Community center helping homeless families
ELLSWORTH — More than a year after opening, a Maine community center has given families a place to call home.
The families First Community Center in Ellsworth is helping Maine families to get back on their feet.
Since March of 2021, the organization has been providing homeless families with a place to stay. According to Shaina Fraser, the executive director of families first, the center now offers new programs that give residents much more than just a roof over their heads.
“Our goal is that when our residents leave here that they are more self-sustainable… that they have a savings account set up, that they have a driver’s license,” said Fraser.
Fraser says that the on-site programming includes parenting classes, cooking classes, and even tai chi. In an effort to make it easier for residents to attend these programs, the center provides on-site daycare, which is open to anyone in need.
Resident Brittany Pomeroy says that these opportunities have made a difference in her life.
“The program has definitely changed my life… It’s just been really helpful in trying to achieve my goals in life and I’ve gotten very far since then,” said Pomeroy.
In addition to these programs, Fraser says that the center will be offering free gifts in the days leading up to Christmas for those who are unable to buy their own.
According to Fraser, this is only possible thanks to the generosity of community members.
“We’ve had some awesome people show up and donate a lot to it… People are gonna be able to come in and get gifts for their kids from the community,” said Fraser.
The center currently has six apartment units housing families and hopes to continue to grow in the future. For information on how to donate and help homeless Mainers, visit familiesfirstellsworth.org.
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