More than half of the $700,000 needed to purchase the Friendship Cottage property has now been raised, marking a major milestone in the effort to secure the long‑term future of this essential community resource. With this momentum, organizers are turning their attention to raising the remaining funds—and, equally important, increasing the number of daily program participants to ensure the sustainability of the services that so many families rely on.
The Save the Building Fund’s progress reflects the community’s deep belief in Friendship Cottage’s mission: providing high‑quality adult day services that allow adults with physical, cognitive, or memory challenges to remain safely in their homes for as long as possible. As fundraising continues, Friendship Cottage is also encouraging families to consider enrolling loved ones, noting that program participation directly strengthens the organization’s ability to continue offering compassionate, individualized care.
Aside from its signage, on the outside Friendship Cottage looks like just another residential property. Inside, however, staff members provide vital services to adults with physical, cognitive, or memory challenges. The adult day services provided at Friendship Cottage allow participants to thrive in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
Friendship Cottage is open for services Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. According to Anne Ossanna, Aging Services Program Coordinator, “Every service we provide is done with care and support. From our homemade delicious meals, to assisting with all activities of daily living, to activities that stimulate the mind, quality is the top priority.” At Friendship Cottage, each participant is provided with individualized care and attention that meets their unique needs.
The value and impact of the services provided at Friendship Cottage are best described by the family members of participants who have experienced them. Peter Fletcher, whose wife Judy attended Friendship Cottage due to memory challenges, found value in both the care provided to his wife and the respite provided to him. He describes his family’s experience this way: “[The] staff won both our hearts with calm, professional demeanors and caring routine. I can’t stress enough how well Judy did in their program.”
Lynette Johnson, whose mother attended Friendship Cottage, emphasizes the trust built and maintained with Friendship Cottage staff as a key factor in its value to her family. “Friendship Cottage was a lifeline for my mother and me,” states Johnson. “I could show up as a daughter, not as someone constantly worrying whether my mother would be taken care of. I knew she would be.”
Ossanna highlights that the services provided by Friendship Cottage have become even more crucial as care has become less available from other sources in the community. She says, “There has been a shift in the past five years with the gradual closing of all the nursing homes in Hancock County. We are seeing participants who are requiring more care and caregivers who are keeping loved ones in their homes longer.” In addition, Ossanna notes that more Friendship Cottage participants are requiring additional services to keep them safe in their homes.
Fletcher notes that the opportunity Friendship Cottage provides for people to receive the care they need while remaining at home makes a huge impact. He states, “That Friendship Cottage enabled Judy to partake in daily structure while still living at home was an inestimable gift to us both.”
As the need for adult day services continues to rise, so does the importance of preserving the building and program that make this care possible. Ongoing support remains essential. Completing the fundraising goal will ensure that Friendship Cottage can continue providing safe, reliable, and high-quality services in its current location for years to come. Ossanna underscores this dual need for both philanthropic support and steady program utilization: “We are incredibly grateful for the donors who have helped us reach this point. But just as important is the ongoing use of our services. When families enroll their loved ones here, they’re not only receiving essential care—they are directly helping Friendship Cottage continue its mission.”
Community members are encouraged to consider making a donation, scheduling a visit, or learning more about how Friendship Cottage supports adults with physical, cognitive, or memory challenges—and the families who care for them.
Families interested in enrolling a family member in Friendship Cottage can call and set up a free trial day. Friendship Cottage accepts payment for services through contracts with Mainecare, the DHHS Office of Aging and Disability Services, and Seniors Plus. Some long-term care insurances may cover services, or private pay is also accepted.
For more information about the services provided at Friendship Cottage, the enrollment process, or ways to support the Save the Building Fund, call (207) 374-5612 or email anne.ossanna@acap-me.org.
