Shelter offers homeless more than a place to stay
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Being homeless is a difficult situation, leaving those without a home wondering where to turn for help such as housing and what other services may be available. That’s where the staff of Homeless Services of Aroostook comes in, offering not just a warm place to stay but much-needed advice.
According to its mission statement, “Homeless Services of Aroostook, Inc. strives to end homelessness, feed the hungry and assist individuals in pursuing a self-sustaining life.”
Steve Eyler, executive director of HSA, said the three main reasons people find themselves seeking shelter has to do with finances — or lack thereof.
“The top three reasons people seek shelter with us are: poverty – one in three Mainers are at or below the poverty level, unemployment and lack of available jobs and lack of safe and affordable housing,” said Eyler.
During the month of December alone, 30 individuals were provided a place to stay.
“The average length of a stay is 31 days. But individuals can stay as long as they agree to follow our rules and need housing,” said Eyler. “We don’t have a limit. If someone is homeless and we have the space, they’re welcome indefinitely.”
In addition to housing, shelter staff also assist residents in getting to doctor appointments, and encourage them in their pursuit of employment and education.
Eyler said there are rules in place to provide a safe environment for all. The shelter provides services to families and individuals alike. Staff works closely with individuals to ensure needs are met.
“Each individual and family member are assigned a case manager to determine the unique and specific needs each person has. There’s no drinking, no drugs, no weapons and no smoking inside the building. We have six and a half pages of rules and expectations which all can be boiled down to ‘be nice and behave,’” said Eyler.
HSA has transitional apartments where tenants of the shelter can go as they begin to get back on their feet. Three more units were brought back to life through the efforts of volunteers from the Methodist church. Recently refurbished transitional units are already being put to use, he said.
“One of the units the Methodist volunteers worked on is now occupied with a mother and child,” said Eyler.
The shelter, which opened in 1984, has a 30-bed capacity that serves families as well as individuals who are in need of emergency shelter. In addition to a warm place to sleep, shelter residents have access to hot showers, three meals a day and a laundry facility. In 2010, the shelter served 464 people for a total of 6,083 bed nights.
For more information or to make a donation, call 764-5114 or visit 745 Central Drive in Presque Isle.
