RUMFORD — Rumford Group Homes Inc. offers three emergency shelter programs serving homeless individuals and families in Oxford County. Homelessness is not an easy problem to solve, and the lack of affordable housing and reliable transportation — coupled with a scarce job market in Oxford County — are all contributing factors. The majority of the individuals and families who stay in our shelters face three major barriers– llack of sufficient income, lack of access to affordable housing, and family and personal struggles such as a mental health diagnosis, illness or job loss.
The mission of the shelter programs is to provide a safe haven for homeless individuals and families while allowing them the dignity and respect they deserve. The organization aims to restore hope and give assurance that someone cares by providing a safe and warm place to sleep at night and offering supportive services to help people move to self-sufficiency and stability.
Shelter programs are designed to help homeless individuals and families help themselves by securing safe and affordable housing, increasing their income by locating employment, and helping to resolve the issues that led to homelessness. The shelters and dedicated staff offer guests the opportunity to stabilize their immediate crisis, identify the patterns that lead to cycles of homelessness, and develop long-term strategies for economic self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle.
Services:
* Shelters are open 24 hours a day.
* Safe and stable environments
* Clean living space with linens, blankets, and assistance with food, clothing, and hygiene items
* Case Management services
* Referrals to services including health care, mental health services, substance abuse services, and community services
* Supportive Aftercare services to continue to help families work on goals after they leave the shelter
In order to be eligible for shelter services, an individual must be homeless, and the head of household must be over the age of 18 unless emancipated. Guests must be able to live independently, willing to supervise their own children, and willing to follow shelter rules and expectations. Shelters are all drug- and alcohol-free.
“Currently 44 people are at the shelter comprising 16 families. The organiation is in the process of opening up another shelter, hopefully by mid-December,” noted Michelle Worthley, director of Rumford Group Homes. The shelters are in need of donated food, hygiene items, cleaning products, paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc. or a financial donation to the funds where needed.
Donations may be made directly to Rumford Group, 201 Knox St., Rumford, ME 04276. For more information, 207-364-3551 or mworthley@rumfordgrouphomes.org.
