The story of a gathering place

Brunswick, Maine Times Record - A number of years ago, when a group of us were trying to envision and plan for what would become The Gathering Place, one of the goals that we set forth was that it should be a community. Everyone who participated would feel and, in fact, have ownership of it. We did not want there to be “volunteers and staff” on one hand and “guests “on the other. In our minds, we did not want an “us” and “them” situation.

As time has passed, our then almost pious wish has become a reality. Guests have become volunteers. Volunteers and staff have become friends with guests. Volunteers find their spirits lifted and strengthened by being at TGP. Guests find a safe and warm “home” where they can rest, find a sandwich, play games, talk with friends, work a puzzle, have a cup of coffee or hang out.

This does not mean that everything always runs smoothly — far from it. If a person is having a bad day or mental and physical health issues become unmanageable, someone must deal with the situation. Not infrequently, a guest steps in to help. It was a cold winter night, we were in Warming Center mode, and suddenly, one of our guests had a meltdown. Staff and volunteers began to shift into crisis mode. In the back of the room, another guest popped up and says, “Hey, fella, let’s go outside and have a smoke before you offend everyone in the room.” They went outside, and in a few minutes, they came back in. All was well, and the night proceeded without further incident.  MORE

The Gathering Place - It serves as a destination for those who might otherwise hang out on the corner, an office for those who need to fill out forms and, perhaps, most important of all, a diversion from the despair that often accompanies homelessness.

We don’t keep statistics other than the number who visit each day.  We don’t ask who they are, where they live or what their circumstances may be.  But our volunteers and guests get to know each other pretty well just the same.