Vassie Fowler, executive director of Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center.
Courtesy photo
By Lee Burnett
The family shelter in Sanford is getting a new owner and an infusion of funds, just as wintertime state funding has expired.
Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center in Biddeford took over operations May 1, retaining the same program manager, staff and commitment to serving families.
“We’re super excited about this opportunity,” said Vassie Fowler, executive director of Seeds of Hope. “We have high hopes of making a difference.”
For the past year, the 16-bed family shelter has been operated jointly by York County Shelter Programs and the City of Sanford. When the shelter agency closed its adult shelter in Alfred May 2025, most other programs were shut down or off-loaded onto other agencies. Keeping the family center open was a priority because it’s the only one in York County and one of a handful statewide. Last September, the city secured a $142,000 grant out of a $2.3 million awarded to support wintertime warming centers statewide through April. The shelter agency retains ownership of more than a 100 units of affordable housing in York County but is seeking a new owner.
York County Shelters consultant Barbara Crider said the decision to transfer operations to Seeds of Hope “wasn’t terribly difficult” given the organization’s comparable mission and capacity to continue operations. She applauded Seeds of Hope for stepping up. “This is a critical resource for the region. There are very few family shelters in the state, and data shows that 40 percent of homeless individuals are children. Shelter service funding is inadequate for everyone, but especially for kids,” she said.
Crider described Fowler as a “passionate” advocate.
Seeds of Hope operates a day program and an overnight center in a former worship center at 35 South St. Biddeford. Since Fowler took over five years ago, the nonprofit has increased its staff from 2.5 to 20 people. It also relies on 36 volunteer staffers.
“We couldn’t have grown without them,” Fowler said. “We still rely on volunteers for our day program.”
Fowler said Seeds of Hope has raised $110,000 toward the family shelter’s $240,000 annual budget. She said they have been successful by tapping a diverse set of partners, including businesses, individuals and foundations. “At his time, we are not seeking any municipal or state funds,” she said.
Fowler said she is making plans for opening a neighborhood day program and “ultimately a winter warming center” in Sanford, which would entail finding additional space, ideally in a single building. “I’m flexible, I’m not married to one idea.”
“Clearly, we need a regional response,” she said. “All of York County needs to work together.”
In a Facebook post, Seeds of Hope saluted York County Shelters.
“Their leadership, staff, and volunteers have provided safety, stability, and hope to countless families. The impact of their work is deeply felt throughout our community, and we honor the foundation they built,” the post read.
The post Agency Steps Up to Keep Family Shelter Open appeared first on Sanford Springvale News.
