Cici Hagan returns a shot in the Serving to Prevent Homelessness tournament at the CLC YMCA in Damariscotta on Saturday, March 9. (Paula Roberts photo)
Stepping Stone Housing Inc. celebrated its 10 anniversary with the annual Serving to Prevent Homelessness Tournament, held at the CLC YMCA in Damariscotta on Saturday, March 9.
Stepping Stones board member Carolyn Neighoff said $42,799 was raised through the tennis tournament. The tournament was organized by Neighoff and her son Seth Meyers, who is the Midcoast Recreation tennis pro.
In the past 10 years, more than $373,513 has been raised for Stepping Stone Housing through the tournament. Neighoff said most of the funds have been raised through sponsors of the tennis tournament and individual donations. Tennis players not only pay $20 to participate in the tournament, but are generous in their donations above and beyond the tournament fee.
“It has grown every year. It makes sense, because in the beginning, support in the community was a leap of faith,” Neighoff said.
Stepping Stone Housing Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides affordable transitional housing for individuals and families that earn less than a living wage in Lincoln County. The local, volunteer-run, grassroots program is dedicated to helping those who earn less than a living wage find affordable housing as a “stepping stone” to a better life.
It all started because of the ministry of John Andrews, who had five small dwellings in Damariscotta, known as Blue Haven, that he rented out to low income people.
Andrews left his estate to The Second Congregational Church of Newcastle and The Lincoln Home. Neither wanted to take over the low-income housing of the estate. Bill and Barbara Howlett stepped up to save Blue Haven, forming a nonprofit and loaning their own funds to purchase the property. Stepping Stone Housing Inc. was incorporated on Nov. 12. 2013, and the property was purchased a month later.
Neighoff said people have to apply to live on a Stepping Stone property.
“There are so many out there that need a place to rent. We have a huge waiting list,” she said. “Every year we try to add new units. Last year we added three new units in Waldoboro.”
Stepping Stone rents out the housing units for around $350 a month.
“Our take on it is we are giving them a stepping stone to be able to support themselves and have a good life,” Neighoff said. “One thing I have noticed is food insecurity people support like crazy, but housing things don’t get support. I am very grateful that Stepping Stone is supported.
“I think people can relate to being hungry. It horrifies me, but they don’t think as much of housing,” she said. “If a person does not have a place to lay their head at night, they are never going to crawl out of their hole. My passion is the children. We have found people in Damariscotta living in cars. Whole families. It is here. No one should have to live like that.”
