Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter Inc

ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN MAINE, ONE PERSON, ONE FAMILY, AND ONE CHILD AT A TIME.

TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT/HOUSING NAVIGATION-TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT AND HOUSING NAVIGATION ARE PROVIDED TO ALL CURRENT SHELTER GUESTS AS WELL AS MANY FORMER SHELTER GUESTS. OUR SYSTEM EMPLOYS A TARGETED CASE MANAGER AND A HOUSING NAVIGATOR TO EACH GUEST AT THE SHELTER. THE TCM ASSISTING WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL HEALTH, BENEFITS, EMPLOYMENT, FINANCES, ETC. AND THE HOUSING NAVIGATOR FOCUSES ON ASSISTING WITH HOUSING BENEFITS, LANDLORD RELATIONSHIPS, HOUSING SEARCHES, AND HOUSING STABILITY.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUPPORTS (YES)-THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUPPORTS PROGRAM (YES) IS FOR YOUTH (AGES 18-24) WHO ARE HOMELESS OR WHO ARE IN DANGER OF BECOMING HOMELESS. WE SERVE LOWER- TO NO-INCOME INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WE HAVE PROVIDED YOUTH WITH CLEAN, SAFE, AND STABLE HOUSING FOR FOUR YEARS NOW. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL GOALS RELATED TO EDUCATION AND WORK. WE ALSO WANT TO SEE THEM SHOWING TENANT RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND CARE OF THE UNIT. EACH YES TENANT HAS AN APARTMENT IN WHICH THEY RESIDE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE MMHSS FACILITY IN WATERVILLE. TENANTS ARE PROVIDED WITH AN ONSITE, FULL-TIME, TARGETED CASE MANAGER AND A YOUTH RESIDENT SPECIALIST. YES PARTICIPANTS LEARN AND GROW THROUGH THE PROGRAM UNTIL THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO SUCCEED IN LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY. MANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS GO ON TO ACHIEVE HIGHER EDUCATION GOALS, AS WELL AS CAREER GOALS.

EMERGENCY SHELTER-OUR 19 COLBY ST LOCATION HAS BEEN LOW BARRIER SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC AND REMAINS SO TODAY. A LOW BARRIER SHELTER IS A SHELTER THAT HAS VERY LITTLE TO NO REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY, INCLUDING SOBRIETY, DRUG USE, AND CONVICTIONS. LOW BARRIER SHELTERS ARE PREFERRED BY HUD AND ARE CONSIDERED BEST PRACTICE FOR SHELTER PROVISION. OUR 19 COLBY ST LOCATION IS A 48 BED SHELTER. WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE WAY WE PROVIDE LOW BARRIER SHELTER AND ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON A HARM REDUCTION AND TRAUMA INFORMED SUPPORTS. THIS PAST WINTER, DUE TO GREAT NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY WE OPENED A WARMING CENTER, SERVICED BY SHELTER STAFF WHILE MAINTAINING OUR LOW BARRIER SHELTER. THE WARMING CENTER HOUSED 2 TO 15 GUESTS IN OUR CONFERENCE ROOM, LOBBY, AND OFFICE SPACES ON A NIGHTLY BASIS.

DIVERSION PROGRAM-OUR DIVERSION PROGRAM IS AN EFFECTIVE METHOD OF HOMELESS PREVENTION COMPRISED OF IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE WITH PROBLEM SOLVING THE IMMINENT LOSS OF STABLE HOUSING. IN MANY CASES THIS MAY INCLUDE GUIDANCE AND OR MEDIATION WITH LANDLORDS, REFERRALS TO LEGAL RESOURCES, TRADITIONAL BENEFITS, FAMILY INTERVENTIONS, AND CASE MANAGEMENT. DIVERSION MAY ALSO INCLUDE A SHORT BURST OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT CAN KEEP A HOUSEHOLD HOUSED SUCH AS ONE TIME RENT PAYMENTS, BILL PAYMENTS, ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSEHOLD GROCERIES, AMONG OTHER NEEDS.