notes from shaker hill, #20, january 2024
We’re Celebrating 45 Years
Happy Anniversary to us - this month marks 45 years since York County Shelter Programs opened its doors.
In 1979, the shelter was at the former county jail on Route 111 in Alfred. It was originally created as a shelter for alcoholic men; it was a place to find a bed and have a simple meal. Over time, especially under the leadership of former Executive Director Don Gean, who served from 1985-2014, the shelter evolved into an agency that provided far more than emergency shelter for men, women and families.
In those early years, with assistance from the Brothers of Christian Instruction, our neighbors on Shaker Hill, YCSP was able to move to Shaker Hill and improve its accommodations and expand its services. For years now we have been offering treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues; we connect people to other community resources such as medical and dental care and social service programs. Most of all - we help people find permanent housing.
Highlights include opening a family shelter in Sanford, creating a food pantry that is the largest in York County, acquiring apartments that we rent to former residents, opening a residential substance abuse treatment center, and offering free community meals in Sanford. Prior to COVID, we operated a retreat center. Over the years we also acquired a used bookstore in Sanford - Books ReVisited - and we operate a bakery and catering service (Shaker Hill Bakery & Catering), all of which provide revenue for YCSP. Most recently, we have opened a warming center in Sanford.
It’s also notable that in 2019, Don Gean’s daughter, Megan Gean-Gendron, assumed the role of Executive Director. Not long after she started, she was tasked with navigating the pandemic - not easy to do when overseeing essential services like ours. COVID is not over yet, and Megan has continued to make sure that YCSP is a safe place for residents and staff. She also is dealing with the fact that today, YCSP is needed more than ever, with homelessness continually increasing during these turbulent times.
We couldn’t be doing this work without the generous support of the people, businesses and organizations of York County - and beyond. We are so grateful to our donors, who have been solidly behind us for decades. We also have been blessed with volunteers who help us in innumerable ways.
As we embark upon our 45th year, we vow to continue to look for ways to help those in need.
notes from shaker hill, #19, November 2023
A Moment of Giving Thanks
As Thanksgiving approaches we would like express our gratitude to those who gave us much needed help as we prepared to assemble Thanksgiving meal boxes at our Food Pantry.
Between the rising cost of food and the increased need in our communities, we were in need of Thanksgiving food, especially turkeys. We expect to give out about 1000 boxes; one box feeds four.
Posting about our need on Facebook resulted in many donations, including money/gift cards and frozen turkeys. A local group, the Waterboro Eagles, assembled seven complete meals. Many individuals took the time to drive to the pantry with their offerings. We also were helped by those who attended our annual Harvest Dance, which is a fundraiser/”food raiser” for the Thanksgiving meal program.
As a result of community support, our shelves were stocked and ready for our distribution Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, just prior to Thanksgiving.
We also would like to express our gratitude to all of those who support our agency’s central mission to help people who are homeless. The need for our services has never been greater. We deeply appreciate the compassion and generosity of those who help us help others.
notes from shaker hill, #18, july 2o23
Homelessness - A Crisis that Keeps Worsening
At a recent Sanford City Council meeting, the police department’s community outreach officer reported making contact with 122 people in the city who are unhoused. Last year, the total number was 107.
National research indicates that the numbers of people living in their cars has increased dramatically. Many of these people hold jobs. Surveys also reveal that nearly 50% of people earning “working wages” cannot afford the cost of a one-bedroom apartment. At our own shelter, we are assisting people who have jobs but cannot find an affordable place to live.
Meanwhile, brutal summer weather is making life even more miserable for those without a place to call home. Here in Maine, we are blessed not to have been hit by life-threatening heatwaves, so far. However, the unceasing rain is a hardship for people living outdoors.
What can be done to help homeless people? The long view is that things will not get better until runaway inflation is stopped, until consumer prices are lowered and wages increased.
We need to elect people at all levels of government - or run for those seats ourselves - who will work on homelessness. People who will support efforts to create affordable housing. Encourage new construction and renovation projects of existing structures - and petition for increased government subsidies to make those things happen. Implement and enforce sanctions against slumlords. Implement rent control laws. Increase community social services. Support increases in minimum wages.
This has to happen now.
It is the middle of July, and Sanford’s homeless population already exceeds last year’s. And for all the people identified by local officials - it’s a safe bet that there are dozens more who are living, undetected, in the huge, abandoned mills and the thick woods that thread through and around the city.
Everyone deserves a safe place to live.
Notes From shaker hill, #17, may 2023
It’s Time for Solutions
Homelessness in this country has reached a crisis point.
Shelters are full. The lack of affordable housing is leaving people homeless - and it is also making it impossible for people to transition from homeless shelters to permanent housing.
As a result, homeless encampments have reached record numbers. And the response to these encampments by municipal officials and community members is mostly negative. Understandably so where there are problems with waste management, trash and drug-related issues such as discarded needles.
The answer, until recently, has been to tell residents to go elsewhere, with officials then clearing out all that is left behind. The problem with telling residents to find other housing is that there is no room in emergency shelters. Also, some residents have mental health issues that prevent them from seeking out city-run emergency shelters.
The Portland Press Herald recently ran an editorial that says that people must think out of the box in order to solve this crisis. Obviously, one solution is for municipalities to build more shelters and for lawmakers to pass bills that will allocate money for shelters and also for affordable housing construction or renovations.
In the meantime - one possibility that some cities are now considering is to sanction camping areas for people. And bring in bathrooms, water, showers, medical tents and social services to these sites. This would not be a long-term solution, especially in cold climates - but it would work for a good while. Private individuals can also make their land available for this use. Another option is to consider fixing up abandoned buildings such as college dormitories. Lastly, some people are suggesting creating tiny house villages.
It just shows that there are possibilities out there and it is time for officials to start acting on them. It is also important for citizens to get involved in letting officials know that expect action.
This is not a problem that is just going to go away. In fact, it will worsen, based on current conditions in the United States. Other countries - Finland, Denmark, for example - have handled homelessness with an attitude of “Housing First,” which means they ensure that all citizens, no matter their economic status or their job status, are housed in safe and comfortable quarters. We have a lot to learn from them.
notes from shaker hill, #16, February 2023
Weathering the Maine Winter
We recently experienced a true sense of community when we were hit by record-setting cold temperatures. During this cold snap, temperatures plummeted to -40 degrees and below here in southern Maine.
Before the cold arrived, YCSP and other local agencies collaborated on operating overnight warming shelters. Many people, businesses and organizations turned out to offer assistance. Here in Alfred, we also had an open door policy for anyone needing a warm place to shelter.
This is the kind of support that is critical in helping those who are most vulnerable. Actionable help. Hands-on. Immediate.
York County Shelter Programs has been blessed with steady support from nearby communities since we first opened our doors in 1979. Today, our community of supporters is nationwide.
Our donors have enabled us to be an agency that can mobilize quickly in situations like the one we just faced. They have also allowed us to be an agency that offers a comprehensive range of services to help people get on their feet, stabilize their lives, and find a permanent home. We also operate a residential recovery center and a food pantry that feeds more than 4000 people every month.
The severity of a Maine weather truly illuminates the precarious existence that homeless people are experiencing. It also reveals what we can do when social services agencies and community members come together to help others. It’s a mindset that is needed every day - no matter the season.
Notes from shaker hill, #15, january 2023
Forty Four Years of Service
It’s another anniversary for York County Shelter Programs! This month marks 44 years since we first opened our doors.
In 1979, the shelter was at the former county jail in on Route 111 in Alfred. It was primarily created as a shelter for alcoholic men. It was a place to find a bed and have a simple meal.
Over time, especially under the leadership of former Executive Director Don Gean, who served from 1985-2014, the shelter evolved into an agency that provided far more than emergency shelter for men, women and families.
In those early years, with assistance from the Brothers of Christian Instruction, our neighbors on Shaker Hill, YCSP was able to move to Shaker Hill and improve its accommodations and expand its services. We offer treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues; we connect people to other community resources such as medical and dental care and social service programs.
Highlights include opening a family shelter in Sanford, creating a food pantry that is the largest in York County, acquiring apartments that we rent to former residents, opening a residential treatment center, and offering free community meals in Sanford. Prior to COVID, we, operated a retreat center. Over the years we also acquired a used bookstore in Sanford - Books ReVisited - and we operate a bakery and catering service (Shaker Hill Bakery & Catering), all of which provide revenue for YCSP.
It’s also notable that in 2019, Don Gean’s daughter, Megan Gean-Gendron, assumed the role of Executive Director. Not long after she started, she was tasked with navigating the pandemic - not easy to do when overseeing essential services like ours. COVID is not over yet, and Megan has continued to make sure that YCSP is a safe place for residents and staff. She also has ensured that that YCSP continues to provide the comprehensive set of services that people need.
Today, YCSP is needed more than ever, with homelessness increasing during these turbulent times.
Please know that we couldn’t be doing this work without the generous support of the people, businesses and organizations of York County - and places beyond. We are so grateful to our donors, who have been solidly behind us for decades. We also have been blessed with volunteers who help us in innumerable ways.
Here’s to another year of compassionate service to those who need us.
notes from shaker hill, #14, December 2022
One Person At A Time
An article about a Hollywood director and filmmaker who reached out to help a homeless woman is a powerful example of how some problems can be helped one person at a time.
In the late 1990s, Zach Galifianakis was a struggling actor living in Santa Monica, when he met a woman, Mimi, who was living in the laundromat across the street from the coffee shop where he was working.
After getting divorced, Mimi, at the age of 50, had been living in a van. When the van broke down, she convinced the laundromat owner to let her sleep at night in a lawn chair placed between two of the machines.
Zach had become friends with Mimi, who assisted people with their laundry. When Zach eventually began to make good money as a director and filmmaker, he got Mimi a comfortable apartment. He paid for it for 27 years, until Mimi’s death last year. She was 95.
If every person who had the means to help others on that level extended himself/herself, a lot of people would no longer be homeless.
Yes, local, state and federal governments need to be addressing homelessness and the lack of affordable housing that is driving up the numbers of homeless people.
And agencies are needed to help with the many issues that often accompany homelessness.
But just imagine what a different world it would be if people simply helped people on a direct level. It would make a huge difference.
Kudos to the the Zachs of the world who saw a person who needed help and then simply gave it.
notes from shaker hill, #13, October 2022
According to a recent WMTW news story, the number of homeless people in Maine doubled in 2021 over the previous year. It’s expected that those numbers are going to dramatically increase again for 2022.
A recent article in the Sanford-Springvale News reflects this awful reality.
It was reported that at this time in 2021, the Sanford school district reported 22 homeless students. One year later, that number has increased to 40. Three of the students are “unaccompanied youth,” which means they are not in the physical custody of parents or legal guardians. The school department is working to help them.
Homelessness is a national crisis. It needs to be addressed on federal, state and local levels. Homelessness is on the rise because people simply cannot afford housing. So, solving it is not just about giving someone a place to sleep. It is about FIXING the societal issues that cause people to be homeless and it is about helping people with any/all other issues that led to becoming homeless. It is ultimately about offering compassion for all.
What can people do to help?
You can make donations and offer hands-on support to local shelters. You can contact legislators to let them know we want changes made that will help people attain permanent shelter. Changes that: increase wages, increase social services and make them more accessible, increase the types and numbers of resources that people who are struggling can access, increase community outreach efforts to people who do not have shelter and who are resistant to going into a shelter for a number of reasons. Also, there needs to be more funding of homeless shelters, more construction of homeless shelters and more affordable housing options.
We have a long way to go to make this a country where EVERYONE has a place where they can live safely, comfortably and affordably. To all of you who support York County Shelter Programs - thank you for supporting our efforts to do everything we can to help the homeless members of our community.
notes from shaker hill, #12, September 2022
We have recently said goodbye to three women who had volunteered at York County Shelter Programs.
Marge Lewis, who has worked at our bookstore Books ReVisited for 22 years, decided to retire at the age of 94.
Carolyn Harada, who worked at the Food Pantry for several years, and Connie Canney, who started volunteering at Layman Way as a visiting artist at the age of 90, have both recently passed away.
These volunteers endeared themselves to all they encountered. They expressed joy about the opportunity to give to others. They were greatly appreciated and will be deeply missed.
As a nonprofit organization, we are quite reliant on volunteer help. Fortunately, there is a great community spirit in York County, and we have many helping hands. Our volunteers help with maintenance work, office work, in the dining hall, the food pantry, the bakery, the garden, Layman Way Recovery Center, the meals kitchen. They give rides to residents who have appointments.
We want to express our gratitude to all of the people who have given us a hand over the past 44 years.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at info@ycspi.org.
notes from shaker hill, #11, July 2022
Our gardens are flourishing, thanks to great weather and especially thanks to the tending they receive from volunteers, residents and staff.
The gardens - 10 raised beds - were a gift to us last year from a donor who wanted to make a donation in memory of his wife. The beds were erected near our bakery. It wasn’t long before we were harvesting lettuce and peas. It was an incredibly bountiful season. We’re hoping for the same results this year! The harvested food goes to our dining hall, which serves the residents and YCSP employees. Some of the fresh produce also goes to our food pantry.
Last year we also received chickens and a coop from another donor. The eggs are taken to our dining hall.
As gifts go, we are especially grateful for a donation that “keeps on giving.” The gardens remind us about what can happen when a seed is planted and tended to. With focused care, our gardens may even exceed our hopes.
Hope is what our agency is based on. We try to infuse all our residents with a sense of hopefulness that will help them move forward and improve their circumstances. We believe that focused care, which includes availing people of the tools and support they need, will help people grow - and blossom - and flourish.
NOTes FROm ShAker Hill, #10, MARCH 2021
Just taking a moment to note that 2021 marks York County Shelter Programs’ 42nd year in existence.
In 1979, 56 York County residents signed on as incorporators to start our organization. The shelter started in the former county jail on Route 111. The jail had just been closed, and was in rough shape.
(For a look at our history, visit our website - https://www.yorkcountyshelterprograms.com/our-history )
The important thing is that over the course of 42 years, YCSP evolved from being only an emergency shelter to a place that helps people get on their feet. For almost 30 years, YCSP grew tremendously under the leadership of former Executive Director Don Gean. Don retired in 2014. Just over a year ago, his daughter Megan Gean-Gendron became our Executive Director, and our agency continues to grow.
We have an adult shelter on Shaker Hill and a family shelter in Sanford. We provide services and access to services that help people address issues that may have led to homelessness. We offer therapy, job training, access to permanent housing – and more. Our services include Layman Way Recovery Center, a residential addiction treatment center; Notre Dame Spiritual Center, where we offer retreats (closed for now, due to the pandemic); the largest food pantry in York County at 5 Swetts Bridge Road in Alfred; and a free meals kitchen offered twice-weekly in Sanford. We raise money through our popular seasonal bakery, our annual Apple Festival (cancelled last year due to the pandemic), and our bookstore, Books ReVisited, on Main Street in Sanford. We are hoping that we will be able to revive our seasonal public dinners, Mama Mia’s, in some form this summer.
Our donors – many in our communities – many who live “away”- help keep us going. And so do our committed staff and dozens of volunteers always ready to lend a hand. Thanks to all of you for allowing us to continue our mission of bringing hope to those who need it most.
Notes from Shaker Hill #9 AUGUST 2020
Some great things have been happening this summer.
In July, we partnered with the Calvary Baptist Church in Sanford and the Sanford Police Department to provide a free lunch program. Every Tuesday and Thursday, from 12-1 PM, we serve lunch at the church’s former Christian Academy, at 62 High Street. Volunteers from the church are there to greet people. Also there is Sanford PD office Eric Small, who came up with the idea. Eric does outreach to the homeless population Sanford. There are dozens of people who live in the woods and abandoned buildings, not far from High Street. And there even more who have apartments and homes but need help with the basics. Such as food.
In just a few weeks, word has spread, and we went from serving about 30 people to over 70. People can eat in the air-conditioned dining room or they can take their meal to go. A typical meal includes something hearty, such as meatloaf, pulled pork or spaghetti, along with potatoes, salad, rolls, fruit, dessert and water.
What’s awful is that there are so many people who are in need. What’s good is that this community is responding and trying to help. In time, we hope to offer a free meal five days a week in the Sanford-Springvale area.
Ideally, we would not have to offer this. Everyone would have a place to call home. Everyone would be able to buy the food they need. Until that day comes, we will continue to provide help in the best way possible.
Please spread the word.
Notes from Shaker Hill, #8, APRIL 2020
Thankful for those who Help us Help Others
As the pandemic continues, more people are facing economic hardships. This means there is more demand on social services. Homelessness is on the rise. The need for food is greater.
We are grateful that here at York County Shelter Programs our committed staff has ensured the safety of our residents. To date, we have had no cases of COVID-19.
We are also grateful for the strong support our Food Pantry has received. Due to donations of money and food, we have kept our shelves stocked.
One of the most amazing donations we received was 23 pallets of food from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, produces and distributes food nationwide to food banks. We received nonperishable staples such as flour, sugar, pasta and canned goods. Our neighbor, Gile’s Family Farm in Alfred, helped us unload the truck, with Steve Gile assisting us with his tractor.
We also have been assisted by our partner Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn, which, in May, delivered 10,000 lbs. of food to our Food Services department, which is responsible for feeding our residents. The delivery included chicken, fish and produce.
We are also helped by the efforts of individuals who go out of their way to take food to our pantry. One of our volunteers built a donation box outside of the pantry, and often our Food Pantry Coordinator Mike Ouellette arrives to find a bag or two of donations. It all adds up.
Thanks to all of you who help us with our mission. In the still challenging days ahead, we will continue to be here for those who need us. It feels more important than ever to be aware of what our community members need.
Notes from Shaker Hill, #7 MARCH 2020
StayinG Strong, when Life Presents Challenges
What an unprecedented time this has been.
York County Shelter Programs is an essential service, and as such, we began taking precautions very early when COVID-19 hit the United States. We followed the protocols set forth by Gov. Janet Mills and the Maine Center for Disease Control.
We continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of our residents and staff.
We closed our facilities to all but staff and residents, and we screen those who leave and re-enter the campus. The same precautions are taken at Layman Way Recovery Center, our family shelter in Sanford and at our Food Pantry.
People need us now more than ever. With difficult economic times, we expect to see an increase in homelessness. We have already seen increased numbers at our food pantry.
In many ways we are blessed because we have staff and volunteers who come to work every day and give their all. Increased food donations are helping us keep the pantry stocked. We would appreciate any donations of nonperishable food items, however. We have a donation box outside the pantry; otherwise, you can make arrangements with Food Pantry Coordinator Mike Ouellette at mikeo@ycspi.org or 207-391-3125.
If you would like to make a donation to YCSP at this time, you can do so on this website or through our Facebook page. You can also send a check to YCSP at 24 George Road, Alfred, ME 04002.
We will all get through this crisis. Meanwhile, please know we are making the safety of our residents and our staff and volunteers our first priority.
Thanks, all, for your continued support.
Notes from Shaker Hill, #6 FEBRuary 2020
A Place to Turn, When There is NowHere to Go
Hello, from Shaker Hill! My name is Nancy McCallum, and I am the marketing and communications specialist for YCSP. I have been assisting the shelter for just over a year. It’s been a fantastic experience.
The reasons I sought to work here include a personal experience.
I know someone who once turned to YCSP when she felt she had nowhere else to turn. I’d had no idea of the suffering she was enduring in an abusive marriage. I had known her for many years, but I truly had not known what her life was really like.
When I met her on the street one day, she told me she had gone to the shelter when her marriage had ended. As is the case in many abusive relationships, she had, over time, been cut off from support systems, including her own family. When she left her marriage, she literally had NOWHERE to go for support.
She went to the shelter. She arrived there feeling like she had nothing except a car with some possessions and a life filled with pain.
At YCSP, she received help in healing from emotional and psychological wounds. She had become so fragile over the years, she thought she could not work. She also had turned to alcohol to self-medicate. She felt stuck, trapped, hopeless.
She got better. So much better that in a few months she found a job she enjoyed, as well as affordable housing - which is one of YCSP’s primary goals. She had gone to counseling and she also had stopped drinking.
While at work she met a man she eventually married. He asked her to work in his business with him, and she now has a partnership she treasures. He works in the trades; she runs the office, but also accompanies him on some jobs and says she loves feeling healthy, physically strong, and capable of participating in the business. When I see her now, I am reminded of the power that comes from caring. YCSP extended a hand to her when she needed it most. YCSP’s tag line is “Hope Starts Here.” And I saw that with my own eyes.
It means a lot to me to write about all the work YCSP does to help others. YCSP changes lives. Hope does start here.
Notes from Shaker Hill, #5 JANUARY 2020
By Clay Graybeal, President of York County Shelter Programs’ Board of Directors
YCSP Welcomes New Leadership As It Looks Ahead to 2020
Hello everyone,
My name is Clay Graybeal, and I serve as President of the Board for York County Shelter Programs. YCSP has undergone major changes this year, including the resignation of our former Executive Director. For a brief period, I served as the interim Executive Director. While it was a very busy month, and a steep learning curve, I was provided with a unique opportunity to get to know the remarkable staff and clients of the organization, and to understand in a much deeper and meaningful way the critical role that YCSP plays in the health and security of so many citizens of York County.
During those few weeks, I met with state representatives, Alfred selectmen, bankers, code officers, former and current residents, and directors of other community-based agencies. What has impressed me throughout this experience is the incredible goodwill and support for the work of YCSP evidenced by everyone I met. All understand the importance that food, shelter, and mental health and substance use services play in the overall health of our community. I also had the opportunity to work closely with the agency staff, many of whom have worked tirelessly for years (and some for decades,) with extraordinary dedication to the shelter’s mission.
In an extraordinary stroke of good timing, the ideal candidate for the role of Executive Director happened to be available, and we were able to appoint her immediately. Megan Gean-Gendron comes to the Shelter with years of prior service in multiple roles within the agency, augmented by recent years as a political consultant and fundraiser. Her knowledge of housing policies and state politics, along with numerous connections to the local community, make her a great fit. She has stepped into the role with infectious energy and enthusiasm, and we anticipate great things in the coming months and years.
The Board of Directors is currently comprised of myself, Roger Prince, Sharon Secovich, Jim Frechette, Lindsey Partridge, and Brother Jerome Lessard. In the coming months we will be working closely with Megan to increase funding, recruit new board members, explore new opportunities for collaboration, and to enhance and improve partnerships with the community and local agencies.
Please keep an eye out for new editions of this blog. We will keep you posted on new developments and opportunities, and above all, our efforts to reduce homelessness and hunger in York County.
Notes from Shaker Hill #4 NOVEMBER 2019
By Nancy McCallum, Communications Specialist at York County Shelter Programs
Shaker Hill is an Extraordinary place - It has been home to Several Communities seeking solace
People often comment on the uplifting energies they feel atop Shaker Hill, York County Shelter Programs’ home in Alfred, Maine.
This hill is one of several in Alfred that signals a changing terrain; to the east is a flat coastal plain stretching to the Atlantic; to the west, Maine’s mountainous area.
Perhaps it was the energy of this beautiful place - with fields, forests, apple orchards and views of the surrounding hills - that attracted the Shakers here in 1793. Here they created Maine’s first and largest Shaker community and thrived for almost 140 years. And perhaps the Shakers - who sought a life of harmony and simplicity - contributed to the spiritual energies of the land, as they revered nature.
In 1931 the Shakers sold their properties to another group who believed in a life of simplicity and spirituality - the Brothers of Christian Instruction. During the 1980s, as the Brothers’ community began to grow smaller, they extended affordable leasing options to the new York County Shelter organization. Because of them, YCSP was able to create an emergency shelter and permanent housing options for formerly homeless people. We moved our offices here, re-opened the bakery, and started the first food pantry here.
Shaker Hill has provided solace to three different communities. Today Shaker Hill is a blend of these communities. Several of the original Shaker buildings are still intact; one houses a Shaker museum, open seasonally. (alfredshakermuseum.com). Some of the Brothers are still living here; they hold Mass at the Notre Dame Chapel on Shaker Hill. Brother Ted serves as a mentor for the Notre Dame Spiritual Center, where retreats are held. (maineretreatcenter.org.)
And we continue to extend support and services to people needing help in finding a place they can call home. We are grateful to do our work in a beautiful place that perhaps offers extra solace to those who come here.
Notes from Shaker Hill #3. OCTOBER 2019
By Nancy McCallum, Communications Specialist at York County Shelter Programs
Change the holiday paradigm. Make it about others.
As we move towards the holidays, some of us just go into “automatic pilot” and do the same things we do every year. We worry about preparing meals, buying the right gifts, decorating the house, connecting to relatives we don’t see much of during the year.
What if we changed everything up? Scaled back on the food, the gifts, the rush to make everything the way you think it is supposed to be.
The holidays are a great time to downshift - to rest, to watch those movies you have wanted to see. To go outside and take nature photos. This is also a good time of the year to be grateful for what you have. It is a time for reflection, too. You may not have everything you need for your life to be working well for you - so, as January 1 approaches, imagine yourself taking steps to make changes to improve your life.
If your life is one of abundance, this is also a time to figure out how you can give to others. So many helping agencies, such as York County Shelter Programs, would appreciate a regular cash donation and/or helping hands. You can also open your eyes to those who are right in front of you, and may be in need. An elderly neighbor who lives alone. A neighbor with a house that needs painting. A child who could use a tutor.
We hope you will look forward to this holiday season! It is a great opportunity to give to others and experience true joy.
Notes from Shaker Hill. #2 MAY 2019
By Bob Dawber, former YCSP CEO
Mental Illness DEBiliTATES PEOPLE. And Is Often NOT Understood.
During the 1980s-1990s, cyclist Rebecca Twigg of Seattle was a force. She won six world championships and medaled in two Olympics.
Today, Rebecca, who is 56, is homeless in Seattle. She has been homeless for five years. She stays in city shelters. I read an interview with her in the Seattle Times; reporter Scott Greenstone said in a preface that Rebecca wanted to share her story because she wants people to know how someone can end up being homeless. She believes that too many people think the homeless population is primarily made up of people who are substance abusers. She wants people to understand that there other reasons.
Rebecca was not a stranger to homelessness. When she was 15, she left her mother’s home under difficult circumstances and began a transient life. At that time, she was also training in earnest, so she had a focus, and a large network of people she could stay with – friends, fellow athletes, trainers.
In 1996, she quit the team while at the Olympics in Atlanta. She learned to be a computer programmer and started a job.
What happened for Rebecca over the years is that she found that she could not handle steady employment. She struggled with anxiety and depression, which worsened when she felt a job was too demanding. At age 50, after being fired from an IT job, she gave up trying to fit into the working world. She now spends her times in shelters. She is doing the best she can.
The reason I am reflecting on this story is that I am touched by Rebecca’s willingness to share her story. And the cold truth is, that while she may be doing the best she can – there are those who will not understand. They cannot understand how someone could go from being a high-achieving, successful athlete to someone who cannot hold a job.
The point is, you can never truly know how another person feels. What I have learned from my years in social services is that the best thing one human can say to another is: “I hear you. I see you. And I understand that you are doing the best you can.” Compassion, not judgment, is more likely to help another person.
Mental health is a complex and fragile entity. Some people will never get better. They are unable to accept help. For every homeless person who gets to our shelter – there are countless others living on the streets or in the woods who cannot avail him or herself of help. It is the best that a person can do.
If you know someone who is homeless, let them know about us, or call us, at 207.324.1137.
Notes from Shaker Hill. #1 MARCH 2019
By Bob Dawber, former YCSP CEO
York County Shelter Programs Has Been Helping People for 40 Years
This year makes 40 years since the York County Shelter Programs was created. In 1979, 56 people in Alfred came together to incorporate a non-profit that would use the abandoned jail on Route 111 as a shelter for anyone without a home. The organization was incorporated as the York County Alcoholism Shelter, as that is what community members perceived as the population who were living on the streets, in abandoned buildings, in cars, in the woods.
Over time, this program has expanded tremendously, because it soon became evident to its founders that homelessness does NOT solely afflict people suffering from substance abuse.
I am proud to be leading an organization that, today, is far more than just a shelter. We help people look at the issues that resulted in homelessness – and our goal is to help people resolve the problems that prevent them from living independent, safe and healthy lives.
I have been working for YCSP since 2011. I became the Chief Executive Officer in 2014. The reason I love my job and this work is quite simple: Every day I see that we are helping people. EVERY DAY. Nothing matters more. NOTHING.
I am so proud of the efforts, the determination, the compassion of YCSP staff members who work with people living with incredibly debilitating circumstances. One by one, we address each piece. We offer support, resources, treatment for mental health issues and substance abuse. But what I learned early on when I started working for this program is that what lies beneath all of what we do is something that perhaps helps our residents more than anything. We offer hope. As we say, HOPE STARTS HERE.
Forty years of helping people is an incredible legacy. And what I know about this agency is that every passing year we are only more committed and determined to being there for the people who need us. Our neighbors. Our people. Last year, we helped more than 700 people at our shelters. We also provided food for 20,000 people at our food pantry.
Here’s to 40 more years. At least.