Friendship Cottage Faces Uncertain Future Without Ownership

Friendship Cottage, a vital adult day care center in Blue Hill, must buy back its facility to continue serving adults with mental and physical disabilities. The center has operated from its location on Ellsworth Road for over two decades, but recent financial troubles faced by its former parent organization, Downeast Community Partners (DCP), have put its future at risk.

In October 2023, DCP formally ceased operations, turning over most of its programs to the Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP). The nonprofit now owes the Maine Department of Health and Human Services over $4 million, leading to liens on several properties, including Friendship Cottage. As part of DCP’s liquidation process, the center now faces potential sale by the state.

Community Rallying to Save Friendship Cottage

Friendship Cottage provides essential day care services, allowing families to care for their loved ones while they work. The center offers medication management, hot meals, and community activities in a supportive environment. Many participants, like Dede Johnson, rely on the service to maintain their family’s daily routines. “If Friendship Cottage wasn’t here, someone would have to quit their job to come take care of my husband,” Johnson stated, highlighting the personal and economic impact of the center.

Ann Ossanna, Executive Director of Friendship Cottage, has been with the organization since its inception and recalls the community’s efforts in 2005 to raise $1.4 million to purchase and renovate the facility, transforming it from a former café into a dedicated care center. Learning that they may have to buy the property again devastated her. “I was devastated, to be honest,” Ossanna said.

In a recent announcement, a group known as the Friends of Friendship Cottage launched a fundraising campaign to secure ownership of the property once more. Currently, Friendship Cottage operates under ACAP’s sponsorship, but the future of the facility hinges on acquiring the building. Barbra Clark, a long-time volunteer and campaign organizer, noted that negotiations with the legal firm tasked with liquidating DCP’s assets are ongoing, but the property has not yet been listed for sale.

Efforts to Secure the Facility’s Future

Jason Parent, Executive Director of ACAP, described the timeline for the sale as “unclear.” He emphasized that the organization is working with community members to explore all options for purchasing the facility. “No solution is off the table at this point,” Parent explained, as ACAP aims to enhance support for the surrounding regions.

Ossanna stresses the unique design of the Friendship Cottage building, which was tailored specifically for adult day care services. Finding an alternative location would be nearly impossible. “I’ve looked into other spaces, and it’s just not going to happen,” she said. The financial implications of renting or taking on mortgage payments could severely strain the organization’s already limited resources.

Currently, Friendship Cottage serves 11 participants, five of whom require nursing home-level care. With the closure of the Island Nursing Home in 2021, the center stands as one of the few remaining adult care facilities in Hancock County, filling a crucial gap for families in the area. Ossanna highlights the importance of the center as more than just a service; it is a community where individuals can connect and feel supported. “It feels like family,” she remarked. “That’s what we hear again and again from caregivers, ‘you treat our loved ones like you would your own family.’”

As the fundraising campaign gains momentum, the future of Friendship Cottage hinges on the community’s support and their ability to reclaim ownership of the facility that has served as a lifeline for so many.