Each year the Knox County Homeless Coalition holds its Adopt-A-Family program, giving community members an opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for the courageous families the Knox County Homeless Coalition serves in the Midcoast region.

“We invite you to participate in our 6th annual Adopt-A-Family program this year—with a few modifications as we do our best to comply with current CDC recommendations for public safety during COVID-19,” said KCHC, in a news release. “Our client care team is helping more people than ever before—over 600 individuals, half of whom are children. We hope you’ll join us as we bring hope, joy, love, and peace to families who need it most this holiday season.”

KCHC shares two ways you can bring joy:

1) If you are interested in adopting a family, please order from the online Amazon.com wishlist (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2B8Z98S70C5OD) and have the items shipped directly to KCHC where our “elves” will wrap and deliver the gifts, limiting the number of potential interactions.

2) If you would like to help with locally-sourced gifts, or just have our elves do the shopping, we gladly accept donations. Our team of elves will purchase gift certificates for special local experiences or items, such as a family night at the movies, dinner at a local restaurant, haircuts etc. To make a monetary donation, please go to https://www.homehelphope.org/donate-now and choose “Adopt-A-Family” from the drop down menu.

Chief Executive Elf Lynn, who has organized the program for the last 3 years said, "We always start out in September wondering how we're going to pull off so many Christmas miracles but somehow every year it all comes together just in the nick of time! We really do have a very caring community." 
 
Due to shipping delays, KCHC asks that people please try to order or donate before November 29 so that gifts can be received in time for the holidays.

Anyone looking for more information about the program can visit: https://www.homehelphope.org/news/adopt-a-family-2021 to find out more.

Further questions can be directed to adoptafamily@homehelphope.org.

About Knox County Homeless Coalition

KCHC 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 holistic multi-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 1000 people find permanent housing. 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.