The Boothbay Region Community Resources group struck gold twice when they envisioned a novel approach to helping those in need and then found the ideal person to transform the concept into reality.

For years, local church clergy, staff and volunteers struggled to assist the underprivileged in an increasingly complicated environment. Desperation spurred creative thinking and led to the idea of a paid community navigator who would be the go-to person for human need on the Boothbay peninsula.

Two years ago, with the aid of a Doree Taylor grant, the group hired Michaela Stone as the region's (and state's, and perhaps, nation's) first Community Navigator. With no precedent, Stone has created the job as she has gone along. And she has done so well that she is, in some ways, reeling from her success.

"People just started rolling in and it was both exciting and daunting," Stone said, "because what people are seeking is so varied."

Raised in Sheepscot and educated in local community schools and the University of Southern Maine, Stone resides with her family, which includes two children, five dogs and assorted farm animals, in Alna. She worked as a Head Start case manager in Waldoboro before accepting her current position as community navigator.

In two years, Stone has helped 235 clients and 542 people in those client’s households. In an average winter month, she assists 32 clients, with 80 in those client’s households and is averaging eight new clients a month. Assisting any one individual on any one issue translates to hours, days, and sometimes, weeks of work.

On any given day, Stone may handle 20 to 30 phone calls, assist 6 to 10 walk-ins at her office in the Meadow Mall, and when necessary, visit clients in their homes. She connects people with local, state and federal resources, assists them with fuel, food, transportation and clothing needs, finds healthcare, and figures out medical bills and other paperwork.

In essence, people bring her their problems and she helps to find solutions.

"She is doing an excellent job," Community Resources President Susan Wilson said. "She knows her job and she knows the resources available in the community or through the state and federal government. I've learned a tremendous amount from her."

The job is so big that these days Stone is struggling a little herself. "The need keeps getting bigger and bigger," she said. "I'm still trying to find balance."

For the most part, Stone is a one-woman office. Because of the confidential nature of the work, volunteers are not able to assist with the administrative or clerical needs of the office. Carolyn Shubert has been hired to work a few hours each week. But it seems clear that if Stone is to balance the case load and the need for documentation, more paid administrative help is needed.

The Community Navigator's success is tied both to the growing local need and to Stone's open and caring personality. "She has a way of opening people up who have difficulty talking," Wilson said.

Shubert, who sees Stone's work first-hand, said she is appreciative of the work being done and Stone's unique skills and talents.

"Michaela is caring for whole families," Shubert said. "She even takes care of the pets."

According to Wilson and Stone, the community navigator position exists nowhere else in the state and they have been unable to find a similar position anywhere in the country. But Stone said word is steadily getting out about the program.

Stone said she not only receives calls from needy people in other parts of the state (whom she cannot help because they do not live on the peninsula) but also from other resource groups. "People love the model and are looking to recreate it in their areas," Stone said.

While Stone focuses on caring for the community, an effort is underway to provide her with more support to do her job. Wilson said the Community Resources group is looking for other grant funding opportunities and recently launched a fundraising campaign at the Chamber of Commerce business after hours.

Stone said this year's fundraising goal is $100,000. All dollars raised will be used to support the community navigator's work, as well as all the myriad other ways the Resource Group provides food, fuel, clothing, transportation, housing and general assistance to the community.

To learn more about the Boothbay Region Community Resources, the community navigator or to donate, visit www.boothbayresources.com.

Donations may be sent to BRCR, 185 Townsend Avenue, Suite N, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. Presently, the group is seeking nonprofit status; in the meantime, the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor provides tax-deductible status for donations.