News Archive
May 5, 2026
A big thank-you goes to the Belfast Area High School Peer Leader Leos. On Saturday, May 2, the group sponsored its annual 5K run/walk. The beneficiary of this year's fundraiser is the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition. This year's event involved 14 runners and 14 walkers, starting at the footbridge, going down the rail trail, turning around and coming back. Sometime soon, the officers of the Peer Leader LEOs will present a check with the proceeds of the event to officers of the MMHC.
The Peer Leader LEOs act as a high school component of the Belfast Lions Club, focusing on developing leadership skills through service, requiring 20 hours of community service per year. The group is highly active, organizing fundraisers like the 5K Run/Walk to benefit local initiatives such as the Family Harbor House, But Still I Am One, PAWs Animal Shelter, and the hospital oncology unit. And the group participates in seasonal events, including food box deliveries for Waldo Community Action Partners during the holidays.
April 17, 2026
The Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition held its first annual meeting at Belfast United Methodist Church on the evening of Thursday, April 16. Board Chair, Kathy Muzzy, provided an annual report in which she reviewed the amazing developments of the past year, culminating in the opening of Family Harbor House.
One year ago, MMHC was working intently with the Belfast City Council and the Planning Board to make transitional housing possible at 23 Mill Lane. MMHC also met with 18 local agencies and churches in developing the direction it needed to go and to plan how to accomplish the goals.
Once approved to move forward, extensive construction was undertaken in the lower level of Belfast United Methodist Church with work donated by Whitecap Builders and materials by Viking Lumber.
The mission statement was developed: Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition works to end the cycle of homelessness for individual families in Waldo County, Maine through innovation and collaboration around affordable housing.
On December 12, a ribbon-cutting ceremony signified to completed transitional housing site, and on January 3, 2026, the first family moved into Family Harbor House.
Muzzy acknowledged the many organizations and individuals who have donated to make this development possible. And she acknowledged the scores of volunteers who have already given so freely of their time.
Family Harbor House is now if full operation, fulfilling the goal of helping families develop a firm footing for a safe and successful future.
April 17, 2026
Molly Feeney was the guest speaker at the first annual meeting of the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition. Feeney is the Executive Director of Homeworthy, a nonprofit organization based in Rockland. The meeting was held at Belfast United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 16. The participants first heard a review of the past year - from early steps to a completed Family Harbor House housing four families - from Board Chair, Kathy Muzzy. Then Treasurer, Suetta Tenney, provided a healthy financial report. And the Director of Family Harbor House, David Beseda, talked about the early months of the program, providing for families in need, and preparing the first family to transition into permanent housing of their own.
Then the group heard from Molly Feeney, whose organization has twelve-years of experience providing comprehensive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Midcoast Maine region. Its programs include the Hospitality House family shelter, The Landing Place youth services, case management, urgent needs coordination, and housing support and navigation.
In encouraging the board, staff, and volunteers of MMHC and FHH, Feeney said what they are doing is "really brave and this is right." She also noted that starting with a four bedroom transitional housing facility is not small, but is a very big step. And she pointed out the great value and experience of "community members taking care of their own."
Feeney remains a valuable resource of knowledge and experience as Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition further develops the ability of Family Harbor House to prepare families for independent living, and also moves to add new support systems to its repertoire, including programs to support young people to establish successful and sustainable paths for their lives.
April 4, 2026
From the Newsletter of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Belfast:
The popularity and reach of our bi-annual knit-a-thons continues to grow. We are delighted to be represented by knitters, fiber artists, and donors from around the state. Breaking bread together, offering project support, and sharing personal stories is at the heart of our community building efforts. We are very grateful to be blessed with such a talented and giving community that never fails to rally support for the many needs in our area.
Together we raised over $1,600 and had a blast sharing knitting, culinary masterpieces, and laughter. We hope you can join us at the next Knit-a-thon in the fall or any Friday from 3-6 pm for the knitting circle in the Parish Hall.
March 14, 2026
by Mary Sullivan
Mary Sullivan, a member of the board of MMHC, met with the mother of our first guest family to hear the story of how they arrived at Family Harbor House, and their first weeks there. Mary shares their story:
Family Harbor House (FHH) opened its doors to our first guest family on January 3, 2026. Our second guest family arrived at the end of February. Our first guest family includes a mother and her three children. Mom told me that they had been living in a mobile home. She was given only six days to vacate herself and the children. The family moved into a nearby motel.
During the process of moving, Mom found out about Family Harbor House through a liaison from the Belfast Police Department. The news of the Family Harbor House Open House in November encouraged her to connect with David Beseda, our Program Director. With David's guidance, she was able to meet the requirements of the program. She and her family moved in on January 3, which was our opening day.
Mom loved FHH the moment she saw it. She told me, "The benefit of this program is it helps you get back on your feet. You get to rebuild." Her three kids have settled into their routine at the house. Mom says they look forward to coming back to FHH each day. They have gotten to know many of the volunteers and love to teach everyone how to play the game Taco/Burrito.
Now that they are settled in at FHH, Mom has been able to get a case manager at Waldo CAP who, along with David, is guiding her to programs she didn't know were out there. Mom's goal is to save enough for a down payment on her own house, through the first-time home buyer's program. When the kids get a little older, she hopes to pursue training as a hair stylist.
March 14, 2026
"I am right off a shift at Family Harbor House, so this is a perfect moment to speak of a wonderful experience. Today I had brief conversations with all of the members of one resident family. They were in the middle of their day and going in and out of the house. The father had been snow plowing half the night. A high point for me was with the mother and their youngest. Thanks to the generosity of a parishioner, I had brought two Dr. Seuss books for the child. At one point, the mother called me to come into the common room where there's a small library of books. The young child had found the new Dr. Seuss books on the lower shelf and was looking at them! And that is the magic of being present at Family Harbor House."
"I'll be starting a shift at midnight tonight and going until 8 AM--what I call the graveyard shift. Quiet, peaceful, lovely. This isn't my first midnight-to-8 shift, and what I love most about it is knowing that simply by being present, I'm helping provide a safe, warm, dry place for a family.
I've also served on other shifts where I've had the chance to meet the family staying at Family Harbor House, which has been a gift. And I've come to deeply appreciate the volunteers I've served alongside--truly wonderful people. Volunteering at Family Harbor House feels like holy work to me. Thanks to the Board, we're given the opportunity to take part in something that truly matters."
March 14, 2026
Family Harbor House needs compassionate people like you to volunteer and join our team, helping to provide lodging, food, and supportive services for local families who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness. Our transitional housing facility, located on Mill Lane in Belfast, can accommodate four families, with the goal of helping them stabilize their lives and relocate to affordable permanent housing in the community. Volunteers help provide a caring and supportive presence, assist with meals, play games with children or offer homework help, and join in the cleaning and upkeep of the program. To inquire about volunteering, use the link below or call 207-218-1001.
Volunteer Info and Form
January 20, 2026
At the Belfast City Council meeting on January 20, 2026, Mayor Eric Sanders, on behalf of the City Council, presented this award to the board of directors of the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition. This award honors the board for the creation of Family Harbor House, to provide transitional housing to families in Belfast.
See the Presentation
January 20, 2026
Following the presentation by Mayor Eric Sanders, MMHC board chair, Kathy Muzzy, accepted the award on behalf of the board. The Spirit of America Award, presented by the Belfast City Council, honored the MMHC for the creation of Family Harbor House, a transitional housing facility for up to for families in need.
See the Video
December 11, 2025
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Family Harbor House at 4pm on December 9. The full video is above. Speakers are Board Member Mary Sullivan, Board Chair Kathy Muzzy, Rev. Bob Johansen, and Belfast Mayor Eric Sanders. Board Member Cathy Gray cuts the ribbon. Among the local officials in attendance are City Manager Erin Herbig, and City Councilor Mary Mortier. From the Belfast Planning Department: Bub Fournier, Jennifer Cormier, Andrea Sykes, and Steve Wilson. Dann Waldron represented his company, Whitecap Builders, which donated the reconstruction work on the facility.
Click Here to watch the video
December 10, 2025
Click Here to watch the video
December 3, 2025
On November 15, an Open House was held at the Family Harbor House, a transitional housing program being developed by the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition (MMHC). It was enthusiastically received. It is the result of over 3 years of planning to assist local families experiencing homelessness. Its purpose is to provide lodging, food, connections to supportive services, and a welcoming place to stay until they can obtain permanent housing. The MMHC was established over 3 years ago, thanks to Rev. Bob Johansen and Rev. Amy McCormick who were part of the founding board. Now a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, space was found at Belfast United Methodist Church (BUMC). But there was much that needed to be done. Showers and walls needed to be added, the kitchen remodeled and painting. So, we say thank you to those who have helped us achieve what we have today.
First, we thank the Belfast City Council and Planning Board for all they did in assisting us in the process of re-zoning and requirements. We especially thank Mary Mortier for all her guidance and direction. We thank Dann Waldron and Whitecap Builders for assisting with the design and donation of labor in remodeling. We thank Viking Lumber for their donations of materials, the electricians and plumbers and all the volunteers who came and helped clean and paint, and all who have donated beds and furniture. Thanks to Rev. Seongmoon Ahn and the members of BUMC who offered this space, and to the Greater Bay Area Ministerium and the many faith and civic organizations who are organizing and planning to volunteer time and energy to provide food and coverage for our neighbors who find themselves in challenging times.
November 16, 2025
On Saturday, November 15, the new Family Harbor House facility was opened for all to visit and see. More than 60 people showed up to tour the common room, the four family sleeping rooms, the kitchen/laundry, the office, and the new bathrooms. The Board of Directors hosted the event along with our new Program Director, David Beseda.
Dozens of visitors signed up the our email newsletter. Volunteers are now being lined up to support the program and training for the volunteers will begin soon. Before long, the first families will be able to take advantage of transitional housing on their way to family independence in the community.
November 8, 2025
We are so pleased to announce that we have hired a part-time director for Family Harbor House – David Beseda. David comes to us as a social worker with an extensive and varied background. He was a founding Executive Director for Community Housing of Maine, a Board member of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, and served as a guardian ad litem, among many other endeavors that qualify him for this new position. He is currently an adjunct professor at Southern Maine Community College. David jumped into helping at Family Harbor House immediately, showing up to join the painting crew multiple times. We are so fortunate to have David joining our team!
September 17, 2025
At an awards breakfast at the Samoset Resort, MMHC board vice-chair Cathy Gray (left) and board chair Kathy Muzzy (right) accept a donation of $15,000 from Jay Foster of United Midcoast Charities.
United Midcoast Charities Website
September 1, 2025
The Part-Time Program Director will provide day-to-day supervision of all operations at Family Harbor House, a transitional housing facility for 3-4 families and up to fifteen people. This is a 25 hour-per-week position, working onsite at Family Harbor House. This position reports to the Board of Directors of Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition (MMHC), with day-to-day supervision by the Chair of the Board of Directors. Salary range: $35,000 to $40,000 on an annual basis. For more info, email Cathy Gray.