Applications for affordable housing with Avesta Housing, the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in northern New England, increased by double digits in 2022 over the previous year, exemplifying the increasing need for safe, quality, affordable housing in Maine and New Hampshire. Applications for homes with Avesta Housing in 2022 revealed the following data: Total applications
Rebecca Hatfield’s first day as president and CEO of Avesta Housing in Maine also happened to be her daughter’s first day of kindergarten. Hatfield woke up extra early so she’d have time to wait at the bus stop with her daughter, whose name and teacher were written on a tag hanging over the dress that her
In April 2017, Anne had reached a personal nadir. For the first time in her life, she was homeless, having been evicted from her efficiency apartment in Massachusetts following a lost lawsuit over maintenance issues. Arriving in Portland with just three bags, she wandered the streets, desperate to find a place to stay before the
Avesta Housing has been named a recipient of a $430,000 grant by NeighborWorks America as part of a $1.2 million federal appropriation for affordable housing in Maine’s First Congressional District. “We are thrilled to be a recipient of the NeighborWorks America grant,” said Avesta Housing President & CEO Rebecca Hatfield. “The need for safe, quality,
Crosby, 72, is an Air Force veteran and Maine native who hails from a long line of military service. Three of his uncles served in World War II; his grandfather served in World War I. It’s not surprising, then, that he has always felt the need to help others. In 1969, Hurricane Camille devastated the
Melissa LeBrun has spent most of her adult life helping others. She began fostering children in her 20s, four of whom she adopted. During the Great Recession, she launched a soup kitchen with her mother in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. She is a former medical social worker with a master’s degree in human services
When school is in session at Central School in South Berwick, Maine, you are likely to find Bill Glass and his Golden Retriever, Layla, visiting the classrooms. Bill reads to the students (grades pre-K to 3) while Layla offers up her belly or ears for a good petting. In technical terms, they provide therapeutic emotional support. In plain
With thousands of people on Avesta Housing’s wait list for affordable dwellings, the head of the Portland-based nonprofit has a lot on her plate for 2023 and well beyond. “We are working diligently to provide more homes for people in need,” says Rebecca Hatfield, president and CEO. “Avesta has 700-plus units in various stages of
Charlene knows what it’s like to need a helping hand. She raised six children by herself when her husband died at a young age. As a nurse’s aide for York County Health Services, she oftentimes cared for lower-income older adults in their homes. “I even washed their feet,” she said, proudly. At 90, Charlene is
Pictured above, left to right: NBT Bank Maine Regional President Kimberly Twitchell, Avesta HomeOwnership Center Director Nicole DiGeronimo, Avesta Housing President & CEO Rebecca Hatfield, Avesta Housing Vice President of Advancement Sara Olson, and NBT Bank Vice President and Senior Banking Relationship Manager Mark Schaub NBT Bank has donated $5,000 to Avesta Housing to help provide affordable
