WHAT IS THE MAUREEN'S HAVEN HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM?
Every evening during the winter months, November 1st through April 1st, homeless guests are screened and transported from the North and South Forks of Long Island to one of fourteen host Houses of Worship between Greenport and East Hampton.
Screening of guests consist of Breath-a-Lyzer Test, a physical check of the person and baggage and visual monitoring of the guest's behavior.
Upon arrival to the host site, the homeless guests are welcomed and are registered by church volunteers. Guests then proceed to the sleeping areas to claim their bed and put down their personal belongings.
Volunteers who have been preparing a nutritous, hot dinner for both the guests and volunteers are ready to serve 35 to 45* people by 7:00pm. Everyone sits down together for dinner and shares this opportunity for fellowship.
After dinner guests are given the opportunity to attend an AA Meeting*, take a hot shower*, get warm clothes, consult with a medical professional or social worker*, play board games, attend an English (ESL) Class, watch a movie or just rest .
Volunteers (Innkeepers) stay to monitor the guests overnight. At day break (5 am) a breakfast crew arrives to prepare and serve a sunstantial, hearty morning meal. In addition, a bagged lunch is prepared for each guest to take with them upon departure.
The volunteer clean up crew begins to break down the beds and collect the bedding and towels for laundering at 6:30 am.. The floors are swept and disinfected, bathrooms are sanitized and the kitchen is cleaned.
Promply at 7:00 am the guests leave and are transported back to where they originated.
*Capacity and amenities vary among the paticipating Houses of Worship
HOST CHURCHES
Saint Peter's Lutheran, Greenport
Southold Presbyterian
Episcopal Church of The Redeemer, Mattituck
First Universalist of Southold
Sacred Heart RC, Cutchogue
Old Steeple UCC, Aquebogue
Our Redeemer Lutheran, Aquebogue
First Parish UCC, Northville
East Hampton United Methodist
Jewish Center of the Hamptons, East Hampton
First Presbyterian Church of Southampton
Saint Mary's Episcopal, Hampton Bays
Immaculate Conception RC, Westhampton Beach
Westhampton Presbyterian
Saint Therese RC, Montauk
Christ Our Savior Lutheran, Hampton Bays
Most Holy Trinity RC, East Hampton
St. Patrick's RC, Southold
CONTRIBUTING HOUSES OF WORSHIP
St. John's Episcopal, Southampton
Our Redeemer Episcopal, Southampton
Saint Rosalie's RC, Hampton Bays
Assembly of God, Hampton Bays
Weshampton United Methodist
Beach Methodist, Westhampton Beach
First Baptist Church of Riverhead
Advent Lutheran, Mattituck
Community Christian Fellowship, Mattituck
United Methodist of Southold
Christian Science Society
MAUREEN'S HAVEN 2010-11 FACTS
130 Nights Hosted
252 Individuals Served
40 Average served per night
15 Host Churches
17 Contributing Houses of Worship
5,256 Beds Made
81% Men
19% Women
7% Veterans
40% Working or willing to work Homeless
Over 1,500 Volunteers
