I sat in this week on a Community Connection zoom meeting hosted by Milestone Recovery.  Milestone’s mission is to “provide compassionate care and services to empower individuals experiencing substance use disorders, mental illnesses and homelessness to attain an enhanced quality of life regardless of ability to pay.”

The work they do is endless and the need has only been growing.  Among the services Milestone provides is their HOME Team, which stands for ‘Homeless Outreach Mobile Engagement’.  The HOME Team is a small group of just two people on each of two teams, who proactively go into the community to help connect homeless people with whatever resources they most need.  For people in crisis, the HOME Team is a lifeline, and a way to get help without involving the police.  If you find someone desperately in need, camped out in your lobby or doorway, or having a mental health breakdown, call the HOME Team instead of the police.  They will come out and provide help, whether it’s a ride, or transport to a doctor or shelter or substance abuse facility; or warm clothing, or meals.  Call the HOME Team 207-838-8904 or 207-303-2073 9am to 9pm Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm weekends.

This weekend, 10% of all sales (Saturday and Sunday 2/4-2/5/23)  in our Portland store will be donated to the HOME Team to support their life-saving work.