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!