Blue Hill, Maine — Efforts to preserve adult day services in Hancock County took a significant step forward as Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties (CAAWHC) and the Receiver and Board of Directors for Downeast Community Partners (DCP) have reached agreement on the terms for the purchase and sale of the Friendship Cottage property.
Final approval is required by the Receivership Court, with a closing on the sale anticipated within 60 days of final approval. The agreed purchase price is $600,000, and thanks to an extraordinary outpouring of community generosity, more than $500,000 has been raised in just over two months to support the purchase. The Friends of Friendship Cottage, a dedicated volunteer group, has been instrumental in leading this remarkable fundraising effort and generating the momentum needed to bring the program closer to long‑term stability.
“We would not be at this point and in a position to preserve this critical service in this wonderful facility, that means so much to the community, were it not for the steadfast and incredible efforts of a committed and driven group of community volunteers and generous donors,” said Jason Parent, CEO of Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties. “Their extraordinary work, coupled with the drive and determination of members of our team at Friendship Cottage and across our agency are truly to credit for this wonderful outcome.”
Even as the organization and volunteers celebrate the progress made to date, they emphasize that the community’s support remains essential. Additional funds in the amount of $150,000 are needed to complete the final portion of the purchase and to address critical repairs, including replacing the building’s roof and addressing water damage caused by ongoing leakage. Ensuring the building remains safe, secure, and functional is vital to preserving Friendship Cottage’s unique and deeply valued services for years to come.
Friendship Cottage has long been a lifeline for adults with physical, cognitive, or memory challenges, offering high‑quality adult day services that allow individuals to remain safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Although the building looks like a residence from the outside, inside it is a warm, structured, and supportive environment where staff tailor care to the specific needs of each participant. Open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the program provides homemade meals, assistance with activities of daily living, cognitive and social activities, and compassionate support that prioritizes dignity and quality of life.
According to Aging Services Program Coordinator Anne Ossanna, the importance of Friendship Cottage has only grown in recent years. “There has been a shift in the past five years with the gradual closing of all the nursing homes in Hancock County,” she said. “We are seeing participants who are requiring more care and caregivers who are keeping loved ones in their homes longer.” Ossanna added that more participants are needing additional services to remain safe and supported, making the preservation of the program even more urgent.
As Friendship Cottage moves closer to securing its permanent home through the purchase agreement, both fundraising and enrollment will play essential roles in ensuring its long‑term sustainability. Families are encouraged to consider trying the program, whether for respite, daily structure, or ongoing care. A free trial day is available, and the program accepts MaineCare, contracts through the DHHS Office of Aging and Disability Services and SeniorsPlus, certain long‑term care insurance plans, and private pay.
Ossanna stressed the dual importance of community support: “We are incredibly grateful for the donors who have brought us this far. But equally important is continued program participation. When families enroll their loved ones here, they’re not only receiving essential care—they are directly helping Friendship Cottage continue its mission.”
As organizers look ahead to finalizing the purchase and repairing the building, they are asking the community to help close the remaining fundraising gap and strengthen the foundation for the program’s future. Donations, enrollment inquiries, and requests for information are welcomed as Friendship Cottage continues its critical work supporting adults with physical, cognitive, or memory challenges—and the families who care for them.
Please note that as part of the transition, Friendship Cottage has a new phone number. For more information about the services provided, the enrollment process, or ways to support the Save the Building Fund, call (207) 610-5003 or email anne.ossanna@acap-me.org.
