Business Minds

Hope Squad Maine hosted a “Love and Gratitude” open house in Portland to inform the public about the group’s mission and the work done by its volunteers.Matt Brown, founder of the nonprofit organization, said Hope Squad Maine started as a simple idea to help people who are homeless.”I thought it was maybe me and one or two other friends in the Prius with a thing of hot chocolate and a bag of socks. I didn’t necessarily see beyond that if this could happen,” Brown said.But Brown wound up purchasing a retired ambulance and he and dozens of volunteers are able to offer tables of food and clothing. “They show you that they care and that you matter and that you’re important,” said Amber Lesperance, a volunteer with Hope Squad Maine. “I was on the streets of Portland for three and a half years, up until February of this recent year. So when Hope Squad started, I was receiving what they were providing.”Lesperance, who is now nine months sober, said getting to help those in situations she was once in is the perfect way to pay it forward for the help that she got.”It felt really, really good to be able to see them, know that they’re OK that they’re doing however that they may be doing offer some support and some advice, but also to be like a beacon,” she said. “If I can do it, you can do it.”Brown said the next few months will likely be some of the most active time for Hope Squad volunteers, especially as the temperatures get colder as winter approaches.”Wintertime is one of those times where people are going to need help 24 hours a day,” he said.Brown said Hope Squad is prepared to take on the challenges the colder months bring, especially with the help of other local nonprofits that are working side by side with his organization.”I definitely see us being out more, but in cooperation and in coordination with the other agencies that are out there. Not on an island,” Brown said. “We want to make sure we’re helping the wider community the best we can.”Hope Squad Maine is prepared to meet the challenges of the colder months with the help of other organizations.People who want to support Hope Squad Maine can learn how to donate or volunteer through the group’s Facebook page.