Safe Harbor Recovery Home Celebrates Five Years

Guests included Edie Smith (Senator Angus King's office), Gorman Smith and Mike Freysinger (Maine Office of Behavioral Health,) Victoria Davis (Maine Office of Child & Family Services), Steve McDermott (Genesis Fund), Marsha Sloan (Family Futures Downeast), Jason Parent (Community Action in Aroostook, Washington & Hancock), Clem Deveau (AMHC), Abby Frutchey (CCC), and Elsie Flemings (Healthy Acadia), who gathered following the celebration to discuss strategies for sustainability, the first of many conversations to come. 

On March 27, Healthy Acadia, Community Caring Collaborative (CCC), AMHC, and community partners came together to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Safe Harbor Recovery Home for women with children, the only recovery residence of its kind in Washington County.

Since opening its doors in 2020, Safe Harbor has provided a safe, supportive place to heal for 50 women and 51 children, offering housing alongside wraparound services that help families rebuild and move forward.

The celebration was held at the Edward L. Hennessey Jr. Training Center in Machias, with opportunities for guests to tour the recovery home just a short distance away. Current and former residents gathered alongside local and state partners, sharing reflections, connections, and a deep sense of community.

A heartfelt highlight of the morning was a powerful story shared by former resident Kandi Cole, a mother of two young children. Kandi spoke openly about her journey to Safe Harbor, arriving at a moment when she felt she had run out of options, and how the support she found there helped her and her family begin again. Her story was a moving reminder of the strength of recovery and the importance of having a safe, supportive place for families to heal and grow.

Partners from across the region and state joined the event, including representatives from Sen. King’s office, the Office of Behavioral Health, the Office of Child & Family Services, the Genesis Fund, Family Futures Downeast, Community Action in Aroostook, Washington & Hancock, AMHC, CCC, and Healthy Acadia. The gathering concluded with a thoughtful conversation about sustaining and growing this vital resource—marking the beginning of continued collaboration to ensure Safe Harbor remains a place of support and possibility for years to come.

Located in Machias, Safe Harbor Recovery Home was established in 2020 in response to a clear need for recovery housing in Washington County, identified through conversations with local stakeholders during the pandemic. Today, the program is operated by Healthy Acadia in close partnership with the Community Caring Collaborative (CCC), AMHC, and Downeast Community Partners (DCP), and is a MARR-certified Level 3, non-clinical recovery residence.

Safe Harbor’s mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and affordable living environment for women in recovery, with a vision of building a recovery-ready community where individuals and families can access the resources they need to thrive. The home serves women ages 18 and older, with or without children (generally age 10 or younger), who are committed to their recovery and personal growth. Residents live together in a shared space, supporting one another in maintaining accountability and working toward their goals.

The impact of Safe Harbor is clear. Residents have moved into permanent housing, obtained driver’s licenses, participated in education and recovery programs, and accessed critical support to overcome barriers such as transportation, communication, and basic needs. These milestones reflect not just individual progress, but the strength of a supportive, community-centered approach to recovery.

Applications for Safe Harbor Recovery Home are available online here. Individuals may apply directly, or professionals and advocates may submit applications on behalf of someone they are supporting. After submission, staff follow up to schedule an interview or place applicants on a waitlist, with move-ins coordinated during business hours once accepted.

Safe Harbor continues to change lives, offering not just a place to stay, but a place to grow, heal, and build a brighter future for families in our community.