This page has current openings at Hope Haven Gospel Mission staff. Shelter Staff Openings See Openings Job Application.docx Shelter Staff Openings Maintenance Assistant Assist in conducting regular maintenance tasks such as cleaning, painting, and minor repairs Conduct routine inspections of premises and equipment Help set up and take down equipment for events Handle basic repairs and maintenance Handy Man Fix doors in the organization and change the locks if they are bad. Carry out carpentry works Carry out flooring works. Troubleshoot general problems. Repair and replace general hardware. Remove stains and paint building when necessary. Attend to members of staff promptly when called upon. Food Service Manager Keep Inventory Coordinate menu Supervise Staff Maintain paperwork Security Monitor cameras Safety and well-being of staff and guest Monotoring facility Some light office work Help track donations and donor information Coordinate with community partners and agencies Assist with intake paperwork and guest records Organize volunteer schedules Office Manager

Full description of all our services and programs. Shelter Check-In Monday - Wednesday & Friday: 10:30 AM Monday - Wednesday & Friday: 2:30 PM Things to know: New clients should arrive as close to 5:30 pm as possible. Beds are all first-come, first-served. There are no co-ed dormitories. Bring a valid ID. (Lewiston PD will issue a shelter referral if you do not have ID - 141 Mill Street.) Limit your belongings to two bags per person. All new items brought into the shelter go through the heat room for a minimum of 12 hours. No exceptions. This is a point of entry for pest control. Be clean and sober. You must remain clean and sober for the duration of your stay. No sexual offenders will be admitted. Bring documentation showing that you have legal guardianship of any children with whom you will check in. Includes: birth certificates, DHHS paperwork, insurance statements, and final judgment. Remember that a 1-year latency rule applies when you leave or are involuntarily dismissed from the shelter. Once you are assigned a bed, it is yours until you leave. Plan to be proactive - you must actively seek housing, assistance, employment, or other means of reestablishing yourself during your stay. Bible Sudy God's Kitchen Hours Dinner: Monday - Saturday: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. Dinner: Sunday, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Breakfast: Monday-Sunday 7:15 am - 8:00 am Lunch: Monday – Sunday 11:45 am - 12:30 pm . Food Pantry/Giveaway Center Monday: 10:00 am - 11:30 AM Wednesday: 10:00 am - 11:30 AM Friday: 10:00 am - 11:30 AM Be there no earlier than 9:45 AM. If you do arrive earlier than 9:45 AM you will be asked to wait at the end of the line. Closed most major holidays. Donations Receiving For the convenience of our donors, we accept donations Monday - Sunday from 8 am to 5:30 pm . If these hours do not meet your needs, simply contact our business office and we will give you more information regarding after-hours drop-off. Every Wednesday in our dining room from 6:30 pm till Chapel The first and thirds Sunday of the month. If the month has five Sundays the fifth Sunday is a Chapel Sunday. Faith Baptist Church The second and fourth Sundays of the month we transport to Faith Baptist Church on Washington Stree in Auburn. Transport starts at 10:30 am.

Joselyns' Corner Messages from the Shelter Manager Luke 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Lamentations 3:22-23 22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Martins—Ana, Luis, and their three children, Maya (10), Jonah (7), and little Rosa (2)—lost their apartment when Luis’s seasonal work dried up and an unexpected medical bill drained their savings. For weeks they slept in their car, moving between friends’ couches and the church parking lot, trying to hold onto school routines, part-time odd jobs, and each other. Pride and fear made asking for help hard, but when the car finally failed them, Ana called the number she’d been given at the school and they arrived, exhausted and ashamed, at Hope Haven Gospel Mission. Hope Haven’s dormitory smells of strong coffee and warm blankets. The staff greeted them with quiet, practical kindness: a bunk for the kids, a cot for Ana and Luis, hot meals, and a place to do laundry. The mission’s chapel became a place the family could breathe and pray together—something they hadn’t been able to do without crying in private. The children were enrolled in the mission’s tutoring program, letting Maya and Jonah keep up with schoolwork while Rosa had time in the playroom. Hope Haven is a small, faith-based shelter without in-house case managers or counselors, but the staff know the community’s network well. Instead of limiting help to beds and meals, they quickly connected the Martins to outside resources: a nearby community health clinic for Luis’s medical needs, the county’s housing hotline, and a nonprofit that provides rental assistance. Someone at the mission called a regional mental-health agency and helped schedule a counseling intake for Ana, who’d been carrying deep anxiety since everything fell apart. Most importantly, a volunteer coordinator at Hope Haven helped the family prepare a housing packet—ID copies, proof of school enrollment, a simple budget, references, and a one-page letter explaining their situation. The mission’s director wrote an attestation letter describing the family’s commitment to steady work and stability, which landlords and agencies often appreciate. The mission also provided transportation to meetings and appointments and a small fund to cover application fees and a temporary storage unit so the Martins didn’t have to leave their few belongings behind. Because the mission knew local caseworkers, they referred the Martins to a case manager at the county’s family services office. The case manager met the family at Hope Haven, reviewed the packet, and helped them apply for rapid rehousing vouchers. With coordinated effort—Hope Haven’s practical support, the case manager’s advocacy, and the family’s persistence—Luis secured steady part-time work at a landscaping company that offered benefits, and Ana found a job as a school aide after completing a quick certification the mission had helped arrange. Within three months they were approved for a rental subsidy and found a modest two-bedroom apartment near the kids’ school. The move-in was small and quiet: volunteers from the mission brought boxes, beds, and comforters. On the day they turned the key, Maya drew a crayon picture to hang in the kitchen; Jonah declared the closet “his fortress,” and Rosa toddled from room to room like the apartment was a new playground. Hope Haven didn’t do everything—the case manager, community agencies, and the family’s own hard work were essential—but the shelter’s willingness to connect, accompany, and advocate made the difference. Months later, the Martins still visited Hope Haven to volunteer meals and to share their story in the chapel, not to ask for help but to remind others that a combination of human compassion and community coordination can restore stability and dignity to a family that once had nowhere to sleep. Scan to donate

Hope Haven Gospel Mission has been assisting the community since 1982. Our History Hope Haven Gospel Mission was established in 1982 by a group of pastors that had a burden for the homeless and the hurting people on the streets of Lewiston.

We have a men's shelter, a women's shelter, a food pantry, a clothing closet, and God's Kitchen. At Hope Haven Gospel Mission. Contact Us If you have any questions about Hope Haven, about donating, or are interested in volunteering, send a message to us directly using the fields below: Office Hours Send Your details were sent successfully!

We are looking into having life skill classes for our guests. Confidence Building Classes These classes will assist our guest to build their self-confidence in not only their homemaking skills but their professional lives as well. 1 Budgetting How to budget income so that all bills are paid and a little saved for a rainy day. 2 Better Home Cleaning or keeping your home clean can be daunting. Creating a cleaning schedule can help keep you organized and not overwhelmed. 3 Coming Soon Coming Soon 4 Coming Soon Coming Soon Get in Touch This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content.

We are on X, Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, and Youtube Media Contact: Pastor Willie Ponds Office: 207-457-5710 Cell: 904-930-8585 wponds85@gmail.com Mail: 209 Lincoln Street, Lewiston, ME 04240 Email Me!

We have a solid team here at Hope Haven Gospel Mission, Pastor Willie Ponds is the Executive Director, Joselyn Griggs is the Shelter Manager, R. Anthony Feole is the Security Director Joselyn Griggs Shelter Manager, R. Anthony Feole Security Director, V. Renee Robinson Ponds Communication & Events Director, Jeffrey Hutchinson Maintenance Supervisor, Dawn Page Receptionist, Marjorie Housekeeping, Hope Haven Leadership The dedicated team at Hope Haven is committed to serving those in need with care and compassion. We strive to be the hands and feet of Christ while working constantly to ensure that the dignity of everyone we encounter is maintained and that physical and spiritual needs are met. https://www.zazzle.com/seeing_scripture Pastor Willie Ponds Executive Director • pastorwilliepondshhgm @gmail.com Hailing from Norfolk, Virginia, and nurtured in the Cavalier Manor area of Portsmouth, Pastor Ponds is a dedicated servant of faith, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, and a former professional basketball athlete with a 15-year tenure in the NBA and FIBA leagues. Alongside his beloved wife, Verlene Robinson Ponds, they are blessed with a family of five children. His journey of service includes a significant tenure as Shelter Manager and Chapel Pastor at Union Mission in Norfolk, Virginia, for half a decade. His commitment to ministry continued at Trinity Rescue Mission in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as Study Hall Coordinator, Bible Teacher, and Chaplain at Signature Medical Center from August 2007 until 2018. Presently, he is the Assistant Pastor and Outreach Pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Auburn, Maine, serving under the guidance of Senior Pastor Jon Case. Pastor Ponds is well-equipped with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, Christian Education, and Biblical Studies, focusing on both the Old and New Testaments, from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia; and finishing his studies with seminary school in Richmond, Virginia. His pastoral calling was affirmed through his licensing and ordination at Grove Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia, under the mentorship of Dr. Melvin O. Marriner, Senior Pastor Joselyn Griggs Shelter Manager • joselyngriggshhgm@gmail.com Hailing from Caguas, Puerto Rico, and nurtured in the community of Springfield, Massachusetts, Joselyn is a testament to faith and family. A devoted follower of Christ, she has shared a loving partnership with her husband, Bruce Griggs, for a quarter of a century and is the proud mother of five. Her proficiency shines in her command of Microsoft Office tools, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Office Management, Joselyn’s leadership has spanned a diverse array of roles. At Hope Haven Gospel Mission, she has skillfully overseen operations in Security, Food Service, and Donations, meticulously managed financial records, and ensured the integrity of all monetary transactions. In addition to her financial acumen, she diligently administers the payroll and oversees all procurement for the mission, ensuring the organization’s needs are met with precision and care. Security Director • anthonyfeolehhgm@gmail.com Hailing from Harlem, NY, by way of Boston, MA. He has quickly become a vital part of Hope Haven Gospel Mission. Anthony has shown a passion for helping others and keeping with our motto “Caring Like Christ”. He provides security for our facility, guests, and employees around the clock. Anthony will also assist in other day-to-day operations. Anthony comes from a security background that has assisted us here at Hope Haven Gospel Mission. V. Renee Robinson Ponds Communication & Event Director • reneepondshhgm@gmail.com Hailing from Portsmouth, Va and raised in Greenville, Ms. She returned to Portsmouth in her teens, a devoted follower of Christ. Has been married to Pastor Willie Ponds for 17 years and is mother of 5. She attended Tidewater Community College working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education from 1983-1985. Mrs. Ponds brings her vast experience to community outreach, and her years of ministry experience. She is looking forward to working with the Lewiston and Auburn communities.

Volunteer at Hope Haven Gospel Mission to assist us with helping our community Volunteer With Us! Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us here at Hope Haven Gospel Mission! Whether you're a student looking for community service credit or intern hours, a group who would like to schedule a work day, or a family or individual who would like give a couple hours of your time, we want to hear from you! Our volunteers are a valued part of our team here at Hope Haven and we could not do what we do without you! Time is a truly valuable resource and we appreciate every single individual who sacrifices in order to serve our community alongside us. No amount of time is too small. For more information: Call our main line at (207) 783-6086 Use the Contact Us button below Email directly at hopehavengospelmission@gmail.com . Feel free to download our application and fill it out to bring with you when you visit. We hope to see you soon! Contact Us Now Download Application Directions to Hope Haven

We have a men's shelter, a women's shelter, a food pantry, a clothing closet, and God's Kitchen. At Hope Haven Gospel Mission. Look at Joselyn's corner for upcoming projects and events. No pets allowed in the facility. Our Impact (Caring like Christ) Meeting the needs of the individuals that come through our doors and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus is the driving force behind this ministry. Hope Haven certainly has a faithful, committed foundation of generous donors, which is evident not just in the accounting office but in all areas of the shelter. The support of caring neighbors helps to make a real and lasting impact in the lives of the men, women, and children we serve. Friends and neighbors from all over central Maine stop in to donate food, clothing, household goods, supplies, and even their valuable time, to help those in our community who need it most. Because of the support we receive from the community and even from beyond the borders of Lewiston/Auburn, we can continue providing much-needed assistance to the hungry, homeless, and underserved. We are in dire need of 5-gallon buckets with lids, breakfast items, such as cereal, instant oatmeal, pop tarts, milk, and breakfast bars. We would also need coffee, sugar, creamer, juice powder mix, large coffee filters, and paper products Providing Nourishment Provided 24,987 meals in 2025, that is an additional, 5,326 meals from 2024 Giving Shelter Provided 9,776 Nights of Emergency Shelter in 2025 that is an additional 2,776 from 2024 Food Pantry & Clothing Served 1,987 visitors through our Giveaway Center in 2025. Providing Nourishment Over 2,000 meals are served in our soup kitchen to residents and neighbors every month. Our food pantry is also a source of food for many in our community. We are grateful to all of the vendors, grocery stores, local growers, and individuals who provide food for Hope Haven's soup kitchen and food pantry. Thank you for visiting Hope Haven Gospel Mission. We appreciated hearing about your church and sharing who we are and the work we do. Your interest, time, and kindness meant a great deal to us. Thank you to DaVinci Italian Eatery, KFC, Panera Bread, Buffalo Wild Wings, Roy's Hamburger and Steak Restaurant, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and Lewiston House of Pizza for your generous support.Your kindness and partnership made a meaningful difference, and we are truly grateful for your commitment to our community. Thank you for helping us nourish and uplift those we serve. Hope Haven Gospel Mission would like to thank the Lewiston Fire Department for the donation of, Turkeys, soda., stuffing and pies for our Thanksgiving Dinner Hope Haven Gospel Mission would like to thank all the volunteers who came and assisted with our Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Meal We will be proving a Thanksgiving meal from 11 am to 1 pm in our dining room. If you are retired or disabled and unable to make it to our dining room and live in Lewiston/Auburn please contact us at (207) 783-6086 to sign up to have a meal delivered to you.

This is a list of our current needs. If you have any questions please contact us. Ways to Support Hope Haven We are in dire need of breakfast items, such as cereal, instant oatmeal, pop tarts, milk, and breakfast bars. We would also need coffee, sugar, creamer, juice powder mix, large coffee filters. Interested in helping out but not sure where to begin? There are many ways to provide support for Hope Haven. Be sure to scroll all the way down! Through donations of supplies, clothing, and household items. Winter hats Winter gloves Through drives or campaigns with local organizations to meet a specific need. (Non-perishable food, hygiene items, socks, winter clothing, etc.) Share our website links and Facebook posts. Use Paypal to offer financial support. Use Amazon Smile to help raise support. Use our Fundraising page Volunteer as an individual, family, or group. Plus size clothing for men and women Pray for us! (<--Very important!) Men's underwear all sizes Our generous donors and volunteers make providing vital rescue and recovery services possible, free of charge, to anyone in our community who has need of them. Explore the various ways to join us in meeting the needs of the men, women, and children we serve. All gifts are tax deductible, and rest assured, we always protect your personal information. Review Us Click Here Scan to donate Giving takes many forms. Our Current List of Needs: Hygiene: shampoo deodorant razors shave cream toothbrushes toothpaste for men, women, children pads & tampons, varied absorbency Clothing & Linens undergarments & men, women, especially larger sizes; children bath towels Soup Kitchen: styrofoam 8 oz. cups, 8-9" plates, small bowls plastic cutlery napkins paper towels 33 gallon trash bags disposable salt & pepper shakers sugar coffee Ketchup Mayonnaise Children: diapers: N, 1, 2, & 5 baby wipes infant crib winter gear Miscellaneous: HE laundry detergent dryer sheets bleach latex-free gloves Bleach Liquid floor cleaner Paper towels Napkins Toilet paper Donate Items