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Dear VOA Northern New England:
When my dad was stationed in Puerto Rico during the Korean War, he said he put up a small Christmas tree in his barracks. His peers made fun of him, but he told me, "They all laughed at me when I was putting up the tree, but guess where they were on Christmas Eve? They were all sitting around my tree swapping stories!"
Home for the holidays is what every U.S. Veteran deserves, but over a hundred Veterans remain homeless in Maine. Your support and gifts allow us to serve over 65 Veterans and their families each year in safe and welcoming housing. Our mission is to make sure that no Veteran returns to homelessness and that each finds a welcoming community.
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This newsletter hopes to share some of our stories about how VOA brings hope, recovery, and community connection to the lives of the Veterans we are proud to serve each day. However, without our allies, friends, and supporters, we couldn't meet our mission to offer services and transformative housing supports.
As we enter 2026, we are entering a year with increased headwinds. The federal Administration has decided to impose new restrictions on funding homeless services. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) is terminating funding to permanent supportive housing - which will result I n the eviction of over 800 persons currently housed in Maine to accomplish this policy shift. Our state shelters can only house about 1,200 persons and will not have the capacity to address this new demand. Your gifts during this turbulent time is needed more than ever.
Thank you for everything you offer our Veterans experiencing homelessness and disabilities! Because of you, a Veteran has a place to call home this Holiday Season!
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Rich Hooks Wayman
CEO, VOA Northern New England
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As we gather for Thanksgiving, we’re reminded that home and family—however we define them—are at the heart of this season. A safe, welcoming place to belong is something many of us cherish, and it’s especially meaningful for the veterans we serve. Their journeys have often included sacrifice, hardship, and time away from loved ones, making moments of connection and comfort all the more important.
This year, residents at Cabin in the Woods were able to enjoy an early Thanksgiving meal and even bring a turkey home, thanks to a generous gift from the Patriot Riders of Maine Chapter 4. Their support helped ensure that our veterans could celebrate with warmth, dignity, and a sense of community. It’s a powerful reminder that when we come together in gratitude and generosity, we help create the feeling of home that every veteran deserves.
Click here to learn more about Cabin in the Woods
| | | | | This Veterans Day, our community once again demonstrated the extraordinary impact of generosity and collective care. Through the thoughtful efforts of the Daughters of the American Revolution, veterans at Cabin in the Woods received buckets filled with essential cleaning supplies—items that make a real difference in maintaining a safe, comfortable home. | | |
Their kindness was made possible in part by Lowe’s Home Improvement in Thomaston, who generously donated the buckets themselves.
Gifts like these go far beyond the items inside. They’re a reminder that our veterans are seen, valued, and supported by the community around them. Every act of giving—big or small—helps create a sense of stability and belonging for those who have given so much in service. This Veterans Day, we’re grateful for partners who continue to show what it means to uplift others and strengthen the community we all share.
Learn ways you can help here!
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Demonstrating Kindness
This Veterans Day brought a powerful display of community support to the residents at Cabin in the Woods, showing how generosity at every scale can come together to make a meaningful impact. On Veterans Day itself, Applebee’s Grill + Bar in Augusta provided lunch for all the veterans — a warm reminder that even large chains can play a heartfelt role in supporting those who have served. The very next day, The Red Barn, a beloved local restaurant, also in Augusta, continued the celebration by donating another delicious lunch to every resident.
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Together, these two businesses—one national, one local—demonstrated how kindness knows no size. When organizations big and small unite around a shared purpose, they create moments of comfort, gratitude, and connection for our veterans. Their generosity ensured that each cabin felt the appreciation of an entire community, reinforcing that when we work together, we can show our veterans the honor and care they deserve.
Never let another veteran go hungry again
| | Introducing Our New Strategic Plan | | |
We are proud to introduce VOA’s bold and forward-thinking strategic plan for 2026-2028: Strengthening Our Foundation of Service.
In the face of evolving challenges and increased demand in housing, behavioral health, and justice-diversion services—particularly in rural and underserved areas—VOA is unwavering in its commitment to the most vulnerable members of our community.
This plan was crafted with an acute awareness of the changing landscape of social services, where federal and state priorities are shifting toward outcome-driven, cost-effective solutions. As a trusted leader in this sector for decades, VOA is fully prepared to meet these changes head-on, ensuring our services remain responsive, innovative, and impactful.
At the heart of this strategic vision are three key priorities: expanding essential services, forging strong public partnerships, and building financial resilience. By reinforcing our foundation in these areas, we will continue to deliver transformative services that uplift and empower those in need. Through financial stability, a dedicated workforce, and a deep commitment to collaboration, VOA will ensure that our mission remains sustainable and effective—today and well into the future.
Click HERE to read the full plan
| | Riverlands Project Update | | |
VOA Northern New England has received federal and state funding to begin construction of a new apartment building to offer supportive housing to persons experiencing long-term homelessness in Augusta.
The Riverlands Project was approved by the Kennebec County Planning Board to construct 25 new units of housing to help get people off the streets and into safe housing! We are finalizing plans now and hope to break ground with our developer partner, the Developer's Collaborative in mid-2026!
VOA remains committed to our strategic priority to expand affordable housing opportunities in Maine. We will keep you posted as to our progress!
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