By: Maria Williams
Falmouth, ME – June 19,2024 – On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Northpoint Mortgage Loan Officers Alina Burke (Branch Manager, NMLS#509630) and Sally DeCrescente (Loan Officer, NMLS# 2116291) alongside Kaitlin Parker from Townsend Real Estate, hosted a successful donation and packing event benefiting CourageLIVES and Not Here Justice in Action Network, Fresh Start Drive: Empowering Women, Transforming Lives initiative.
CourageLIVES, a part of St. Andre Home in Bangor, Maine, provides comprehensive community-based services for survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, and abuse, and their families. Their services include outpatient therapy, case management, housing support, transportation assistance, employment support, educational assistance, referrals to resources and service providers, and, importantly, basic needs support through their Empowerment Pantry and Courage Clothing Closet.
Not Here Justice in Action Network in Auburn Maine, is a grassroots effort that facilitates collaboration with key members of society to address the threats of human trafficking and exploitation, child abuse, sexual violence and gender inequality.
In the months leading up to the event, the organizers made a heartfelt plea for support. “Please help us spread the word about the crisis of human trafficking and exploitation right here in Maine, and please help by donating gently used purses, and essentials so desperately needed,” said Burke. The community responded generously, donating over 200 purses, personal care items, and over $1,000 in gift cards.
On June 19th, about 20 locals gathered at Northpoint Mortgage’s Falmouth office to pack donated purses with personal care items and write affirmation cards for affected women and their families. The attendees packed over 200 bags, ensuring each recipient feels valued and supported.
Rich and Timothy Dinges, owners of Northpoint Mortgage, were among the local business partners in attendance. “The event was wonderful and eye-opening. The stories shared were truly touching. I’m proud of our Loan Officers and everyone else involved for bringing awareness to such a worthy cause,” remarked Rich Dinges.
Photo Courtesy: Emily Lucchesi
Representatives from CourageLIVES expressed their gratitude, highlighting the positive impact such donations have on survivors’ lives. “We are incredibly grateful to Northpoint Mortgage and all of the individuals and businesses who donated personal care items to CourageLIVES for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. Leaving trafficking can be painstaking, and survivors often go without the very things they need. This collection drive provides survivors with essential items, and lets survivors know there is hope and that there are people who care”, noted Carey Nason, Executive Director of CourageLIVES.
Reflecting on the event, Burke said, “I am completely and happily overwhelmed by ALL of this, and hope those who jumped in to help understand the gravity of their kindness and impact on the lives of survivors.” DeCrescente added, “We are overwhelmed, in the best way possible, by the amount of donations we received from generous family, friends, business partners and local businesses. It was truly amazing seeing the community come together for such a great cause! Our goal was not only to collect donations but to bring awareness to this issue happening in Maine and provide hope to survivors and I am proud to say we accomplished that and more! My heart is so full, and it was an honor to have been part of this.”
The Falmouth Northpoint Mortgage office will continue to serve as a drop-off location for collecting needed items indefinitely. The office is located at 241 US Route One, Suite 302, Falmouth, ME 04105.
Northpoint Mortgage, Inc. is an Equal Housing Lender. NMLS 1515. For additional information, contact: 888-310-7707 | info@trynorthpoint.com | www.trynorthpoint.com
Published By: Aize Perez
