WELCOME HOME KITS
8 Kits. 8 New Beginnings. One Community
Help KBH create 8 Welcome Home Kits for residents moving into Supported Housing this fall. Complete one of the first 8 kits and an anonymous donor will add a $50 gift card, giving the resident room to choose something that feels uniquely right for them.
A KEY IS THE BEGINNING
A key opens the door. You can help make what's behind it feel like home.
Every year, KBH’s Supported Housing program helps individuals experiencing homelessness or living with serious and persistent mental health challenges move toward greater stability and independence.
KBH provides housing and the supports residents need to successfully live in the community. But when someone unlocks the door to their new apartment for the first time, they may still be starting with very little.
No clean sheets. No bath towels. No laundry detergent. No everyday household essentials.
That’s where Welcome Home Kits come in.
Filled with new, practical items someone can use from their very first night, each kit helps transform an apartment into a place that feels welcoming, comfortable and their own.
WHAT MAKES A WELCOME HOME KIT?
The little things aren't little when you're starting over.
Bed & Bath
Sheets, blankets, pillows, towels and other basics for a comfortable first night.
Cleaning & Laundry
Laundry detergent, household cleaners, paper products, laundry baskets and everyday cleaning essentials.
Personal Care
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, deodorant and other personal care basics.
Household Essentials
Dish soap, waste baskets and other practical items that make day-to-day life easier.
A Personal Touch
Simple extras such as a soft blanket, water bottle, journal or pens that can help a new space feel a little more personal.
THE $50 FINISHING TOUCH
Complete a kit. We'll add a little choice.
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, each of the first 8 completed Welcome Home Kits will be paired with a $50 gift card.
Why a gift card?
Because while we can provide the essentials, a resident should also have the opportunity to choose something for themselves, whether that’s an item they still need, something in their favorite color, or simply something that makes their new apartment feel more like their home.
8 completed kits= 8 residents welcomed home with essentials + choice.
THERE'S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO HELP
Choose the way that works for you.
ONE COMMUNITY, EIGHT WELCOMES HOME.
You don't have to fill an entire kit to make a difference.
Buy one item. Adopt a whole kit. Invite your coworkers to participate. Rally your church, civic group or neighbors.
However you choose to help, your contribution becomes part of something bigger: a community coming together to welcome someone home.
WANT TO MAKE THIS A TEAM EFFORT?
We’d love to work with local businesses, churches, civic organizations, schools and community groups to create a Welcome Home Kit project that fits your team.
- Adopt one or more complete kits
- Host an employee or member item drive
- Organize a kit-packing event
- Sponsor additional gift cards
- Create your own team challenge
Have another idea? We’re happy to build it with you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Absolutely. You don’t need to complete an entire kit to participate. Every contribution helps us build toward eight complete Welcome Home Kits.
Yes! We especially welcome teams and community groups that would like to adopt a kit, host a drive or pack a kit together.
Yes and No. We ask that all bed, bath, cleaning, laundry, and personal care items be in new unused condition. We will accept both new and gently used household essentials and kitchen supplies—KBH will evaluate them before placing in a kit.
Donations can be dropped off at 66 Stone Street in Augusta or 12 Park Street in Waterville during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. We’d love to know you’re coming, so if possible, please call ahead so a member of our team can be ready to welcome you and lend a hand unloading.
We encourage donations to arrive by Tuesday, November 24, but we also know many generous shoppers may want to take advantage of Black Friday deals. If that’s you, donations can also be dropped off at 66 Stone Street on November 30 or December 1, our Welcome Kit Assembly Day, during regular business hours.
If the provided times will not work for you, special arrangements may be arranged by contacting engagement@kbhmaine.org in advance.
Once one of the first eight kits is complete, an anonymous donor will contribute a $50 gift card to accompany it so the resident can choose something additional for their new home.
We’d love to hear from you. Contact Amber Kruk at akruk@kbhmaine.org or 207-873-2136 ext. 1035.
Help make the first night feel like home.
8 Welcome Home Kits. 8 new beginnings. One community ready to welcome them.
Questions or partnership ideas?
Amber Kruk
Director of Development & Community Engagement
Kennebec Behavioral Health
207.873.2136 ext. 1035
akruk@kbhmaine.org