The stories of Bill and Patrina are great examples of the intent and the
possibilities of The Starfish Fund. Short versions are below, along with links
to longer versions written by them.
The story of Patrina Felts: In 2001, while attending a program sponsored by
the Maine Job Corps Center, Patrina met Bill Cumming. Only a few minutes
into the first session of the "What One Person Can Do" program she thought
"this dude is crazy!" Soon she was captivated by what she was learning
about Ownership, Responsibility, Loving-kindness....and by what she was
learning about herself. Life took Patrina from Maine to New Jersey where she
followed her passion for caring for children and held tight to her dream of
providing a home for hard to place foster children. Years later, Patrina
reconnected with Bill and took a trip "home" to spend the holidays with him
and his family in Maine, bringing with her three of her inner city foster
children. There, she share her dream for Trina's House and her desire to
leave the inner city and return to Maine. With Bill's support and
encouragement Patrina became one of the first recipients of The Starfish
Fund and made the move, living with Bill for a short time before settling into
her own place. Today she is a licensed therapeutic foster partner pursing her
dream. The foster children of Maine are benefiting. To read her story in own
words, please click here.
The story of William F. McIntosh (Bill M.): The short version goes like this: Bill
M. grows up in an incredibly dysfunctional household where physical and
emotional abuse is the common and earning a living by way of theft and
selling drugs is the norm. Living his life by the example set for him lands him
in juvenile detention facilities, county jail and ultimately, The Maine State
Prison (MSP). While there, he reluctantly participates in The New Horizons
Academy, where he meets Bill Cumming who is leading the 12 week “What
One Person Can Do” conversation. The program has a profound impact on
Bill M. (click here to read the story in Bill’s own words).
Once out of prison, Bill M., a skilled carpenter, searches for a job, hoping to
find something steady, beyond unloading fish or day labor that would allow
him to provide for his family. The interviews went fine until Bill revealed that
he received his carpentry training in the MSP. In frustration, he calls Bill
Cumming. By pooling resources and asking friends for assistance, Bill C.
gives Bill M. the opportunity to set up shop and work his trade (thus
becoming one of the first recipients in the then pilot idea known as The
Starfish Fund). Today – Bill M. is the proud owner of Freedom Furniture
based in Portland, Maine. There he builds fine hand crafted custom furniture
and accessories, including the classic Maine boot bench featured below.
possibilities of The Starfish Fund. Short versions are below, along with links
to longer versions written by them.
The story of Patrina Felts: In 2001, while attending a program sponsored by
the Maine Job Corps Center, Patrina met Bill Cumming. Only a few minutes
into the first session of the "What One Person Can Do" program she thought
"this dude is crazy!" Soon she was captivated by what she was learning
about Ownership, Responsibility, Loving-kindness....and by what she was
learning about herself. Life took Patrina from Maine to New Jersey where she
followed her passion for caring for children and held tight to her dream of
providing a home for hard to place foster children. Years later, Patrina
reconnected with Bill and took a trip "home" to spend the holidays with him
and his family in Maine, bringing with her three of her inner city foster
children. There, she share her dream for Trina's House and her desire to
leave the inner city and return to Maine. With Bill's support and
encouragement Patrina became one of the first recipients of The Starfish
Fund and made the move, living with Bill for a short time before settling into
her own place. Today she is a licensed therapeutic foster partner pursing her
dream. The foster children of Maine are benefiting. To read her story in own
words, please click here.
The story of William F. McIntosh (Bill M.): The short version goes like this: Bill
M. grows up in an incredibly dysfunctional household where physical and
emotional abuse is the common and earning a living by way of theft and
selling drugs is the norm. Living his life by the example set for him lands him
in juvenile detention facilities, county jail and ultimately, The Maine State
Prison (MSP). While there, he reluctantly participates in The New Horizons
Academy, where he meets Bill Cumming who is leading the 12 week “What
One Person Can Do” conversation. The program has a profound impact on
Bill M. (click here to read the story in Bill’s own words).
Once out of prison, Bill M., a skilled carpenter, searches for a job, hoping to
find something steady, beyond unloading fish or day labor that would allow
him to provide for his family. The interviews went fine until Bill revealed that
he received his carpentry training in the MSP. In frustration, he calls Bill
Cumming. By pooling resources and asking friends for assistance, Bill C.
gives Bill M. the opportunity to set up shop and work his trade (thus
becoming one of the first recipients in the then pilot idea known as The
Starfish Fund). Today – Bill M. is the proud owner of Freedom Furniture
based in Portland, Maine. There he builds fine hand crafted custom furniture
and accessories, including the classic Maine boot bench featured below.
Just two stories...
 | |  | |  | |  |
| The Starfish Fund P.O. Box 304 Litchfield, ME 04350 T: 207-582-2405 E: info@thestarfishfund.com www.thestarfishfund.com |
The Starfish Fund
gave Bill and Patrina
an opportunity.
Today, they work to
give back to The
Starfish Fund, so
that others may
have the same
opportunity one day.
Contributions made
to The Starfish Fund
provide a foundation
for others.
To read the longer
version of Patrina
Felt's story (written
by her), please click
here.
To read the longer
version of Bill
McIntosh’s story
(written by him),
please click here.
To learn more about
Freedom Furniture,
please contact Bill
McIntosh at:
Freedom Furniture
736 Riverside St
Portland, ME 04103
207-878-0500
We appreciate you
taking the time to
view our website
and consider making
a donation.
Namaste!
gave Bill and Patrina
an opportunity.
Today, they work to
give back to The
Starfish Fund, so
that others may
have the same
opportunity one day.
Contributions made
to The Starfish Fund
provide a foundation
for others.
To read the longer
version of Patrina
Felt's story (written
by her), please click
here.
To read the longer
version of Bill
McIntosh’s story
(written by him),
please click here.
To learn more about
Freedom Furniture,
please contact Bill
McIntosh at:
Freedom Furniture
736 Riverside St
Portland, ME 04103
207-878-0500
We appreciate you
taking the time to
view our website
and consider making
a donation.
Namaste!
