FREEPORT – After its humble beginning 11 years ago, the YMCA of Southern Maine’s Adaptive Services Program has become a vital community effort to help those who have lost normal movement through illness or injury.

“We assist a wide range of people who have had strokes or debilitating disease with being able to use the facilities at the YMCA,” said Karen Tucker, volunteer coordinator for the Freeport chapter of the group. “The adaptive services component satisfies both a physical and mental need.”

The program, which services individuals from Brunswick to Scarborough and points in between, is completely funded by its annual auction, scheduled this year for Wednesday, April 3, at Freeport’s Hilton Garden Inn on Park Street.

“We have no additional funding, so this is it for us,” said Tucker. “Last year we raised over $56,000, which went directly to the program.”

The benefit runs from 6-9 p.m and features a 50/50 raffle, a silent and live auction, beer and wine bar and donations from local artists.

Due to a long waiting list for the highly specialized and expensive care, the program is hoping to hire an additional full-time staff member’

As the only program of its kind in the area providing such care to the participants, regardless of their ability to pay, it has surpassed its capacity, said Tucker.

“In addition to the 20 people we assist on a regular basis, we constantly have people coming in looking for help,” said YMCA volunteer Burke Hazzard, who works directly with the individuals on a day-to-day basis.

One additional part-time staff member would enable the Y to accommodate seven to 10 additional people coming to the Y twice a week, said Tucker.

“There is a constant waiting list for individual work, and staff are unable to accommodate all of the requests for new programming, such as adaptive aquatics for local schools and group programs for those living with chronic illness,” she added.

The program also provides a respite for caregivers and fosters a sense of independence for the individuals it serves, said Hazzard.

“The people really can’t wait to be here. It provides a level of self confidence that is essential to life,’ said Tucker.