Information
What We Have and What We Need
The easiest way to understand Welcome To Housing is with this simple analogy:
“Do you remember the first place you had on your own? Whether it was a dorm or an apartment, you get settled in, only to discover there’s something your need. You may have a pantry full of canned goods…and no can opener. You might have pillows but no pillowcases.”
Many of the people Welcome To Housing serves don’t have someone like parents or family that can “come to the rescue” and provide things that many of us take for granted.
The people WTH serve are also used to being told “NO” on a regular basis, so when they come to visit our warehouse, the reaction of being told “YES” is something to behold.
“Do you remember the first place you had on your own? Whether it was a dorm or an apartment, you get settled in, only to discover there’s something your need. You may have a pantry full of canned goods…and no can opener. You might have pillows but no pillowcases.”
Many of the people Welcome To Housing serves don’t have someone like parents or family that can “come to the rescue” and provide things that many of us take for granted.
The people WTH serve are also used to being told “NO” on a regular basis, so when they come to visit our warehouse, the reaction of being told “YES” is something to behold.
Starting With “Nothing?”
Yes, the sad reality is that many of the individuals and families we help, do in fact start out with “nothing” in their new place. In the fall of 2011, Welcome To Housing was contacted by a case worker from Penquis. Her client had been in the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter and was a U.S. Military Veteran. This gentleman was starting out again and the only thing he had to start with, was a $20.00 voucher to Goodwill.
Thankfully, Welcome To Housing was able to help this individual “fill in the blanks” by providing many of the basics for this Veteran to set up housekeeping in his new home.
Thankfully, Welcome To Housing was able to help this individual “fill in the blanks” by providing many of the basics for this Veteran to set up housekeeping in his new home.
Wish List
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Yard Sale “Leftovers” & The “Dignity Factor”
Even though we welcome gently used items, please remember what we call the “Dignity Factor.” Since Welcome To Housing has become an all-volunteer program, we’ve had several occasions where people have donated large loads of items and among them a lot of broken or inappropriate items.
The best way to understand the “Dignity Factor” is to look at what’s being donated and putting yourself in the shoes of someone starting over again. Is the condition of the item something that would be welcomed and useful, or would you think of it as a “left over” that you wouldn’t want?
The best way to understand the “Dignity Factor” is to look at what’s being donated and putting yourself in the shoes of someone starting over again. Is the condition of the item something that would be welcomed and useful, or would you think of it as a “left over” that you wouldn’t want?
What Welcome To Housing Doesn’t Take
Wine glasses/glassware with Beer Logos: Many people we help are in recovery OR prior to being in a shelter, have come from homes where alcohol and/or drug abuse have been part of the home environment.
Welcome To Housing doesn’t take food or clothing items.
If we receive items not appropriate to our mission, they are given to other charities like Goodwill, The Salvation Army Store, The Third Street Rescue Mission and even community groups like the Brewer Kiwanis which has annual yard sales and gives proceeds to local children’s charities.
Welcome To Housing also reserves the right to dispose of soiled and/or broken items, if deemed not appropriate to give out to those in need.
Welcome To Housing doesn’t take food or clothing items.
If we receive items not appropriate to our mission, they are given to other charities like Goodwill, The Salvation Army Store, The Third Street Rescue Mission and even community groups like the Brewer Kiwanis which has annual yard sales and gives proceeds to local children’s charities.
Welcome To Housing also reserves the right to dispose of soiled and/or broken items, if deemed not appropriate to give out to those in need.
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Please note: Volunteers oversee the warehouse and appointments can be made to bring your clients to the warehouse in Old Town. As an all volunteer organization due to the issue of liability, clients must be accompanied by a representative of the agency helping them.
Due to limited numbers of volunteers, we ask that agencies make arrangements whenever possible to pick up larger items such as mattresses and other large furniture items.
When there are no options and a delivery is the only means, please remember, volunteers making deliveries are just that…volunteers…so as much notice and flexibility as possible should be given to arrange for a delivery time. Please also stress to recipients the need for good communication so that if a delivery is required, there is someone there to let them in.
Due to limited numbers of volunteers, we ask that agencies make arrangements whenever possible to pick up larger items such as mattresses and other large furniture items.
When there are no options and a delivery is the only means, please remember, volunteers making deliveries are just that…volunteers…so as much notice and flexibility as possible should be given to arrange for a delivery time. Please also stress to recipients the need for good communication so that if a delivery is required, there is someone there to let them in.
About Us
Our Mission
Welcome To Housing is a Household Goods Bank and serves people in need in the Bangor region. Our goal is helping people succeed as they transition from area shelters to permanent housing by providing basic household items donated through the local community.
History
Welcome To Housing was originally a program of the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter (BAHS) funded by a two year grant. The current incarnation of Welcome To Housing (WTH) as a Volunteer Community Effort came about in the fall of 2011 when the grant ran out and volunteers stepped forward to maintain and build the program that helped people moving from BAHS to permanent housing.
When the effort became volunteer driven, there was a hope that the scope of those served could be expanded to other agencies and homeless programs. Thanks to the overwhelmingly strong support from the community, WTH expanded to serve any and all Bangor region shelter programs in May of 2012.
To date, Welcome To Housing has helped individuals and families coming through:
When the effort became volunteer driven, there was a hope that the scope of those served could be expanded to other agencies and homeless programs. Thanks to the overwhelmingly strong support from the community, WTH expanded to serve any and all Bangor region shelter programs in May of 2012.
To date, Welcome To Housing has helped individuals and families coming through:
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