Spotlight: Meet YCSP Staff & Volunteers

June 2023. Stephanni thyng, targeted case manager.

We’d like to introduce you to one of our new Targeted Case Managers.

Stephanni Thyng may be new to the YCSP team - but she has eight years of experience working in the mental and behavioral health field.

“I began my journey as a Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) and Direct Support Professional (DSP) working with children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities,” she says. “Through the direct care work, I realized that this field was my passion and I enrolled in college to obtain my Associates in Behavioral Health Studies.” She worked as a program manager, and while navigating the changes wrought by the pandemic, she decided to go back to college to earn a B.A. in Psychology. “The end goal, to become versatile enough to my team to be able to jump in wherever I was needed, is what led me to targeted case management.”

She views her role as being a “community resource hub.” “It is our job to meet with clients, build and establish rapport, assess their needs, and together build a treatment plan that will help them become successful and independent individuals,” Stephanni says. “We help connect people with housing, employment, supplemental income, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, medical services, all while using a strengths-based approach to empower the individual to be their best self.

“Working as a case manager who helps those experiencing homelessness is a job that doesn’t feel like a job,” she says. “You come to work every day and you’re meeting with people who are just looking for someone to listen and give them some guidance. You know, when you leave here at the end of the day, all the hard work you’ve put in, is truly making a difference. By being able to connect people to the services they have either been without or never had, you help to give them something that, for some, had been forgotten. We give them hope. Hope for a better today and brighter tomorrow.” 

Stephanni admits to some trepidation about leaving her former position, where she’d been for eight years, but says she has felt at home here since the very start. “Between the welcoming culture, the team dynamic and the shared passion of everyone, I left my interview knowing that YCSP was going to be my new home away from home,” she says.

When she’s not at work, Stephanni has lots of activities to keep her busy. “I have three beautiful stepdaughters that definitely keep my husband and me running between cheering, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse. On the off chance there is some free time, you’ll find me with a book in hand snuggling a dog or cat (or both), or watching the Bruins. On even rarer occasions, you may also catch me writing my next novel in my published series on Amazon.” 

 may 2023. joanne yestramski, targeted case manager.

Say “hello” to one of our newest Targeted Case Managers! Joanne Yestramski has been with YCSP since the end of February. 

This position has special meaning for Joanne. “I have personal experience with substance use and homelessness and understand the feelings that it brings with it,” she says. After her recovery from both she decided to go back to school and change her career path. Previously, she had worked in the electronics industry for 20+ years. She graduated last year with a degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Addiction Studies. She then worked at several substance use inpatient facilities.

 When she saw that YCSP was advertising for case managers, she thought it would be a good fit for her skills and career direction. “I have a passion for wanting to help people,” she says. “My goal is to give back and help others as much as I can. I want to show people that there is a solution to homelessness and addiction and help them to find their solution.”

 As a TCM, she assesses clients and creates a case plan to address their needs and goals. “I monitor the clients during their stay at the shelter,” she says. “I also help the clients connect to resources available to them, such as healthcare, SNAP benefits, substance abuse treatment options and SSI (Supplemental Security Income.)”

 Joanne says she feels grateful to have found this job. She enjoys helping people who are in a very difficult time in their lives. “Being homeless is a crisis situation,” she says. “My work helps alleviate some of the clients' anxiety and stress while they are dealing with being homeless. I help clients find solutions to their problems.”

 april 2023. teneyce nadeau, residential technician.

After graduating from college, Teneyce Nadeau applied for a position as a Residential Technician at YCSP last summer. During the interview, she was also offered the opportunity to be a Housing Navigator. She chose the latter, and is glad she did.

She says she originally looked for work at YCSP because she has known people who have worked here and recommended it. 

“I am so grateful to have made the decision I did - to become a member of such a caring team,” Teneyce says. “The work I do here is meaningful, there hasn’t been a day wasted since I began.” As a housing navigator,she helps residents seek permanent and stable housing. This includes helping people develop skills and goals related to obtaining and maintaining housing, and in many cases helping people acquire housing vouchers. “However, I have found that the scope of my job reaches far beyond the job description,” she says.  

“I’ve had so many great conversations and interactions with a lot of great people,” she says. “Even in the face of all the adversities at hand, the folks I work with inspire me every day. That includes residents and staff alike.We challenge ourselves to be better, to gain more perspective, and to collaborate with one another to create meaningful experiences and solutions.” 

Thank you, Teneyce!   

april 2023. Don Burns, Residential technician.

At 75, Don Burns decided he’d look around for a job that would supplement his retirement a bit. He didn’t want to take just any job, however.

 “When I decided I needed a little extra something, I wanted to do something I wanted to do,” he says. 

So, about six months ago he came to YCSP to work as a Residential Technician. At first he signed on for a 40-hour shift, but then decided a 24-hour week was better for him. He does two 12-hour shifts weekend at the adult shelter in Alfred. 

The Parsonsfield resident, whose professional life has included managing parking garages for the city of Portland, also has experience working with recovery groups.

He’s received training to provide services in the areas of substance abuse and mental health, and has many years of experience leading recovery groups. It’s something he and his late wife sometimes did together, including leading groups at YCSP. He was also a counselor at the former Serenity House in Portland, years before YCSP purchased the property. (It has since been closed.) YCSP also  holds meaning for Don, as there’s a garden planted here in memory of his stepdaughter Wrendy Hayne. 

Don doesn’t consider working a 12-hour shift difficult; he enjoys working with the residents. He notes that challenges include helping people adjust to living with others at the shelter. “These are people who did not choose to live with each other - all with varying personalities,” he notes. 

He’s glad he took the res tech position. “The work is working out for me,” he says. “I do feel I’ve made a difference.”

MaRCH 2023. MarIE bARNES, booKSTORE mANAGER.

Marie Barnes was still working a full-time job 18 years ago when she decided to start volunteering on weekends at Books ReVisited used bookstore in Sanford. “I love books and bookstores,” she says. 

The New York native, who has a B.A. in English and an associate’s degree in horticulture, spent much of her work life in bookstores and garden centers.

 When Marie started at Books ReVisited, the store was operated by a Saco visiting nurse agency. Eight years ago, when YCSP took over the store, Marie, now retired, agreed to be the store manager, still as a volunteer. She now oversees 22 other volunteers. “A lot of people have been here quite some time,” she notes. The three-hour shifts attract a lot of retired folks.

During the busy times, such as the Christmas holiday, Marie might work up to 30 hours a week. Otherwise, thanks to her capable staff, she might put in six to 10 hours.

The small store, at 882 Main Street, is packed with books, thanks to a steady stream of donations. Many customers buy books there and then donate them back, Marie notes. Marie and her volunteers make sure that the books they take in are in good condition and also shelved well, to make it easy for the customers. There’s even an area dedicated to children’s books, with a colorful mural and a place to read.

 All the revenue generated there goes to YCSP.

 Thank you, Marie, for all the work you and your volunteers put into this cozy store! That’s why it is a popular Main Street destination!

February 2023. Mari Anne Cordero, Bookstore volunteer

The summer before her freshman year in high school, Mari Anne Cordero, then 14, decided to volunteer at Books ReVisited in Sanford. 

At that that time, the bookstore, which sells used books, was operated by a visiting nurse agency in Saco. York County Shelter Programs took over the store eight years ago. 

Mari Anne volunteered on Saturdays throughout her high school years, and then as a young adult went to work at the former Nonesuch Books store in Biddeford, until it closed. 

Last fall she and her young daughter stopped into Books ReVisited, and overheard bookstore manager Marie Barnes talking about volunteers. With Mari’s daughter now in school, Mari Anne decided to come back. She’s been back since November, and comes in once a week. 

“I always loved being here,” Mari Anne says. She’s also been so happy to reconnect with Marie, who’d she worked with all those years ago. When she’s at the store she thoroughly enjoys keeping the store in order and assisting customers. “I do love interacting with people, meeting them, helping them find what they’re looking for,” she says. 

Mari Anne also helps fill in for other volunteers as needed, and she assists with writing the store’s Facebook posts. (Besides being an avid reader she’s also a crafter, and creates embroidery items for craft fairs.) 

What a nice circle back to our store! All the revenue generated by the volunteer-run store goes to YCSP. Thank you, Mari Anne, for being part of such a great group of volunteers!

October 2022. dawn clark, residential technician

At 47, Dawn Clark says she has found her passion.

The former teacher (20+ years)  and daycare provider (several years) started a new career when she came to Layman Way Recovery Center almost four years ago to work as a residential technician. Layman Way offers a six-month residential substance abuse treatment program. Now, Dawn, who is a Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA), is the lead residential technician on the second shift. Dawn’s own journey in recovery led her to Layman Way. “I wanted to help others that are struggling, and I’ve enjoyed being  a caregiver for so long, that I felt this job would be perfect for me!” she says.

“There are so many positive aspects to this job, but the ones that stick out for me are just being a listening ear when a resident needs to talk. I’m grateful I’m able to relate, as well, when a resident needs support. I understand where they are coming from.”

The challenges for her are that she wishes could do more (“There’s not enough of me to go around!”) when it comes to listening and supporting residents. She also says her sense of empathy is so strong that it can be difficult not to feel the upsets that residents are experiencing.

The rewards of this work are huge. “There are soooo many rewarding moments,” she says. “When a resident makes it through the six months of treatment, they are so proud of themselves, and you see the difference in that person. It’s an amazing feeling. ”

Working at Layman Way is not just a job for Dawn. It is her career. As she says, “I could not imagine doing anything else!”

September 2022. Joanna Shaw, Residential Technician

Joanna Shaw  made quite a career change just over a year ago. After working as a hair stylist for 10 years, she took a position as a Residential Technician at Layman Way Recovery Center.  

She has no regrets. “I absolutely love my job,” she says. “I get to be a part of peoples’ journeys in early recovery from addiction. I get to share hope and inspiration with them.”

 As someone who knows about recovery firsthand, the experiences she’s had are especially powerful. “I have seen children reunited with their parents through visits. Families coming back together and rallying around clients with support and love. I get to see all of the amazing potential each and every client has. I celebrate their wins with them from finding a sponsor to starting step work or having that tough conversation. So many skills are taught at Layman Way and I'm there to cheer them on. It is such an amazing community to be involved with. ”

She says one of the difficult aspects of this work is dealing with the fact that not everyone can conquer addiction right away. For some people, it takes numerous attempts. “Addiction is such a powerful disease, and watching it take back over someone’s life is by far the hardest part of this job,” she says.

She is buoyed by the many success stories, however. “Being able to see who our clients are when they first walk in the door to who they become six months later is the most rewarding piece of this job,” she says. “Being able to see the light come back into someone’s eyes, a smile across their face and the hopes and dreams they now know are possible to achieve fills my cup.

“The work that gets put into creating this program and giving people the tools to having long-term recovery - it’s amazing to be a part of it all. Everyone deserves recovery and is worth it. We do recover.”

Thank you, Joanna, for all you do to help people navigate into a new life.

 JUNE 2021. Wes PhinneY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR

We’d like you to meet Wes Phinney, YCSP’s Deputy Director. His job is to oversee the operations of the agency, which includes fiscal operations, housing and development, food services, clinical operations and community relations.

Wes has had a long career in law enforcement - he was the York County Sheriff for many years - and he’s also had a long history with YCSP.

His connection to YCSP goes all the way back to the agency’s beginning, in 1979. Wes was one of a group of York County citizens who came together to incorporate what was known then as the York County Alcoholism Shelter. He was the York County Sheriff at the time. He helped YCSP create programs to help people with mental health and substance abuse disorders. He also helped the agency evolve from its start at the abandoned jail on Route 111 to what it is today - a multi-service provider with a campus on Shaker Hill.

Wes went to work at YCSP in 1999 and held several positions for the next seven years. He worked as the Deputy Director, was the program manager at Serenity House, and he also served as the Human Resources Director and the Chief Operations Officer. He recently returned to serve as Deputy Director, because he was enthusiastic about working for Megan-Gean Gendron.  “I was thrilled to see Megan Gean-Gendron return to YCSP as Executive Director,” Wes says. “I knew she shared the same vision that I had held for YCSP when I served her father Don Gean here.”

“It’s good to see the same commitment towards helping and caring for folks from an awesome staff!” Wes says. “There is in place a quality team of staff who are second to none. I truly feel like I’ve come home.”

Wes says the reward of coming back to YCSP is that he can help people who have experienced “much of the worst that life heaps upon individuals.”

As he says, “At YCSP we have the reward of giving people hope that they can change and take life’s journey through a positive path.”

MaRCH 2021. RaChel BaNNisTer, A Volunteer at Books Revisited.

Rachel Bannister is a longtime volunteer at Books ReVisited, our used bookstore in Sanford.

Rachel has been volunteering there since 2000! She says she decided to volunteer after several major life changes, including  leaving a job. The Sanford resident had been the Children’s Librarian at Goodall Library in Sanford for 16 years, until her resignation.

“Even though I was busy at home, I missed the library, so I decided to volunteer at the St. Thomas School library,” Rachel says. “Then, I read a column in the paper asking for volunteers at a used bookstore. It was just getting set up, so I was more than happy to help.  I also continued volunteering at St. Thomas School for ten years.”

At that time, Home Health-Visiting Nurses owned the bookstore; money raised went to their hospice program.

Even though the bookstore changed hands years later, after YCSP took it over the store’s set-up remained the same. The all-volunteer staff sorts through the donated books received, and arranges them by genre, in alphabetical order. “We also try to help people find books they request,” Rachel says. The store contains thousands of books, including  a special area for children, where they can sit and look through books that appeal to them,. The store also sells puzzles, CDs and DVDs. Prices are extremely low,  and special sales are held regularly. All money raised goes to YCSP.

The store is at 882 Main Street. 207-490-1320. It is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM.

February 2021. Brooke Cote, Residential Technician.

We’d like you to meet Brooke Cote.

Brooke started working with us a year-and-a-half ago as a weekend Residential Technician. She worked two 12-hour shifts. She soon moved up to the Lead Residential Technician position, “a role I was proud to take,” she says.

Brooke, who is a CRMA (Certified Residential Medication Aide), has numerous responsibilities.  First, she oversees the other RTs and works closely with the Emergency Services Supervisor. She is also responsible for the overall operational needs of the facility, including ordering supplies, managing chore lists and laundry schedules. “I am also the first person that many people speak to when they call the shelter for various needs,’ she says. “My goal is to be as compassionate as possible to these people - many of them are in vulnerable situations and question whether they should even make the first call.”

Brooke is with most of the clients at the adult shelter on a daily basis. “We talk about their goals, housing, and other various needs, like helping them make phone calls to their doctors and potential landlords to get appointments and apartment viewings set up,” she says. Brooke also helps clients resolve other issues that may come up during their residency. “The clients feel comfortable talking to me, and for that I am so grateful,” she says. “I am glad to be the person that they know that they can go to for advice, and they know that I will always listen.”

Brooke enjoys seeing how life at the shelter can evoke so much change for people.“I love working for YCSP.  It's the remarkable changes that I see from the beginning when the clients first come in, in contrast to when they are leaving,” she says. “That is what makes my job worthwhile - watching all of their progress to the very end.”

Thank you for all you do, Brooke Cote!  

November 2020. MArge Lewis, A Volunteer at Books Revisited.

We’d like to extend a big “Thank You” to Books ReVisited volunteer Marge Lewis of Springvale.

At 94 years young, Marge looks forward to her weekly shift at YCSP’s used bookstore on Main Street in Sanford.  Marge has been volunteering there for 20 years - back when the bookstore first opened and was operated by a local hospice program. “I enjoy it very much,” Marge says. “I love people and books.”

Marge rings up sales and “goes on her rounds” as she says - straightening up the shelves. She especially enjoys meeting customers. The day we spoke she had met a 91-year-old customer, originally from Switzerland, and the two had a long discussion about World War II. 

Books ReVisited fills a need, Marge says, by offering very affordable books, puzzles, Cds and Dvds. She also enjoys seeing how much children enjoy the special section created for them. Children enjoy “real books” she says - versus online - especially pop-up books.

Marge is a Springvale native who lived “away” for 35 years. When her family moved back in 1989, she soon became involved in community service. She has volunteered at the former Goodall Hospital, the Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum, and at a food pantry and soup kitchen in Springvale.

 Marge says the only difficulty working at the bookstore is that “I see so many books I want for myself!” Her favorite books are autobiographies.

 Thank you for all you do, Marge!

 Books ReVisited is at 882 Main Street and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM.

October 2020. CaROL AND hARry HaradA, Food Pantry Volunteers

We wanted you to meet two of our most dedicated Food Pantry volunteers - Carol and Harry.

At one time, Carol and Harry Harada were experiencing food insecurity, so they went to the Food Pantry at York County Shelter Programs in Alfred. The retired couple, who lives in Springvale, were so touched by the experience they had at the pantry that they decided to volunteer there as much as possible.

For more than two years now, Carol and Harry have been going to the pantry five days a week, and sometimes more. “Sometimes we’ll call and say ‘Do you need help?’, ” Carol says.

“We love it so much,” Carol says. “It’s good to go there.” The couple have enjoyed the friendships they have made with the other volunteers, and they especially appreciate Food Pantry Coordinator Mike Ouellette and his assistant Jim Colligan.

The Haradas are there on weekends to help unload the trucks that make deliveries. “We weigh the food and put it away and also stock the shelves,” she says. They also sort food, making sure everything is fresh, and they clean. “I like to clean,” Carol says. “We wash down refrigerators and coolers.” Carol also keeps the building and offices clean.

The couple is there on Tuesdays and Fridays for about five hours, in order to help pack the food boxes given out to patrons on those days, from 12 to 3 PM. They say they miss interacting with patrons, as everything is done on a drive-through basis, due to Covid-19.

An extra bonus of the Haradas’ volunteer work is that it keeps them feeling healthy. Harry is 79 - “He acts like he’s 45,” Carol says. She is 65, and prior to working at the pantry had been experiencing some strength issues. The walking, the cleaning and the lifting have made her stronger and healthier, she says.

SEptember, 2020. Pamela Buck, Human Resources Specialist And Volunteer Coordinator

Today we want to tell you a little bit about our Human Resources Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator, Pamela Buck.

Pam, originally from northern Maine, started her position at YCSP in October of 2017. Pam has had a diverse career. “Largely, I have had the pleasure of being involved with career and community development for individuals of all ages, including individuals with disabilities,” she says. “Continuing efforts for education and technical training to maintain our workforce efforts to keep our citizens employed in decent paying positions has been a primary role in my employment throughout the years.” Pam has worked at WABAN in Sanford, the York County CareerCenter in Springvale, and Loring Job Corps Center in Limestone. She has also held municipal positions, and has worked as a broker in real estate over the years.

As YCSP’s Human Resources Specialist, she is involved in hiring employees, administers payroll, oversees benefits and enforces company policies and practices, plus keeps up to date on compliance with local, state and federal laws. It’s a busy position - YCSP currently has over 60 employees. She is also part of the agency’s Leadership Team.

An important part of Pam’s job is overseeing the many volunteers who are essential to YCSP. Currently, YCSP has about 150 volunteers who help in so many ways. Pam says they encompass all ages and backgrounds, and are essential to the agency. They drive residents to appointments, work in the food pantry and the kitchen, help with maintenance, provide services such as haircuts to residents, work in the bookstore, and assist with office work, among other things. Pam says, “Without our volunteers, we would not be able to provide all of our successful programs and offerings to our clients.”

Pam says what is most rewarding about her job is seeing how people can change their lives after receiving support from YCSP. As she says, “Just being a member of a team that is driven to see others succeed and become their very best, is truly rewarding, and the best benefit of my job.”

Pam Buck - thanks for you all do!

August, 2020. Jeannie Delahunt - NDSC’s Retreat Coordinator

Sometimes when she is in her office at Notre Dame Spiritual Center, Jeannie Delahunt can hear the “happy chatter” of retreat participants. “I may not be able to understand the words, but I can certainly feel the positive energies in the tones of their expressions,” she says. “Given these days of frantic dashing to and fro, and harried responsibilities, to hear and feel the joy and calmness these groups experience when they're here, knowing that we provided a venue for that, is most rewarding.”

Jeannie, NDSC’s Retreat Coordinator, has been here three years. She helps market the center, and she assists manager Sue Cass with arranging retreat details.

NDSC, started by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, has been hosting retreats since 1981. It attracts a variety of groups, including religious and spiritual groups, recovery groups, crafters, businesses, organizations and private events.

“Most of our groups return year after, even the newer groups,” Jeannie says.

“Our groups love the campus, the ambiance of the grounds, our prices, the amenities, the excellent customer service, and the sense that we care about them - so they return. They love the bakery, the dining services, and the work that the shelter does.” Proceeds raised by NDSC go to York County Shelter Programs. The center, YCSP and the Brothers are all neighbors on this campus atop Shaker Hill in Alfred.

Jeannie also spends time on the phone contacting businesses, schools and organizations letting them know what NDSC has to offer. Jeannie says the key is providing a tour of the facilities; when people walk into the buildings and see the comfortable, welcoming accommodations, they see the true charm of this special place. Jeannie and Sue also work closely with groups to offer the amenities and accommodations they require.  

Many of the returning participants have maintained connections with the Brothers, and they look forward to seeing them every year.

One way NDSC is able to keep its costs affordable is because Jeannie’s job also includes seeking product and monetary donations. “Many businesses have been so generous,” she says. “Some local, some not.” Thanks to support from donors, NDSC is able to keep guests comfortable without passing on the costs of upgrades to them.

The advent of COVID-19 put NDSC on hold for the past few months; Jeannie says the center is now creating safety protocols so that groups can start returning. Groups continue to book their retreats; the center is currently booking into 2021 and 2022.

Jeannie enjoys the happiness these retreats bring attendees. Crafters who are energized by this special time devoted to creativity. Religious groups who savor the chapel in the center and the church on the Hill. Recovery groups - “I often hear the stories of redemption from addiction,” Jeannie says. “These deeply touch my heart as I consider each a miracle.”

Jeannie says the cooperation of all those who work on Shaker Hill - the Brothers, the Shelter and the NDSC staff -contribute to NDSC’s longevity. “We make each other and the Spiritual Center shine and succeed,” she says. “I am blessed.”

June, 2020. Meet Stacy Irving - A person who goes above and beyond

Stacy Irving is one of those people who is not content to just do the bare minimum. Since starting at YCSP in 2016 as a Physician’s Aide to Dr. Marie Guay, our staff psychiatrist, Stacy has continually extended herself.

Stacy manages the office and also meets with patients, completes an assessment, and after patients meet with Dr. Guay, a treatment plan is created, with goals set for patients.

The rewards of this job have been many. “The absolute biggest reward of this job is seeing the success that every single one of our patients has, (and see them) come to life and to know that you played a little part of it,” Stacy says. “Some come to us when every single door has been shut in their face. To be the one who held the door open and let them walk through is an amazing feeling.”  

This year Stacy’s job title was expanded to include Lead Med Technician, which means she oversees the med room and ensures quality care. “(It’s) making sure we provide the best care for our residents,” she says.

Stacy says she began giving extra time to YCSP when she joined the Apple Festival team. This is YCSP’s biggest annual fundraiser. Stacy came up with the idea of the KID ZONE, which includes jump houses, face painting, and treats such as cotton candy and snow cones. She then stepped up to help at Christmas, when a co-worker who normally handled Christmas tasks became ill. She collects gifts from daycare centers, classrooms, churches, businesses, young people and adults who want to make the holidays brighter for the shelter residents. Then she sorts them and distributes them to residents.

 “The giving is beyond humbling, and seeing the difference it makes in the lives of those we serve is payment enough,” she says.

 “The agency is built on so much more than just a homeless shelter, and I am so glad that Jen Ouellette put me through a daunting two-hour interview and decided I would be good for the company,” Stacy says. “I love what I do and what we stand for.”

 APRIL, 2020. Our Staff and Volunteers Meet The ChallengeS

Usually the Spotlight focuses on one person. This month, our Spotlight shines on the dedicated YCSP staff and volunteers who have done an incredible job of adjusting to the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because we are an essential service, we remain open. This includes our adult and family shelter, Layman Way Recovery Center and our Food Pantry.

From the very start, staff and volunteers have been adhering to safety guidelines put in place by Maine’s Center for Disease Control. This has required more work on everyone’s part. Our staff is dedicated to getting through this crisis and keeping everyone safe.

Our Spotlight also shines on all of those who are on the front lines. Social service agencies, health care practitioners, the caretakers, the people who work in pharmacies, grocery stores and gas stations.

If we all follow safety guidelines and continue to stay connected while following social distancing guidelines - we will get through this faster.

Stay safe, stay strong.

 March, 2020. Books Revisited - All volunteer-run

This month we shine the Spotlight on the volunteers who run Books ReVisited, a cozy used bookstore at 882 Main Street in Sanford. All of the items in the store are donated. Proceeds support YCSP programs and services. 

The store’s manager, Marie Barnes, is a volunteer; she oversees the other volunteers. “The bookstore has 25 dedicated people who volunteer their time, talent and energy to serve their community,” Marie says. The volunteers sort through donations, fill dozens of shelves and help customers. “My favorite quote is, ‘Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.’” 

Books ReVisited first opened in 2000, when it was created to help support a hospice agency based in Saco. Marie, who had been a volunteer at  the store for about 11 years, assumed the role of manager when YCSP took it over in 2015.   

The store offers book lovers incredible deals. The average price of a paperback is 50 cents, and hard covers average $1. However, there is also a “Free” box; Harlequin and Silhouette novels are a mere dime, and newer books can range up to $8. The store is known for its storewide half-price sales every April and October.   

The store is well-designed, with books separated by genre and alphabetized, and chairs available so people can sit and browse. A children’s area includes a colorful mural and a table for little ones to thumb through books. Marie also creates displays for monthly specials.  

Although the store is primarily filled with books, it also sells donated puzzles, CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes. 

Marie says she has regular customers who come by, and after finishing the books, they donate them back. Books ReVisited is popular with many summer visitors who load up on books for their summer vacation. 

Anyone interested in donating items in good condition can leave them at the store. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Pam Buck at YCSP, at pamb@ycspi.org or 324-1137, ext.150. 

Books ReVisited is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM.  207-490-1320.

January, 2020. Connie Canney, Volunteer ay Layman Way Recovery center

Connie Canney is an artist with a gift, and she believes in sharing that gift.

The 90-year-old artist is a volunteer who goes to Layman Way Recovery Center in Alfred to make portraits of residents. When she is done, she gives the residents 14” X 17” drawings, as well as wallet-sized images she prints.

Connie, a lifelong artist, applied to be a volunteer several months ago. Because her daughter Taryn is a residential technician at Layman Way, Connie travels to the center with her. The center is a residential recovery center for people with alcohol and/or drug addictions; most residents live here for about six months. The center is unique, as it is a partnership with York County government and the York County District Attorney’s office. It is an option offered to some people who have been arrested on drug or alcohol charges. The goal is that by helping people treat addiction in this comprehensive recovery center they will have a better chance at changing their lives.

Connie grew up in East Rochester, New Hampshire, and as a college student pursued art at the Kansas City Art Institute. After she was married, she and her husband Robert and their family lived in several places, including about a dozen years in Alfred. The Canneys owned an antique store, called “Someplace Else,” from 1972 until the mid 1980s. Widowed in 1988, she was living in Florida, and then moved back to Alfred in 2014 to live with Taryn.

Connie had been making art sporadically, and once settled in Alfred, she  had a show of portraits at Parsons Memorial Library in Alfred. She began accompanying Taryn to work, and would do three or four portraits over the course of 8 hours. She’s even sketched for 12 hours, during a longer shift. “I’m good for 12 hours easy,” Connie says with a smile.

Steve Mazza, Addiction Services Supervisor at Layman Way, has seen the profound impact Connie has had on residents. “Our people shared that sitting still and allowing someone to see who they really are, and not just that they are all the things they have done wrong, was an amazing experience,” he says. “They gained hope and realized they are beautiful and have potential to be the person they were born to be. (Connie) definitely inspired many to continue on the journey of recovery and the road to happy destiny.”

Connie says going to the center is like visiting family. “Some (residents) call me ‘Grams’,” she says. Connie sees the beauty in people, and she wants her subjects to see that, also. “It’s kind of like introducing themselves to themselves,” Connie says. “I think they look at it and go, ‘That’s who I am.’”

Some of the residents have expressed an interest in making art. Connie may offer one-on-one lessons to those who would like pursue it.

When people compliment Connie on her ability to capture someone’s essence, and ask her “How do you do it?” she says she replies, “I surprise myself!”

As she says: “I feel a real sense of trust for them to sit in front of me. I get as much from this as they get from me.”

YCSP Clinical Director Jen Ouellette says that volunteers such as Connie bring activities to the residents that complement their clinical treatment plan. “A robust program supports much more than traditional treatment approaches and attempts to expose the clientele to a variety of options they might find helpful in their recovery journey,” Jen says. “Layman Way is incredibly fortunate to have dedicated volunteers and groups gracing our facility on a regular basis. Connie has devotedly volunteered hours on end completing portraits for those residents interested in having one done. The patience and kindness she contributes, in addition to her beautiful artwork, has made an impact on the lives of others. For many, it’s an experience they have never had previously. We are grateful that Connie chose Layman Way to share her time and artistic abilities.”

 December, 2019. Lori Theriault, Housing & Maintenance Manager 

York County Shelter Programs helps homeless residents move into transitional and permanent housing. When YCSP was first created in 1979, it was to provide emergency shelter to homeless individuals. Over time, however, the agency began to implement programs to help people change their circumstances and to find homes.

Today we have about 122 rental units throughout southern Maine. This month we are shining a spotlight on Lori Theriault, YCSP’s Housing and Maintenance Manager. Lori has been with YCSP since 2000; she started as an administrative assistant to the executive director and fiscal director. After two years she moved into a position that required her to record client data and agency statistics.

In 2007, Lori became our Housing and Maintenance Manager, where she has been ever since. It’s a busy job - Lori oversees all of YCSP’s rental units. She and her assistant Meggan Wilson handle all tenant applications, and submit reports to funding agencies such as MaineHousing and HUD. Lori oversees maintenance, quality standards and building rehabilitation and other housing grants. She is also chairperson of the agency’s Safety Committee.

Lori, a Sanford native, loves what her job allows her to do. “It is wonderful to provide someone with a home and see that he/she is so appreciative to been offered such an opportunity.” she says. “YCSP has several tenants who have been living in their rental units for over 10 years, and still love their apartments.”

This position has also given her opportunities for professional growth. She has obtained a COS (Certified Occupancy Specialist) certificate, an HQS (Housing Quality Standards) certificate and has completed a course in property management. She is also a Notary Public.

Thank you, Lori Theriault for all that you do to help residents obtain new homes. Having a stable, affordable place to call home is a critical step in changing a life!

may, 2019   Scott Davis, director of food services

Scott Davis takes his position as YCSP’s Director of Food Services to heart.  He works hard every day  to ensure that every meal served from the kitchen at Henry Hall is nutritious, delicious, and of the highest quality possible. “You’ll never see a meal served without some true heart in it,” Scott says. 

Scott’s entire work life, (starting when he was 12!) has been in the food industry.  Over  the years he has owned several  local restaurants and catering businesses.

Four years ago Scott decided to close his restaurant  and to look for a food service position.  He heard from a friend that there was an opening at the Shaker Hill Bakery in Alfred, which is owned by YCSP. “I’d heard a lot of good things about the agency,” Scott says, and so he applied. Much to his delight, after an initial interview for the baking position, he was asked back to a second interview and was offered the job of kitchen manager, instead. He was happy to accept it. Seven months later, he was promoted to the position of Director of Food Services.

The job is multifaceted:  Scott oversees a staff of 11, and he is responsible for a kitchen that feeds, at a minimum, 80 people, three meals  a day, every day. The meals are made for shelter residents, residents of Layman Way, Emery House, and for the Brothers of Christian Instruction. The numbers increase when the nearby Notre Dame Spiritual Center is hosting retreats and events – so there are days when the kitchen is preparing as many as 130 meals at one time.

Scott also oversees the  food pantry on Swetts Bridge Road in Alfred,  the seasonal bakery (open August through November), the public “Mama Mia” suppers held Friday nights through the summer, plus  occasional YCSP catering jobs, both on-site and off.  (One of  Scott’s goals is to generate more catering  clients for the agency.  FMI, scott@ycspi.org )

Scott’s  previous experience as both a business owner and a chef made him a natural fit for his job. Because YCSP is a non-profit ,  he has to keep an eye on costs when he is creating or approving menus. He knows how to “shop” for the right ingredients, depending on the times of the year.  As a chef, he also leads his team to understand the importance of presentation and, most especially, as he describes it , to understand  his “palate.” Scott and his crew members often do tastings of dishes together, to determine whether they have hit the mark. When you are serving food for 80+ people, it is important that foods are “just right.”  Over time, he says, his crew has learned where those places are – the nuances of salt, sweet,  spicy, heat, acidity, richness –  it is an art that comes naturally to Scott.

Scott is a hands-on guy who enjoys  working beside staff in the kitchen.  He is also apt to lend a hand to other people in the agency, as needed. Ultimately, it is that feeling of being of service that gives him the most gratification from his job. “You feel good at the end of the day,” Scott says. “You leave with such a positive feeling, because you are helping the homeless.”

“York County Shelter Programs is so fortunate to have Scott as part of our team, “ says Diane Gerry, YCSP’s Chief Operating Officer. “Working with the clinical team, he also helps teach daily living skills to clients and residents who are working in the kitchen and dining room. Scott treats everyone who comes to YCSP with the utmost dignity and  respect.”