ALFRED — The volunteer, one who is willing to sacrifice their time, effort, and energy for a cause, is a cherished figure. In times of hardship, following a natural disaster or a lengthy government shutdown, everyone feels a yearning sense to alleviate the pain. But what happens when a disaster is out of sight? For the staff of the York County Shelter Programs, the mission of volunteerism is a year-round task.

In 1979, the shelter began as a seedling in the York County Jail. The building had been condemned for prisoners pending the construction of a new facility, and it may have been unused if not for the agency which took it over. This agency, being a precursor to the YCSP, provided a reprieve center for the inebriated in the area. They provided bed and basic food to those in need, and developed into an organization over several years. What had begun as a sprout grew into a large center helping many in various states of need, with a large pool of volunteers to provide assistance.

“Out of [this] grew the idea that, ‘Why don’t we, instead of just feeding the people that are here and giving them the basics, help them grow as humans? How do we do that?'” said Bob Dawber, CEO of the programs. “‘How do we get people to stop drinking, how do we get people to find a way to a sustainable lifestyle with housing included, employment included?'”

The agency, hiring a new executive director in the 1980s, discovered the Brothers of Christian Instruction, an organization focused around similar ideals of self-improvement. Their plot in Alfred, acquired in 1931, housed a boarding school for many years and included an operational bakery in the second half of the 20th century. This was the bakery where the agency purchased provisions for the inebriated, and the Brothers’ land would eventually become the headquarters of the York County Shelter Programs.

“[The director] made a deal with the Brothers to essentially take over the bakery,” said Dawber, “and the deal was that in exchange for running the bakery, they had to give 50 loaves of bread a week to the Brothers.”

From 1985 to 2013, the Brothers of Christian Instruction and the York County Shelter Programs continued the arrangement. The precursor programs moved into the basement of a quonset hut on the property, then a basketball court, and grew outward as the years passed. Today, the shelter is a collection of residences, self-help programs, and charitable programs, as well as religious and historical organizations, such as the Alfred Shakers and their on-site museum.

But the spirit of charity has never faltered in the shelter. They have given their loaf of weekly bread and more, especially in service to the community. There is a food pantry, which serves roughly 2,500 to 3,000 patrons per month, and their collection of over 120 residential buildings are open to those in need. As an organization, YCSP mitigates disadvantage, and supports all forms of reintegration: recovery, recuperation, and rehabilitation.

Through their multi-faceted efforts, the programs provide addiction services, and simultaneously educate their patrons about employment opportunities in the region.

Volunteerism need

The need for volunteers is present year-round, and the York County Shelter Programs cherish their roster of dedicated men and women. Because anyone can be the subject of poverty, it is imperative that everyone give support to the welfare of others.

“One of our goals is to get away from the stigma of people who are homeless, or are experiencing homelessness, so how best you can do that is to invite people up  to see that they’re really not different than you or I,” said Diane Gerry, director of operations at YCSP, “their circumstances might be different than ours. [It’s] really helpful to have volunteers as ambassadors for the agency.”

In their service, men and women educate others, and encourage them to be empathic of people who seek aid.

“Volunteers make up one-quarter of our workforce here,” said Dawber. “If we didn’t have volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to survive.” In the 2018 fiscal year, volunteer service members contributed over 30,000 hours of work into the facilities. Their duties, ranging from maintenance to fundraising, supplant their services.

But YCSP doesn’t operate with their on-site volunteers alone. With the aid of local churches, such as the Ogunquit Baptist Church, they find inlets of volunteerism and service. The Maine Medical Center hosts Turkey Bucks in coordination with the organization to provide food for Maine families. There are many businesses, clubs, and congregations in York County that contribute to the programs, one in particular is Books ReVisited in Sanford.

The store began as a hospice fundraiser under Agnes E. Flaherty, a decorated World War II nurse and avid garage-sale book finder. She established two separate locations in the region before opening the Sanford front in 2000.

As a bookstore it is volunteer-run, and survives through the efforts of 24 committed members of the community. Housing all genres, and an expansive selection of children’s books and young adult novels, it is enticing to scour the shelves for old favorites and new arrivals. The donations they receive come from a variety of sources; one could find the sizable collection of Stephen King books or an assortment of publications from Maine authors.

Since its founding, Books ReVisited has benefited Hospice, HomeHealth, and currently serves the York County Shelter Programs. Each purchase benefits a family in need, or a recovering addict, or a victim of the latest national crisis. In every sense, YCSP depends on businesses like the store to supplement their programs.

By becoming an active volunteer, one can understand the image of disadvantage and gain compassion for those in need. For this reason, especially in June, July, and August, volunteers are valued for their commitment to facing and alleviating poverty in the region.

If you would like to volunteer, or have questions concerning the York County Shelter Programs and their variety of projects, send an emailto  [email protected], or call 324-1137, or by postal mail at 24 George Road, Alfred. YCSP is located at 147 Shaker Hill Road in Alfred.