A home.   A job.   A friend.

Around the mid 1980s, a research study of people with serious mental illness found that the three primary goals of their lives were the same three primary goals of everyone else’s lives… A home. A job. A friend.

What those looked like… how they were defined… were a bit different, but the essence was the same.

A home.  We all need a space to call our own, where we can keep our personal possessions, and feel safe – whether it’s a 5,000 square foot waterfront property or just a single room in a boarding home.

A job.  “Job” is defined as purpose.   We all need to feel useful and as though our lives are meaningful.  Purpose varies widely; for some, it’s being a neurosurgeon or a school teacher.  For others… a stay at home parent or a church volunteer.  Purpose is not necessarily based on money, but rather, on being needed.

A friend.  We all need to belong… we need family, friends, a social group, or even a social worker who we can trust.  Or sometimes, for some people, that friend is a companion animal – a cat or dog that loves us no matter what.

It’s really that simple.  A home.  A job. A friend.

Almost 20 years ago I worked as the Housing Developer/Rental Subsidy Administrator for a mental health agency; prior to that I was the Community Support Supervisor for that same mental agency.  Addressing homelessness was a big part of both jobs.

The Bangor Daily News has just published a stark and overwhelmingly touching report that offers a glimpse of what it’s like to be without a space to call one’s own, and how it eats at one’s being.  You can review it here.

http://external.bangordailynews.com/projects/2013/10/homeless/index.html?utm_source=bangordailynews

You Can Help: 

Each of our Real Estate, Housing and Land Use Conferences has a Designated Non-Profit, which works to address issues of food, clothing and/or shelter among Maine’s most vulnerable citizens.

The Designated Non-Profit for the Greater Bangor conference being held on Oct 31-Nov 01, 2013 is OHI, a social services agency that helps provide those with disabilities with the resources they need to achieve their goals.  Housing is a major focus.  You can learn more about OHI at www.ohimaine.org.

The Designated Non-Profit for the Greater Androscoggin conference being held on Nov 08, 2013 is John F Murphy Homes, Inc, which for 35 years has helped people with developmental disabilities find a place to call home.   Visit the JFM website at https://www.jfmhomes.org.

We hope you will learn more about these two great organizations, and help support their goals, their missions and their values.

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For info on sponsorships, exhibiting or advertising at any of our conferences, call Linda at 207 740 2247 or email LSnyder@regroupbiz.com.

To present a seminar, workshop or activity at any of our conferences, call John at 207 713 0674 or email JSnyder@regroupbiz.com.

For your social media marketing and information in the Conference Program, email Jessamyn at JHopkins@regroupbiz.com.

For the Greater Bangor Real Estate, Housing & Land Use Conference, October 31-November 01:

To Register to Attend:    http://bangorhousingshowattendees.eventbrite.com

To Sponsor or Exhibit:  http://bangorhousingshowexhibitors.eventbrite.com

To Place an Ad in the Conference Program:  http://bangorhousingshowprogram.eventbrite.com

For the Greater Androscoggin Real Estate, Housing & Land Use Conference:

To Register to Attend:    http://androhousingconferenceattendees.eventbrite.com

To Sponsor or Exhibit:  http://androhousingconferencesponsors.eventbrite.com

To Place an Ad in the Conference Program:  http://androhousingconferenceprogram.eventbrite.com

Other Sources of Information:

To Follow Our Blog:  Real Estate, Housing & Land Use Blog

To Join Our Group on LinkedIn:  Maine Real Estate Investors Group

To Join our Group on Facebook:   Topics in Real Estate, Housing & Land Use.

To Follow Our Fan Page on Facebook:  Maine Real Estate Investors Group

To Follow On the Spot Property Management & Building Inspections on Facebook:  On the Spot Property Management

To Follow What a Great Event! on Facebook: What a Great Event!

To Find Linda on LinkedIn:  Linda Snyder

To Find John on LinkedIn:  John Snyder

To Visit Our Website:  ReGroup! Business Solutions and What a Great Event!