The floor sparkles as Scott McClelland passes the mop over it in the living room area of the St. Martin de Porres homeless shelter in Lewiston. The shelter volunteer was once a guest at the home after he came upon hard times in his life. “I had no where to go, and this place was here for me in my hour of need,” he said. McClelland now helps out twice a week cleaning the home, and performs cooking duties once a month. “I now have an apartment and on my feet. There is no way I could ever repay for the kindness of this mission,” McClelland said. The shelter is operated by its founder and executive director, Irenee Richard, a Domincan brother, and its more than 80 volunteers, who refer to the homeless as guests. “It’s important for our guests to maintain their personal dignity and self-respect. We believe in putting flesh to the Gospel message of helping others. We operate by the grace of God, generosity of volunteers and donors,” Brother Richard said.

Jose Leiva/ Sun Journal