New Hope Women's Shelter
"Bible study happens every evening at the New Hope Shelter.
Our mission here is not just to feed the body but the souls of the women and children entrusted to us."
Our mission here is not just to feed the body but the souls of the women and children entrusted to us."
THE NEED
This is one of 2 shelters in Somerset County which is the second poorest county in Maine with 14.9% living below the poverty line, according to the US Census Bureau. The worse the economy is, the greater the need for housing. In these tough economic times, more and more people are finding themselves homeless.
There are many reasons women become homeless. Some of those reasons are:
Lack of a solid family structure.
Developmental Disability or Mental Illness
Unemployment or Under-employment
Drug/alcohol addictions
Previous Incarceration
Jesus had a lot to say on the subject of taking care of the poor and homeless.
It is our mission to take care of homeless women and their young children. The Bible says in James 1:27 that this is “pure and undefiled religion."
HISTORY OF THE WOMEN’S SHELTER
A desire to provide a place where women can regain their lives amidst a loving Christ centered atmosphere was our goal in starting the shelter. Many women in Somerset County were seeking shelter but there were none available. On January 28, 2010 the New Hope Shelter opened. In the first 23 months of operation, we have provided a place for over 200 women and children. Rev. John Weeks Jr., also known as Pastor Jack to the residents at the shelter, was instrumental in the starting of the shelter.
The shelter is currently in the north wing of the New Hope Church while we are in the beginning stages of building a new secure shelter for the women that will be able to house 40 women and at the same time meet the code requirements of the fire marshal.
THE PROGRAM
Jesus teaches that there is hope for everyone! New Hope teaches the same principles, through our Christian program.
Our weekly schedule includes:
Prayer Meeting daily at 8 AM
Bible Study daily at 6:30 PM
Saturday - 5:30 Fellowship Meal
6:30 PM Worship Service,
Sunday - 9 AM Bible Study, 10:00 AM Worship
This is a SHORT- term program dedicated to help women get back out into society. We have our own Case Manager who works to help find appropriate housing for the women and their children and works on goals for the future. We encourage the women to find jobs and help them get set up in apartments.
Unlike state funded traditional shelters, people are not required to leave during the day and they are given twenty-four hour support and guidance. We give them New Hope for their lives.
The shelter requires residents to sign a contract when they enter. This contract prohibits the use of drugs or alcohol, requires residents to attend various required meetings, and take part in household chores. All medications are kept locked up, and dispensed under supervision of staff members. Because of the contract, the shelter cannot be funded by the state government. As such, this necessitates it being entirely run on donations from concerned individuals, churches and organizations.
This is one of 2 shelters in Somerset County which is the second poorest county in Maine with 14.9% living below the poverty line, according to the US Census Bureau. The worse the economy is, the greater the need for housing. In these tough economic times, more and more people are finding themselves homeless.
There are many reasons women become homeless. Some of those reasons are:
Lack of a solid family structure.
Developmental Disability or Mental Illness
Unemployment or Under-employment
Drug/alcohol addictions
Previous Incarceration
Jesus had a lot to say on the subject of taking care of the poor and homeless.
It is our mission to take care of homeless women and their young children. The Bible says in James 1:27 that this is “pure and undefiled religion."
HISTORY OF THE WOMEN’S SHELTER
A desire to provide a place where women can regain their lives amidst a loving Christ centered atmosphere was our goal in starting the shelter. Many women in Somerset County were seeking shelter but there were none available. On January 28, 2010 the New Hope Shelter opened. In the first 23 months of operation, we have provided a place for over 200 women and children. Rev. John Weeks Jr., also known as Pastor Jack to the residents at the shelter, was instrumental in the starting of the shelter.
The shelter is currently in the north wing of the New Hope Church while we are in the beginning stages of building a new secure shelter for the women that will be able to house 40 women and at the same time meet the code requirements of the fire marshal.
THE PROGRAM
Jesus teaches that there is hope for everyone! New Hope teaches the same principles, through our Christian program.
Our weekly schedule includes:
Prayer Meeting daily at 8 AM
Bible Study daily at 6:30 PM
Saturday - 5:30 Fellowship Meal
6:30 PM Worship Service,
Sunday - 9 AM Bible Study, 10:00 AM Worship
This is a SHORT- term program dedicated to help women get back out into society. We have our own Case Manager who works to help find appropriate housing for the women and their children and works on goals for the future. We encourage the women to find jobs and help them get set up in apartments.
Unlike state funded traditional shelters, people are not required to leave during the day and they are given twenty-four hour support and guidance. We give them New Hope for their lives.
The shelter requires residents to sign a contract when they enter. This contract prohibits the use of drugs or alcohol, requires residents to attend various required meetings, and take part in household chores. All medications are kept locked up, and dispensed under supervision of staff members. Because of the contract, the shelter cannot be funded by the state government. As such, this necessitates it being entirely run on donations from concerned individuals, churches and organizations.
Shelter Administrators:
Director:
Rebecca Philpot - 207-859-0090
Asst. Director: (Intake)
Nancy Waugh-Whitmore 207-399-3348
Board Of Directors:
New Hope Church Pastor: Tim Hunt
home-474-5182 church- 643-5601
timhunt@myfairpoint.net
Mike Thebarge-431-2771
mikethebarge@myfairpoint.net
Randy Goodwin
goodwinbuildersinc@gmail.com
Mary Andrews
odbera@localnet.com
Rebecca Philpot- 859-0090
newhopeshelter@ymail.com
Shelter Email:
newhopeshelter@ymail.com
Mailing Address:
New Hope Shelter
PO Box 209
Solon, Maine 04979
Physical Address:
111 South Main Street
Solon, Maine 04979
For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."
Matthew 25:36-40
Special thanks to the congregation of
Faith E Free Church of Waterville for their generous cookbook project. What an awesome gift this was and we want to thank everyone who took a part in the making, selling, and purchasing of the cookbooks!!!
If you make a donation, please specify if it is for the New Shelter Building, or for the general operating expenses of the shelter!