Rotary updated on homeless shelter

    Presque Isle Rotarians heard a comprehensive update on the Sister Mary O’Donnell Temporary Shelter/Homeless Services of Aroostook during their regular meeting Feb. 5 at the Northeastland Hotel. Sharing insight on the local facility were shelter board member Paul Saija, shelter director Susan Mitchell and Norma Kinney, who had received shelter services in the past.
     Mitchell said the shelter serves mostly small families who are among the working poor. “Many live pay check to pay check and then something happens … a layoff or a large expense that forces them into homelessness. Most shelter occupants never expect to be homeless and they are not aware of the services that may be able to help them,” she said.
    The shelter operates 24/7 and has six shelter attendants. Due to a $60,000 budget shortfall, the shelter had to lay off their social worker and their maintenance person in December. They also do not have their outreach program right now, Mitchell said. The shelter, which has a 30-person capacity, receives the bulk of its funding from United Way of Aroostook and from HUD/Maine State Housing Authority — which have been at flat or reduced funding over the last few years.
    Shelter residents, said Mitchell, are required to participate actively in job searches if applicable as well as housing searches. Guests need to actively participate in weekly meetings with mental health counselors they might need. They need to respect other residents’ privacy and follow the rules or they will be asked to leave.
    Kinney, a former shelter client who never imagined she would be homeless, spoke very candidly about her situation. Living in her car, she stopped at the Chamber upon arriving in Presque Isle and found a brochure from the shelter. “The shelter gave me hope and a realization that people do care,” she said.
    Kinney was especially thankful of the mandatory meetings at the shelter that made her realize that she had depression and she was treated appropriately and is now doing fine on her own.
    Saija talked about the upcoming auction to benefit homeless shelter programs being held on March 17th at 2 p.m. at the Aroostook Centre Mall. Organizers are looking for any kind of auction item or gift certificate and encouraged Rotary businesses to participate. Donations can be dropped at Eagle Hill or at TD Banknorth; or call Saija at 551-8343 or 764-5701 for more information. Mitchell can be reached at 764-5114 or via e-mail at homeless_services_aroostook@verizon.net.
    In other business, the Rotary board voted to send $900 for the coffee cup fund to United Way to funnel to Helping Hands of Aroostook for emergency fuel assistance. That program was down to $50 in their budget and this was an urgent need.
    The Club will hold a childrens book drive for the Presque Isle library in February to be presented on March 5th for its first Rotary Literacy Month project. Assisting Club President Sharon Campbell on the 100-book project was member Lehrle Kieffer.
    Dan Bagley and Jay Trainer were inducted as new members. The “mystery” Rotarian this week was Joy Barresi-Saucier and her favorite charity was the American Red Cross/Aroostook Chapter who will have $50 sent in her name from the PI Rotary.
    The auction wrap-up dinner will be Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the PI Snowmobile Club. There wil be no regular meeing on Feb.y 19 in honor of President’s Day.