Exploring the many meanings of “home”

For me, being home means being greeted by the wagging tails of my dogs, standing by the bookshelves full of stories I’ve taken from one place to the next, and the laughter I share with my loved ones filling the rooms.

At Tedford Housing, our mission is clear: to move people out of homelessness and into homes. But I’ve learned that home means something different to each individual we serve – each story is a testament to the power of stability and belonging.

When our team of Tedford staff and volunteers man stalls at local events, they invite community members to paint miniature wooden houses. Some recreate their childhood homes, while others imagine stone castles or quaint cabins in the woods. Whatever their artistic approach, I endeavour to ask everyone what feelings or images come to mind when they think of ‘home’.

This exercise has unearthed cherished memories: the smell of a favorite meal being prepared in the kitchen, the laughter shared around the dinner table, or the chaos of family gatherings where a pet runs across the room with muddy paws. Some describe the security of physical protection – a strong roof over their heads and walls that keep out the cold winter winds.

For one member of the community, home was synonymous with accessibility. As he approached the Tedford table in his wheelchair, he told me that his grandson had recently spent a weekend building a ramp to the entrance of his home. He eagerly showed me a photo he had taken with his phone; his grandson was all smiles as he put the final boards in place. As he put his phone back in his pocket, he thoughtfully explained that this image not only documented an exciting structural addition to his home, but rather it captured the moment he gained his independence and transformed his home into an oasis.

Others emphasize the emotional comfort and support found within those walls – having someone to encourage you, listen to your worries, and celebrate your successes. Two young girls who recreated Barbie’s dream house with pink paint talked about their sisterhood. They laughed and told stories about whispered ghost stories under their blankets, painting their bunk bed in their parents’ absence, and holding hands while ice skating on the pond in their backyard.

One attendee opened his arms and pointed to the open Brunswick town square that surrounded them, sharing that this community and its residents have renewed their faith in the concept of home. They feel most at home in their morning walks to grab coffee at the cafe down the street, in their greetings to neighborhood children while waiting for the bus, and in their smiles at the weekly farmers market.

As we plan to move to a new building, these considerations are at the forefront of our minds. Tedford will be expanding to accommodate more guests, and we look forward to making this new space our own – a place where each individual can find not only shelter, but stability, accessibility, comfort, community, and the foundation for new memories.

Our “Almost home“The fundraising campaign shows we are closer to achieving that vision. Groundbreaking is imminent and we are nearly at our $8.8 million goal, putting us on the cusp of creating a critical safety net for local families and individuals at risk of homelessness. This new emergency shelter will not only increase our capacity to support our community, but will ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives the care and resources they need to get back on their feet. This transition not only represents growth for Tedford, but also a renewed commitment to the diverse and deeply personal definitions of what it means to truly have a place to call home.

Katrina Webster is a development and communications officer at Tedford Housing, the operator of the Brunswick-area homeless shelter.

Copy the story link

” Previous

Next ”