The Sister Mary O’Donnell Emergency Homeless Shelter in Aroostook County, Maine, began its mission through the vision and compassion of the late Sister Mary O’Donnell and the St. Mary’s Social Action Committee. Originally founded as the Temporary Shelter for the Homeless, Inc., the shelter was renamed in 1998 to honor Sister Mary O’Donnell’s life of service and dedication to helping those in need.
Today, we remain the only emergency homeless shelter for the general public in Aroostook County—a county that is geographically the largest east of the Mississippi River, covering an area roughly the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. Serving a population of approximately 72,000 people (based on the 2010 census), our shelter provides critical resources, including safe housing, meals, and compassionate support, for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
At the Sister Mary O’Donnell Emergency Homeless Shelter, we are committed to addressing both the immediate needs of our guests and the root causes of homelessness. Through community partnerships and dedicated staff, we strive to help our neighbors regain stability, hope, and a path toward permanent housing.