By Renee Worthing
Register Reporter
York County Shelter Program officials hope the public will join Saturday’s two-mile “Housing for the Homeless” walk-a-thon in Kennebunk.
Saturday’s first “Housing for the Homeless” walk-a-thon has a two-fold purpose, Community Relations Director for York County Shelter Programs Joan Sylvester said.
Walk organizers hope the walk will raise awareness about homeless in York County as well as raise money for the shelter.
“In York County, the rents are expensive,” Sylvester said. “People who make $9 an hour can’t afford $1,200 for rent, even if their spouse is working, too.”
She said homeless people often “couch surf,” staying with neighbors and friends, while others live in their car or in tents pitched in the woods or at campgrounds.
“The general public doesn’t realize there is homelessness here in York County,” Sylvester said. “But it is in your neighborhood.”
York County Shelter Programs Executive Director Don Jean said there are no definitive figures on the number of homeless people in York County but said the number of homeless in York County was more likely around 1,200. He said the shelter served about 600 homeless people a year.
Through corporate sponsors, registration fees, walk pledges and donations, Sylvester said the funds raised will help York County Shelter Programs continue to offer homeless assistance programs.
Sylvester said money from the walk would be used to augment a grant for the Vinton House, a new facility offering 10 single occupancy rooms at the Brothers of Christian Instruction on Shaker Hill Road in Alfred in addition to the existing facility, which offers five single occupancy rooms.
She said the single occupancy rooms program, while not considered an assisted living facility, does offer case management, independent living skills, vocational training and medical services.
“The men that live here usually have no family,” Sylvester said. “We become their family. Everyone here cares about everyone.”
Sylvester coordinated the walk, involving churches and schools in the effort. The Rainbow Girls in Sanford expressed an interest as well as the civil rights group at Kennebunk Middle School, she said.
“There are a lot of kind people in York County and many people want to help, they just don’t know how,” she said. “This is a way they can help.”
Not only does the shelter program offer emergency shelter, York County Shelters Program is the largest food panty in the county, Sylvester said.
She said the organization handed out 750 boxes during a three-day period in November. Each box contained enough food for more than three people, she said.
With the uncertain economy, she said people are trying to juggle rising gas prices, heating oil costs, food, medication and housing.
“You have to have gas to get to work, you have to have heating oil,” Sylvester said. “The only thing people can fudge on is food.”
She said the shelter now serves the “working poor.”
“The working poor are what used to be middle class,” Sylvester said. “Many people are borderline homeless now.”
To contact Renee Worthing, email news@intheregister.com or 282-4337 ext. 240