YMCA Community Navigators report falling contacts, highlight utility and housing work

Karen-Ann Hagar-Smith, director of Outreach and Community Navigation for the Central Lincoln County YMCA, presented the program's 2025 Annual Report to the Lincoln County Commissioners on May 5. She said overall navigator interactions are trending down, which the program interprets as people learning to access services more effectively.

Ms. Hagar-Smith described primary navigator work on utility and heating assistance, coordination with the Salvation Army to issue vouchers across towns, and "community days" held with CMP so residents can get direct help while navigators handle intake and de-escalation. She said the program emphasizes a "one contact" model to protect dignity and reduce overwhelm while helping people complete next steps.

Abby DeLena and YMCA Operations Director Brian Hayes provided intake examples showing detailed assessment leads to better outcomes for housing insecurity when shelters are full. Ms. DeLena described a case in which deputies referred a homeless couple living in a car; navigators provided immediate food, short-term gas and hotel support via donors and helped the couple enroll in Job Corps for housing and training.

Commissioners asked about multi-year county support and how the program grew out of COVID-era collaboration; Ms. Hagar-Smith said the team has strengthened ties with local agencies such as Tedford Shelter and area hospitals and continues to expand mental-health training offerings. The navigators said the public can reach them at 207-403-4116 (answered by Ms. Hagar-Smith and Ms. DeLena).

Commissioners expressed appreciation for the program's impact and encouraged continued collaboration with towns and partners.