Editor’s Note: The following story is the first in a series of articles that deals with the issue of homelessness in the Biddeford-Saco area. The names of the unhoused who were interviewed for this story have been changed in order to protect their anonymity.

For the most part, they live just beneath the surface of our day-to-day lives, but they are also our neighbors, our friends, co-workers and family members. In fact, the only difference between them and the rest of us is that they do not have permanent housing.

The issue of being unhoused is an issue being faced by cities large and small all across the United States, although the issue is often more magnified in communities that serve as urban centers, where public transportation is available and resources are consolidated.

On one of the coldest days in recent memory, we caught up with several unhoused persons at a warming center that was set up in Biddeford in order to provide respite while the outdoor temperatures were well below zero.

Louise is 66 years old. She moved to Biddeford from Portland two years ago. For many years, she worked as a restaurant manager and says she graduated from the University of Southern Maine. Although she has relatives in southern Maine, she says that being unhoused is her choice.

“I have a sister in Portland and a son in Brunswick,” she said. “But we don’t always get along, and I like to be independent.”

Louise said she has been homeless since 2018. She said that she came to Biddeford because she heard “some very nice things” about the city and the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center located on South Street.

Louise becomes quickly confused during our brief interview. She says that she and her boyfriend Bob would like to start their own homeless shelter. She also says that she is seriously considering running as a candidate to be Biddeford’s next mayor later this year.

“It’s my choice to be out there,” she said. “I don’t want to be a burden, and I want to help other people who have nowhere to go. I think of myself as a street angel.”

Vassie Fowler is the executive director of the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center, a non-profit organization that partners with regional communities and other service providers to assist those struggling with poverty.

“We don’t call them our clients,” Fowler said. “We call them our neighbors.”

Seeds of Hope provides many resources for those coping with homelessness, including breakfast and lunch during the weekday as well as providing donated clothing, personal hygiene products, tents, sleeping bags and other items.

“We have a very low bar set for people who are in need,” said Fowler. “Basically, all we ask for is your first name. For a lot of people living in poverty, isolationism is a really big issue. We work to build real connections and real relationships.”

According to Fowler, Seeds of Hope serves an average of 60-70 people per day, a number that has almost doubled since last year.

Last year, Seeds of Hope provided more than 10,000 meals for people in need. The organization is supported and run by a few staff and more than 30 volunteers and receives donations from local businesses and charitable organizations.

“Healthy people don’t live outdoors,” said Fowler. “Some people may say they choose to be unhoused, but more often than not, they are simply trying to maintain their dignity. “

Fowler pointed to three rows of cots that were set up in the gymnasium of the J. Richard Martin Community Center on Alfred Street, the site of Biddeford’s emergency warming center on a weekend when windchills dipped well below zero. More than three dozen people mingle with others or try to sleep on a bitterly cold Saturday morning.

“We have a room full of people who basically have nothing but their name,” Fowler said. “But everybody has a name, and that’s the great equalizer. When we use names, it’s no longer ‘those people.’ It changes your perception. Sometimes, that’s all we can that we can give them, just respect and dignity.”

A big smile on a very cold day

Jane is 21 years old and eagerly speaks to us about what it’s like to deal with not having a place to call home.

Jane says her mother moved to Maine from Florida more than 10 years ago. “I have some family issues,” she said. “I’m not working now, but I am looking. It’s not easy to find work when you’re basically homeless. There’s a lot of stigma.”

Jane said that she and her boyfriend often “hang out” at the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center. One of the biggest challenges to being homeless, she said, is a lack of public restrooms.

“I get why not,” she said about the lack of public bathrooms, “but it sure would be nice.”

When asked how she survives living on the streets, Jane offered a big smile and said, “I take it day by day. I just try to keep a positive outlook. I just always try to be happy no matter what.”

Mark is 42 years old. He sat on a cot in the warming center next to his girlfriend, Amanda.

Originally from Massachusetts, Mark lost his job at the Federal Express distribution center in Biddeford a few months ago.  He said he is scheduled to begin a new job in Portland in just a few days. “It’s tough to find work,” he says. “When they know you’re homeless, they don’t want to hire you.”

Mark freely admits that he has struggled with substance abuse issues. Although he has a brother and sister living in New Hampshire, Mark said his past behavior left him estranged from his family.

 “Yeah, I kind of got into some trouble,” he said. “It’s my fault, but I’ve basically lost everything.”

Mark and Amanda live in a tent encampment located on the western side of the city. “The cops kicked us out of there,” Ryan said. “So we just moved to some nearby woods.”

Amanda is 34. She said she became homeless after leaving an abusive relationship with her husband. “My family has pretty much turned their backs on me,” she said. “Some people think that homeless people don’t want to work. That’s just not true. I worked in a hotel and a call center. For a while, I was the manager of a convenience store. Bu things just happened. Being homeless sucks. It’s hard because it’s always in your face.”

When asked how she copes, Amanda shrugged her shoulders.

“You just gotta push through every day,” she said. “You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

Mark and Amanda said that it’s actually harder to be homeless as a couple because you always have to worry about the other person and whether they are okay. They also say that some other unhoused individuals often cause problems and sometimes steal belongings.

 “Some people really ruin it for others,” Amanda said.

Paul is 38 years old. He often hangs out at the Saco Transportation Center during the day. He admits that he drinks alcohol and smokes cigarettes.

 “How am I supposed to save money?” he asked. “Really, I get a check every month for about $600. How am I supposed to save up for first and last month’s rent and security deposit? If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

Jackson said he pan-handles to raise money, but he’d rather have a full-time job. Up until a few months ago, he worked full-time as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. He also worked in a factory. He lost his job after being hospitalized in a Portland psychiatric facility.

“I paid taxes just like you,” he said. “What did it get me? I’m outside and now nobody wants to know me. They don’t even want to look at me. A good day is a day when I can get some smokes. A bad day is when I think about stepping in front of the next train.”

In our next installment, we discuss the issue of homelessness with local police and city officials.

Randy Seaver can be contacted at [email protected].