Community Assistance
H.O.M.E., Inc. has many programs designed to assist folks with the basic necessities of life. Food, clothing, hygiene supplies, school supplies and more.
H.O.M.E. Retail
H.O.M.E.'s gift shop, thrift store and sawmill generate a small income for H.O.M.E. while providing gifts, shingles, lumber and basic home items to our community.
Homeless Services
H.O.M.E.'s Homeless services include: Diversion, which aims to prevent homelessness prior to entering shelter, Emergency overnight shelter across four locations, and Housing Navigation which exists to assist shelter guests with finding permanent, stable housing.
H.O.M.E. Inc. has been selected as a
2022 Bezos Day 1 Families Fund award recipient!
We’re proud to be among the 40 organizations across the country to be recognized this year by an independent advisory group of homelessness experts for making measurable progress on family homelessness in our community. We plan to use this generous $600.000 investment to develop a Homeless Family Outreach program and acquire a multi-unit building to serve as permanent supportive housing for families experiencing homelessness. As we continue to help families navigate through an uncertain economy, we’re especially grateful for the Day 1 Families Fund’s support, which will allow us to double down on our work to serve and provide stability for families in our community.
If you didn’t know, Here’s a bit about us.
H.O.M.E., Inc. was founded in 1970 by Sr. Lucy Poulin (pictured with a group of young volunteers) and other community members. In the beginning, handcraft studios were created as a means for low-income families in rural Hancock County to earn extra income through hard Maine winters. Community members produced items from their homes to sell at the Craft Store which is located on H.O.M.E.’s 23-acre site in Orland and that program continues on today. Now, more than 50 years later, needs of local citizens have led to programs of service tailored to respond in positive and effective outcomes, i.e. shelters for those experiencing homelessness, affordable daycare, organic gardens, a food pantry and soup kitchen, plus programs to support a house construction and repair effort that has built 53 homes for low-income families.
- Shelter
- Soup Kitchen
- Food Pantry
- Child Care
- Diversion Assistance
Our FaceBook Feed…
H.O.M.E. Inc
If you see our program coordinator, Julie Bard Ream around and wonder why she has a permanent smile this week...it's the kick off of volunteer See More
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FOOD RESCUE Did you know H.O.M.E. has a food rescue program in Ellsworth and Bucksport? Food rescue is the process of safely recovering excess food See More
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H.O.M.E. Inc. –is seeking volunteer board members. Check out this great opportunity to give back to your community by joining H.O.M.E. Inc.’s Board of Directors! See More
H.O.M.E. Inc
Today H.O.M.E.’s Wood Bank was awarded $13,000 to purchase a wood splitter and items to help meet the heating needs of needy households in Orland, See More
H.O.M.E. Inc
Two belated thank you's!!! Thank you to the Next Generation Foundation for selecting H.O.M.E. to be a recipient of the Evie award in recognition of See More
H.O.M.E. Inc
WARMING CENTERS FOR THIS WEEKEND BUCKSPORT - ORLAND - H.O.M.E. 's Warming Center serves Bucksport and Orland and surrounding towns and will be open all See More
H.O.M.E. Inc
Wood Bank reminder for the upcoming -20 temps ... If you are on limited income and are in need of firewood to stay warm, please See More
H.O.M.E. Inc
Did you know H.O.M.E. has a licensed daycare center and afterschool program? This week we learned our Childcare Director, Christina Witham has been selected to See More
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“Housing really is the foundation for health and well-being,”
Providing housing to people who are chronically homeless, and women who are pregnant or who have a newborn child, is particularly important.
Program Numbers 2022
Shelter and Housing
- 9780 bed nights provided – 202 guests were sheltered
- Dorr House Men’s Shelter – 23 guests – 39% exited to permanent housing
- Sister Marie House – 43 guests – 16% exited to permanent housing
- St. Francis Inn – 49 guests – 24% exited to permanent housing
- Emmaus Homeless Shelter – 87 guests – 22% exited to permanent housing
- 10 households provided hotel rooms
- 18 households housed in H.O.M.E.’s rental units.
- 48 individuals diverted from homelessness.
- 48 days average shelter stay.
Food and Resources
- 71 children provided with backpacks and school supplies
- 459 individuals received Christmas gifts
- 16 unduplicated daycare enrollments – 1 subsidies provided
- Food boxes distributed to 1976 individuals across 721 families
- 171 families received Thanksgiving food boxes
- 73 families received Christmas food boxes
- 118,180 pounds of food rescued and distributed
- 448 individuals received assistance with linens, hygiene supplies, and household supplies
- 20 families received heat assistance in the form of firewood
- 85 quilts made for shelter guests
Become a Volunteer
H.O.M.E. provides volunteer opportunities in many departments. From sorting donations to stacking firewood there is something for every skill level here at H.O.M.E., Inc.
