Aroostook Homeless Shelter Services
If you are looking for help in Aroostook County, you are not alone — and you are not without options.
Homeless Services of Aroostook provides a full spectrum of homeless assistance programs in Maine, all operating from Presque Isle and serving individuals and families across the largest county east of the Mississippi. Whether someone needs emergency housing, a safe place to warm up on a winter night, or guidance toward long-term stability, our doors are open.
From structured family shelter to low-barrier access and ongoing housing support, our programs are designed to meet people where they are and walk with them toward independence.
Sister Mary O’Donnell Emergency Family Shelter
A Safe Place for Families and Individuals to Rebuild
Our emergency family shelter provides a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment for individuals and families with children who need immediate housing in Aroostook County. Each year, around one hundred individuals — including approximately thirty children — stay with us.
Residents receive far more than a bed. We provide two daily meals, towels, bedding, laundry facilities, and showers. Most importantly, every resident is paired with an In-House Housing and Resource Navigator who works alongside them to develop a personalized plan of action. Together, we identify goals, connect with community resources, and monitor progress toward stable, independent living.
Because we are a family-oriented shelter, our policies and expectations are intentionally structured to maintain peace and safety. Families remain together. Children have stability. Adults receive advocacy, guidance, and accountability.
Every story that brings someone to our doors is different. We treat each resident with dignity and respect, offering hope, encouragement, and practical steps forward.
Warming Center (Seasonal: November–April)
Protection from Harsh Northern Winters
Winter in Aroostook County is not mild. For individuals experiencing homelessness, cold temperatures can quickly become dangerous.
Our warming center operates seasonally from November through April, providing a safe, ADA-accessible space during the coldest months. Guests can come inside out of the elements, warm up, rest, and access basic necessities in a respectful environment.
In a county the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, this seasonal service fills a critical gap during the most severe time of year.
The Aroostook Bridge Program
Low-Barrier Shelter and Navigation Services
The Aroostook Bridge program is one of Maine’s few low-barrier shelter and outreach services in Presque Isle. It offers a safe place to sleep for individuals who may not qualify for more structured programs.
Guests have access to meals, showers, laundry facilities, and lockers for personal belongings. Beyond immediate needs, the Bridge program provides navigator services to guide residents who want assistance connecting with housing, healthcare, employment, and other community supports.
This program reflects our belief that there should be no wrong door. When someone is ready for help, we respond with safety first — and a pathway forward when they are ready.
Outreach & Housing Navigation
From Shelter to Stability
Ending homelessness requires more than emergency housing. It requires follow-through.
Our Housing Navigator provides continuing care and follow-up services for residents after they leave the shelter for up to a year, or until services are no longer desired. This continued connection allows us to help address challenges that arise and reduce the likelihood of returning to homelessness.
Outreach efforts also ensure that unsheltered individuals can access essentials such as meals, showers, laundry facilities, and guidance without unnecessary barriers.
We work in close partnership with agencies across the region, including Hope and Justice, ACAP, DHHS, AMHC, Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, Pines Health, Community Care Youth Services, TEMPO Employment Services, and Aroostook Veterans Alliance. Together, we coordinate support so that no one has to navigate a crisis alone.
One Place, Many Solutions
If you are overwhelmed and unsure where to start, begin here.
Whether you are a parent seeking emergency housing in Aroostook County, an individual looking for a low-barrier shelter, someone needing warmth during winter, or a neighbor searching for resources on behalf of a loved one — we will help you find the right program.
Homeless Services of Aroostook exists to provide safety today and a bridge to independence tomorrow.