History

In 1990 a study commissioned by Bangor City Council on the issue of homeless youth found that on any given night, in the Greater Bangor Area, there were between 200 and 250 youth without a safe, permanent, night-time residence. The resulting report entitled “No Place to Go” made several recommendations.

Among these was the recommendation that a low-barrier shelter be created. In 1991 the Shaw House Shelter program was opened to provide a safe place to be during the overnight hours.

Over time other programs and services were added to fully meet the needs of runaway, homeless youth and their families. These programs combine to provide a comprehensive array of services that are available to youth and families throughout the five-county service area that Shaw House serves.

The programs are integrated to provide a continuum of services and support for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth and their families and offer core crisis stabilization, intervention and prevention services on a 24-hour basis.

Shaw House in Bangor has provided vital services and support to over 7000 runaway, homeless and at-risk young people, through age 20, since first opening its doors in 1991. Our agency has a 25-year demonstrated proven track record of delivering the scope and quality of services that meet the needs of runaway, homeless and street youth and their families.