december 2023
Warming Center Opens in Sanford
On December 1st, YCSP opened a Warming Center at the former Lafayette School, at 69 Brook Street in Sanford.
The center offers shelter from the elements 24-7. We provide a comfortable place to rest, and we also offer three meals a day. Our staff includes a social work and navigators, who can offer resources and assistance to our guests.
november 2023
Dance to Benefit Thanksgiving Basket Program
We’re planning an evening of fun that will also help others. Please join us at our 14th Annual Harvest Dance, on Friday, November 3, 6-10 PM, at the Sanford Elks Lodge at 13 Elm Street in Sanford. The dance will benefit our Thanksgiving Basket Program. Administered by our Food Pantry, it provides community members with a basket that includes a turkey and all of the traditional Thanksgiving fixings. Last year we gave out 900+ baskets. We expect the need for baskets will be even greater this year.
The dance raises funds and collects non-perishable food items. Tickets are $10 and can be bought at the door or purchased by calling YCSP staff member Stacy Irving at (207) 651-5538 or Bonnie Leslie at (207) 324-1137, ext. 109. Music will be provided by DJ Gratitude. There will be a cash bar.
Bring a non-perishable item to be eligible for drawings. There will also be door prizes and 50/50 drawings.
We hope you’ll come by for a lively evening of dancing and socializing that will also help YCSP provide a Thanksgiving meal to people who otherwise might go without.
If you can’t attend the dance but would like to donate non-perishable food items or a grocery gift card to the basket program, contact Food Pantry Coordinator Mike Ouellette at (207) 391-3125 or mikeo@ycspi.org.
july 2023
New YCSP Board Members
We’d like to introduce you to the York County Shelter Programs’ Board of Directors. Several members have just joined us. The board leaders are: Clay Graybeal, Board President; Sharon Secovich, Board Secretary and Jeremy Ray, Board Treasurer. Members: Brother Jerome Lessard, Joe Hanslip, Dr. Meghan May, Walter Leffler, Shelley Cohen Konrad, Christopher Indorf, Meredith Schmid, Esq., and Kelli Deveaux.
july 2023
Food Pantry Patron Numbers Increase Greatly
During the pandemic, YCSP’s Food Pantry distributed food to about 4000 people every month. That was a marked increase to the pre-pandemic numbers, and was the result of people losing their jobs because of COVID-19. As we emerged from the pandemic, however, inflation led to the rising costs of housing, food and other necessities and resulted in even more people coming to our pantry. We are now feeding about 6000 people every month. Fortunately, we have been able to keep up with the demand, thanks to our food donors. But it is a startling statistic and reveals just how challenging these times are.
June 2023
Crafters Invited to Apply for September Apple Fest
Calling all crafters!
We're looking for crafters for the Shaker Hill Apple Festival, which will be held on the YCSP campus Saturday, Sept. 23, 10-4, and Sunday, Sept. 24, 10-3.
This juried craft fair is a big part of the festival, which also features music, family activities such as hay rides, great food and more. Our neighbors, the Shaker Museum, will also be offering events.
If interested, please contact Bonnie Leslie at bleslie@ycspi.org or (207) 324-1137, ext. 109.
We hope you'll mark the dates of our annual festival, which is back after being cancelled in recent years due to the pandemic. It's an important fundraising event for York County Shelter Programs. And it's also a lot of fun!
april 2023
Director of People, Culture & Engagement
Bonnie Leslie, formerly our Development & Outreach Coordinator and Human Resources Assistant, is now our Director of People, Culture & Engagement. The job replaces the position formerly known as Director of Human Resources. Bonnie was hired as a replacement for former Director of Human Resources Pam Buck, who left YCSP to take a position with Maine Senator Susan Collins.
Bonnie’s professional life includes decades of experience in human resources, community engagement and training experience. In this position she’ll be focusing on employee training, employee development and employee empowerment, as well as developing the workplace culture. We’re excited about the possibilities!
April 2023
Shaker Hill Bakery Will Open May 25
Shaker Hill Bakery will be opening for the 2023 season on Thursday, May 25, 10 AM to 3 PM. We will be open every Thursday-Sunday, 10 AM to 3 PM. We’ll be updating this information as our hours will increase during the summer months.
March 2023
YCSP Expands Scope with Help of Grants
March 2023 brought some good news, as YCSP received two grants administered by MaineHousing that will allow us to serve more people.
The first grant, received in early March, enabled us to create a warming shelter on our campus, through April 30. Overnight warming shelters are open to anyone who is struggling with cold weather, including people with housing and those without housing.
The second grant will allow us to create a 20-bed warming shelter for 2023-2024 in Sanford.
It’s a great way to ensure that no one is left out in the cold. This year we experienced many frigid nights, including a record-breaking cold snap.
We’re glad we will have more resources to offer the people in our communities.
March 2023
YCSP Partners with Others to Provide Warming Shelters
This winter we were hit by historically cold temperatures - with wind chills factored in, our temperatures were at -40 on one especially frigid weekend night.
Prior to the cold spells, our agency partnered with other local organizations and agencies to offer warming shelters in Sanford and Biddeford. So many people came together to offer resources, including food and volunteers to staff the overnight shelters.
Our communities, like so many others, have many unsheltered people who live in their cars, or in abandoned buildings and woods. Thanks to community outreach efforts we were able to get the word out that the warming shelters were available. And, thankfully, many people came to the warming shelters.
We’re thrilled that so many caring people came together help people in their communities. This is how you truly help others - by seeing a need, and showing up. Thankfully, the worst of winter is in the rearview - but we will continue to work to get people to come into our shelter and avail themselves of resources that can change their lives.
November 2022
Thanksgiving Meal Boxes Distributed to Hundreds of People
Our annual Thanksgiving meal distribution - which includes a turkey and all the fixings for a meal - assisted 723 individuals/families this year. The actual number of people we fed is higher, as many of the boxes are packed to feed four people.
Our Food Pantry staff and volunteers handed out boxes during the three days before Thanksgiving.
We were fortunate to receive support in this effort, through food and cash donations from local organizations, businesses and individuals. The campaign was also greatly helped by our annual Harvest Dance.
We’re so grateful to all for their generosity. You helped make Thanksgiving special for so many people living in our communities.
We will also be doing a food box distribution for the Christmas meal.
October 2022
Annual Harvest Dance Will Be Held Nov. 4
We’re thrilled to bring back the Annual Harvest Dance - a benefit held for our Thanksgiving Basket Program. The 13th Annual Harvest Dance will be held Friday, November 4, 7-11 PM, at the Sanford Elks Lodge on 13 Elm Street in Sanford.
The basket program, administered by York County Shelter Programs’ Food Pantry, provides community members with a basket that includes a turkey and all of the traditional Thanksgiving fixings, just prior to Thanksgiving. Last year we gave out 900+ baskets.
The dance - with music provided by DJ Gratitude - raises funds and collects non-perishable food items. Tickets are $10 and can be bought at the door or purchased by calling YCSP staff members Scott Davis at (207) 502-0520; or Stacy Irving at (207) 651-5538 or Bonnie Leslie at (207) 324-1137, ext. 109.
Bring a non-perishable item to be eligible for drawings. There will also be door prizes and 50/50 drawings.
We hope you’ll come by for a lively evening of dancing and socializing that will help YCSP provide a Thanksgiving meal to people who otherwise might go without.
If you can’t attend the dance but would like to donate non-perishable food items or grocery gift cards to the basket program, contact Food Pantry Coordinator Mike Ouellette at (207) 391-3125 or mikeo@ycspi.org.
September 2022
Sarah McGrath New Family Shelter Manager
We’re happy to announce that Sarah McGrath has been named Family Shelter Manager. She will oversee the operations of the Sanford shelter.
Sarah has been a Targeted Case Manager at YCSP for about a year. She has worked extensively with parents and children in previous positions as a preschool teacher and also as a case manager. She can be contacted at (207) 324-1137, ext. 124 or sarahm@ycspi.org.
SEptember 2022
Shaker Hill Bakery & Catering Hours Expanded
Our bakery hours have been expanded to seven days a week, 10 AM to 3 PM, through the Christmas holiday season. We will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
The bakery offers breads, pies, a variety of other pastries, and savory dishes including chicken pot pie, pork pie, baked beans, chili and more. Call the bakery at (207) 324-8811 to find out what is featured or to place orders.
We are taking holiday bakery orders. Also, if you are interested in our Catering services, give us a call at (207) 324-8811 or (207) 324-6953 or contact Food Service Director Scott Davis at scottd@ycspi.org. We’ll help you create a menu that’s perfect for your event.
September 2022
We’re happy to announce that The Shaker Hill Apple Festival will return in September 2023!
Due to COVID-19, the festival was cancelled the last three years. Up until then, we had been holding the festival annually since 2009.
The festival, held on our campus on Shaker Hill in Alfred, has traditionally been our largest fundraising event. It’s a lively event that features dozens of crafters, live entertainment, hay rides, pony rides, lots of children’s activities, a giant yard sale, antique car rides, festival food, tours of the Shaker Museum and pick-your-own apples in the nearby orchard. We will look forward to seeing everyone!
We will post more information when we decide on the dates.
april 2022
New Development & Outreach Coordinator & Human Resources Assistant
Bonnie Leslie has been hired for the new position of Development & Outreach Coordinator & Human Resources Assistant. Bonnie is an experienced professional who held several administrative positions during her 20-year career at Waban in Sanford.
“I’m looking forward to helping York County Shelter Programs grow,” Bonnie says. “The need for agencies such as ours is greater than ever. Homelessness has been increasing, and it is imperative that communities work together to help its residents improve their circumstances.”
She has hit the ground running, with many plans to get the word out to those who may not know the scope of our work. Welcome to YCSP, Bonnie!
March 2022
YCSP Offers Pet Food Pantry
Over the past several months, we have expanded our Food Pantry to include a pantry to assist people who own cats and dogs. We started with the help of a local dog rescue organization - Pittie Posse Rescue & Animal Sanctuary - but now are managing the pantry on our own. We are open on the first Tuesday and the third Friday of every month, 12-2 PM, beside the food pantry at 5 Swetts Bridge Road in Alfred. We distribute food and supplies. The demand has been so great that we often run out, however. The greatest demand is for cat food and kitty litter. If you would like to donate supplies to the pet pantry, contact Food Pantry Coordinator Mike Ouellette at mikeo@ycspi.org ; (207) 324-1137, ext. 103.
February 2022
Free Lunch Program in Sanford
Our free lunch program, held twice a week in Sanford, has been ongoing since 2020. Meals are distributed every Tuesday and Thursday, from 12 PM to 1 PM, from the parking lot next to Roger’s Supa Dolla on Cottage Street in Sanford.
The program was started to fill a need identified by Sanford Police Officer Eric Small, as part of his work as a community outreach officer.
We prepare our meals in the YCSP kitchen in Alfred. We typically distribute about 70 meals.
Over time, we would like to expand the program, if we can raise funding.
July 2020
Spurling Fitness Center Hosts 5K Event
We are honored that Spurling Fitness of Kennebunk has chosen York County Shelter Programs as the nonprofit it is raising funds for through its annual 5K Race. (A 5K is 3.1 miles.) The race will be held August 8 and 9.
This marks the fifth year the personal training gym has organized the event. Its goal is to encourage participants to raise money for a community-based organization. Unlike previous years, however, this year’s event is a “virtual” race, due to COVID-19.
Entrants can walk or run on a treadmill, a favorite nature trail or other course where they can follow the Maine CDC’s recommendations about socially distancing. Participants can run whenever they choose to, over the course of the two days.
The registration is $30. In order to register, and to learn more about the race, visit www.spurlingcharity5k.com. You can also register at https://racewire.com/register.php?id=11451
The Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/spurlingcharity5k
You’ll also find information on the website if you would like to help sponsor this event or volunteer.
Thanks so much, Spurling Fitness! We appreciate your support!
April 2020
YCSP Featured in Journey magazine
We were recently featured in Journey magazine. The article is online at https://www.recovery-journey.com/…/york-county-shelter-pro…/. The magazine, based in Maine, focuses on recovery issues and Maine nonprofits. Thank you, Recovery Journey
March 2020
United Way Gives YCSP Grant of $10,000
We are thrilled to announce that we have recently received a one-year grant of $10,000 from United Way of York County. Half of the grant will go towards YCSP’s Food Pantry; the other half will be used for psychiatric services.
United Way of York County mobilizes people, resources and expertise in order to improve the lives of citizens of York County. Because of the continued support of local individuals, businesses and organizations, this year the United Way is investing in 63 programs that serve children, teens, adult and families.
“Each year we are very proud to invest financial and in-kind resources into high-quality direct services that support York County residents and that align with our strategic priority areas,” said United Way of York County President and CEO Barb Wentworth. “Those areas include providing the best start for our youngest children, increasing access to healthy foods for children and seniors, engaging youth in meaningful service, and meeting basic needs - all critical components of our collective efforts to build an even stronger York County.”
Founded in 1986, United Way of York County turns every dollar contributed back to the community at a value of $4.94. FMI: www.buildcommunity.org or call 207-985-3359.
We are so grateful for United Way’s continued support of our agency!