Thank You Story
Work Of York County Shelter Programs, Inc. Is Appreciated
For some people it could prove difficult to grasp how changes in the normal routine
of daily living in an individual’s life could be so dramatic in a period of just two years. York County Shelter Programs, Inc. resident, Bob, made it clear in his initial conversation that “If it weren’t for the York County Shelter, I most probably would not be alive today.” The York County Shelter welcomed him and provided him with a home that lent direction and guidance and encouragement towards radically different choices in his way of living during a time when he was in a dire state of health and without any other options for assistance.
At the present time, Bob is feeling great and doing exceptionally well. He is eating properly again and taking care of himself. He is living with three other individuals in
Sanford in a substance-free residential home owned and operated by the York County
Shelter Programs, Inc. All the occupants of the home have expressed their gratitude to the York County Shelter for providing an opportunity that changed their lives. They have become active in an advocacy group and frequently attend regional council meetings that advocate for the homeless in various locations throughout the area.
For over thirty-five years, Bob dealt with the challenges of alcohol dependency. His first encounter with alcohol, at the age of ten, occurred when he and another youngster
experimented with wine that they found in church. In a reflection of the many drinking years that followed, Bob explained how, whenever he got in trouble in his life, it was
related to his drinking. He actually made an attempt to quit drinking and save his marriage about twenty-five years ago, but he admitted that his commitment to quitting was far from whole-hearted back then, and his efforts proved unsuccessful.
Bob reached a point about two years ago, where his number one daily focus was drinking to the point that he no longer ate, lost his job as a welder, and had no place to stay. His entire disability check went to the purchase of alcohol. At the time he was over six feet tall and he weighed only 124 pounds. One of his friends warned him that
he desperately needed to address his issues with alcoholism. His friend had heard of the good work done at the Shelter and he dropped Bob off at the York County Shelter
for help on October 17, 2005.
Admittance to the York County Shelter requires at least forty-eight hours of sobriety. Bob was greeted by a Case Manager outside the residential building who was leaving the facility to go home. The Case Manager spoke with Bob briefly and immediately requested that he turn over the alcohol that he was carrying with him since the York County Shelter is a dry facility. The Case Manager then referred Bob to a detoxification
program in Portland, Maine, where he stayed for ten days and then returned to Alfred. This was the beginning of a relationship which has flourished and which is appreciated by both Bob and many individuals on the York County Shelter Program Inc. staff.
In any conversations about the York County Shelter Programs, Bob’s immense feelings of gratitude to the Shelter are communicated frequently. He reminisced about
all the opportunities that the Shelter provided for him to turn his life around when he was at a very dangerous and difficult stage. He explained that, while living at the Shelter, he regained a feeling of self-worth by signing up for various chores and volunteering each weekday to help transport the food to the Meals Kitchens in Sanford and Springvale. He was finally able to address his problems with alcohol and he was ready to be helped. York County Shelter Programs was more than happy to help him.
While staying at the Shelter for a period of seven months, Bob had the opportunity to
attend various group meetings that addressed substance abuse issues and life skills. He took advantage of being transported to all the various twelve-step programs that were available and learned a great deal from others in recovery. While a resident at the Shelter, he made several visits to the West Kennebunk Animal Shelter with the volunteer program arranged through the Healthy Habits program, and enjoyed walking the dogs and helping out there in various capacities.
There were definitely adjustments to living at the Shelter. Being thrust into a community residential setting for the first time often brings about challenges and a development of coping skills for compromising with people from many different backgrounds, and often with many critical needs. Unlike some other residents, Bob had never been homeless. It was a brand new experience to be living and sleeping in a room with seven other individuals who were not always on the same schedule and at the same place in the recovery process. Bob has always gone to bed early (8 p.m.) and awakened early (3-4 a.m.). When eight individuals share a common room, a sense
of compromise and understanding must be fostered if there is to be any semblance of
a peaceful coexistence.
Bob explained his amazement with the dedication of the staff at the Shelter. They provided a great deal of support and understanding. One of the staff even arranged for Bob to visit York County Community Health Care where he was able to acquire teeth, something which he had been self-conscious about for many years. This acquisition of teeth came about through a series of events at the Shelter. During the holidays, an employee from the Residential Shelter offered Bob and other clients some nuts for a snack. Bob responded that there was nothing that he would enjoy more, but that he had no teeth with which to chew them. When the Shelter employee asked Bob if he wished that he had teeth, he responded that he certainly did! She was able to speak
with the medical technician, who was able to arrange with York County Community Health Care to set Bob up with a series of appointments with a dentist for dentures. Bob commented that he will be forever grateful for this life-changing gift that positively
affected both his diet and his self-esteem.
Bob and his roommates from his substance-free residential home in Sanford continue to visit the Shelter and keep in touch. They often come back on Friday for a noon meal. They stopped by recently to pick up a food basket for a friend who had been ill. Bob and his house-mates continue to attend a twelve-step program and stay sober. They have developed many friendships and have found a sense of gratification in working towards independence and healthier choices in their daily living. Their continuing involvement with the Shelter and the various programs is a testament to their
sense of deep appreciation.
While discussing this story, Bob mentioned how several residents that he met who stayed in various shelters throughout the country during their lives would cite the York County Shelter as one of the best shelters that could be found anywhere. York County Shelter is different in many respects. It has received various awards such as being cited as one of the six model shelter programs by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It was the first program to receive a McKinney Grant for transitional housing, and it is one of the thirty-six nationally featured programs by the National Poverty Law Center’s “Smart Programs, Foolish Cuts.” Residents are offered an array of support services including case management, educational and healthy living opportunities, meals, vocational and fitness training, medical and legal services, and various housing options.
Bob is just one of the many success stories of the York County Shelter. This story came about because Bob stated, “If it weren’t for the York County Shelter, I wouldn’t be around today and if you ever want to let others know how I feel about this agency, just contact me.” A special thank you is extended to Bob for his positive attitude, his willingness to share his story, and his sense of gratefulness. Best wishes are sent to him as he continues down his new path in life.
Bob is extremely grateful to the York County Shelter Programs