Homeless prevention and outreach case manager Alexander Bessey recently joined the team operating the Ecumenical Food Pantry hosted by the Second Congregational Church, UCC, on Main Street, Newcastle.

Bessey works collaboratively with the Ecumenical Food Pantry and the Ecumenical Homelessness Prevention Council, as well at the nonprofit Tedford Housing in Brunswick. All three groups are ministry partners in their efforts to help area families and individuals in need of food, housing, or other services.

Bessey, a lifetime Maine resident, is finishing his bachelor’s degree in human services at the University of Maine at Augusta. It is his goal to then enroll in a master’s program for social work. He has worked in the past with individuals with intellectual disabilities in a group home setting, and in a hospital setting with individuals struggling with mental illness. He began his journey with Tedford Housing in 2016 as a shelter attendant in Tedford’s adult shelter.

Asked how he helps people seeking housing assistance, Bessey explained “A person doesn’t necessarily have to be ‘homeless’ when they come here. I’m the point person for the [Ecumenical Homelessness Prevention Council] who tries to get an understanding of what a person’s needs are, whether it is financial assistance, case management, or in some cases, through Tedford. I just start the conversation. Some folks are gung-ho ready to obtain assistance. Others come in feeling shame about their situation. My job is to help alleviate that shame or pressure. I use all the resources at my disposal.

“Homeless in Lincoln County comes in different forms,” he continues, “whether they’re couch surfing at friends’ homes, living in tents out in the woods, and in unheated trailers or campers. That’s been my experience with people south of here, too.” In the winter, they sometimes seek out emergency shelters.”

Bessey says homeless peoples’ interactions with law enforcement run the gamut from positive to negative. “It’s often hard for some folks to find a truly safe space. It’s an ongoing problem.” He hopes to develop closer relationships with local law enforcement personnel and departments, as he has in Brunswick.

The skyrocketing costs of housing in the area are often too steep for some people, says Bessey, who also cites the wild swings in employment opportunities as a factor in affordable housing. As a result, evictions are on the rise in the mid coast region.

While interviewing Bessey, it was hard not to see the compassion and empathy he feels for his clients. He is passionate about Tedford’s mission of empowerment and housing, and he enjoys lending a listening ear to visitors and hearing their individual and unique stories. He is also the father of two girls and lives in the Brunswick area.

Bessey is available Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 at the Ecumenical Food Pantry, which serves the residents of Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, and the larger community. The Food Pantry operates from the church’s Fellowship Hall, and is compliant with all COVID-19 requirements--allowing limited numbers at a time, using social distancing and asking patrons to use masks. If visitors prefer not to come inside,  the team will be happy to pack a box and deliver it to the visitor’s car. Outside attendants also can answer questions regarding other services.