MONTICELLO, Maine — For the past 17 years, the Northern Lighthouse has helped families and children with varying degrees of disabilities, whether they be mental or emotional in nature.
In 2001, Northern Lighthouse Inc. employed three people in a small residential facility in Mars Hill. Today, the company has grown to a staff of 110 employees with locations in Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Caribou, Houlton and Waterville.
The Northern Lighthouse assists families and children that have varying disabilities and provides HCT (home and community-based treatment), case management, residential treatment, outpatient therapy, and Section 28 services to about 435 people in Aroostook County.
To help with ever-rising costs, the non-profit organization will hold a fundraising craft fair at the former Wellington School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 28.
According to Tiffany Faulkner, CEO of Northern Lighthouse, the former school building is the latest acquisition for the company. It was purchased last October from the town of Monticello, which had taken ownership of the property after it was closed by RSU 29.
Faulkner said the group plans to open an 8-10 bed residential facility for children at the property, with the hopes of offering educational classes for the children at some point down the road to better utilize the assets of the former school.
“We are really excited about this opportunity,” Faulkner said. “Our hope is to have the residential facility open by fall. Finding staff will be the biggest issue.”
“We have people who travel hours downstate because there are only six beds (currently) in all of Aroostook County,” added Amy Hocking of Northern Lighthouse. “If you are trying to rebuild your family, but have to drive four hours and can only make it every couple of weeks, how can you do that?”
Hocking said interest in the craft fair has skyrocketed. Proceeds from the craft fair will go toward food and toys for clients and their families at Christmas.
“We did 174 food boxes and gifts around the County last Christmas,” Hocking said. “We figured we have this great space (Wellington School), why not hold a craft fair? It’s a great opportunity to get crafters to participate.”
Twenty-six vendors have signed up for the event, and there are many more on a waiting list trying to get added, Hocking said.
For more information on Northern Lighthouse, visit: http://tnlh.org/.
