CAMDEN — Eighth graders at Camden Rockport Middle School chose The Landing Place, the comprehensive youth program of Knox County Homeless Coalition, as beneficiary after winning the competitive Spirit Week fundraiser.

As the winners of this year's “Penny War,” the 8th grade students at Camden Rockport Middle School proudly presented a check for $606.25 to the Landing Place, according to Knox County Homeless Coalition, in a news release.

The Landing Place is located in the heart of Rockland. It offers supportive programming for high-risk youth in the Midcoast who are experiencing unstable housing, food insecurity, and different types of adversity.

“We are so fortunate to have such an amazing organization in our community, and we are pleased to support them,” said Lindsey Clifford, one of the 8th graders who presented the donation.

“I am honored that you would choose to support our work to help other kids in the area. On behalf of the whole team at The Landing Place, we are so appreciative,” said Joseph Hufnagel, director of The Landing Place youth program.

CRMS 8th grader Walker Hedrich went on to explain that part of the reasoning behind voting for The Landing Place, was that it really did help all youth, not favoring one group over another.

To find out more about how you can make a difference to those who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability in this area, contact KHC at 207-593-8151 or info@homehelphope.org.

Knox County Homeless Coalition was formed in 2014 as a grassroots, community initiative to reimagine the delivery of homeless services. In just under seven years, they have evolved to employ a multi-pronged, two-generation approach that provides compassionate support for highly resilient and often marginalized individuals and families through custom tailored strength-based and trauma-informed programs. They innovate and address root causes of homelessness through skill development, advocacy and community collaboration. The comprehensive approach KCHC takes meets urgent needs while simultaneously focusing on prevention and systemic change. 

Since taking in their first client KCHC has helped more than 2000 people, finding permanent housing for about half of those individuals so far. Through combined services at KCHC and The Landing Place (the comprehensive youth program of KCHC) nearly half of all those served are children and youth.

The Camden-Rockport Middle School is committed to providing a top-notch education to our students that includes character building. We have a variety of programs to engage students at all learning levels. Through our curriculum and our teaching, we work to ensure that students develop a set of competencies and qualities outlined in our curriculum and core values.