In testament to her long-standing involvement in ministry among homeless persons, Lucille MacDonald, RSM, has recently been appointed to the Maine Statewide Homeless Council.
The Council is designed to coordinate and establish statewide policies on homelessness, including providing leadership to end homelessness, and developing an educational campaign. It makes policy and program recommendations to the governor, legislature, and Maine Housing, an independent state agency that brings private and federal housing funds to the state to create safe, affordable, warm housing for low- and moderate-income people. Lucille will represent the Region III Homeless Council, which covers the Bangor area and the northern part of the state.
At present, the Homeless Council is in the process of expanding to include the Greater Penobscot Continuum of Care in order to eliminate duplication of efforts and provide a broader perspective.
Sister Lucille welcomes the expansion. “This new membership integrating former homeless persons, agencies, businesses, municipalities and government officials will allow all concerned to share resources to address the needs of the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless,” she says.
After 24 years as a teacher and principal in New Hampshire Catholic schools, Sr. Lucille moved to Maine in 1981, and has been instrumental in opening two homeless shelters – St. Francis Inn in East Orland and the Emmaus Homeless Shelter in Ellsworth. For the past 17 years she has been director of the Emmaus Shelter which is one of the few shelters in the state that houses both families and individuals. It is, says Sr. Lucille, “a ‘home away from home’ where homeless people can transition from homelessness and desperation to empowerment and hope.”
In 1996, Sr. Lucille worked closely with Maine State Housing to open the Sister Barbara Hance Transitional Home in Ellsworth. The seven-
bedroom home is named for the late Sister Barbara Hance, a Graymoor Franciscan sister who was co-founder with Lucille of the Emmaus Shelter. The Hance Home has provided a much-needed service for single individuals who need a place to stay while they make the difficult transition from homelessness to independence.
Sr. Lucille is eager to bring her wealth of experience to the Maine Statewide Homeless Council. She feels that she brings an important perspective – the voice of people who are caring for the guests who come to the shelters.
