources are available in 12 languages through the website.

Click Here for Resources Related to Housing 

JOIN OUR TEAM

AS A PROJECT COORDINATOR FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES

CHCC is seeking a Project Coordinator to lead health promotion and youth engagement efforts in substance use prevention across the community. This role offers a unique chance to design, implement, and monitor impactful health campaigns, as well as work closely with community partners to educate and engage youth in meaningful ways. Candidates will coordinate multiple projects, develop partnerships, and help drive positive change across the region.


As part of the University of New England (UNE), we offer a competitive benefits package, a supportive work environment, and the opportunity to make a real difference. Click here to learn more about the position and UNE’s benefits package.

APPLY NOW & MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

SAVE THE DATE

MY PLACE TEEN CENTER OPEN HOUSE

Monday, December 9th from 4-7:30 pm

75 Bacon Street, Biddeford

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION


Let’s come together to support our community as many families struggle with food insecurity. Please share this Youth Full Maine free food distribution schedule freely for dates listed through November. This initiative is open to everyone, and no registration is required.


For more details and to view the distribution schedule, simply click on the image to enlarge it or follow Youth Full Maine's Facebook Page for updates.

Bookmark CHCC's Website for All Upcoming Events

Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition

207-602-3551

chcc@une.edu

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