History
of Friendship Cottage
Seeing the necessity of a safe haven for our most vulnerable neighbors and those who care for them, a small group of community members worked diligently to make Friendship Cottage a possibility. Their efforts resulted in the seemingly impossible, raising over 1 million dollars from individuals, businesses, private family foundations and federal grants. Thanks to more than 400 contributions from individuals, Friendship Cottage is now able to do what is necessary and fulfill our promise "to gently tend to the needs of dependent adults, while guiding and assisting the family and friends who care for them.
How it All Began
Interior of Friendship Cottage buildingbefore renovations were made.
Facilitated by Healthy Peninsula in 2005, a group of local service providers met in Blue Hill to discuss the scope and availability of services for families in the area and identified Adult Day Service as a need. Since then, WHCA has been working with community groups and individuals in the Blue Hill Peninsula area and developed the support needed to establish a local Adult Day Service Program (ADSP).
Gerry Bryan and Tim King, executive director of Washington Hancock Community Agency, spearheaded the Friendship Cottage concept. They had met at a caregiver support group; Bryan was taking care of his wife, Jackie, and King was taking care of his mother. With the help of community members, an energetic capital campaign committee, a CDBG grant and the support of Blue Hill Selectmen, the project got off to a great start.
A capital campaign was launched with the help of a 14-member Capital Campaign Committee made up of local residents and the site was procured in 2006. Over $1 million was raised for the project. An advisory board made up of service providers and caregivers worked together to design the program to reflect the needs and wants of the community. By the fall of 2007, renovations were in full swing to turn the former Left Bank Café into an adult day service facility. Friendship Cottage opened in July 2008, thanks to tremendous support from local community members.