Thomas P Smith House

Pros

• They offer art programs to help with anxiety and stress.
• They help people get on track and do good work.
• The atmosphere is welcoming, with understanding staff and a polite front desk that supports people with disabilities and mental health needs.
• They help people who would otherwise be homeless.
• Shalom House provided housing for a client a year and a half ago, and the client is grateful.
• They do great things, and people can't say enough good things about them.
• They are a pleasure to deal with and do great work; Samantha B. and her team are highly regarded.
• They helped a family avoid homelessness after a serious accident.
• The staff are courteous and polite, and they are actively helping people.
• They provide housing and healthcare to adults at risk of chronic homelessness.

Cons

• They neglect their clients and don't provide any mental health services.
• They aren't up to fair market prices in Kittery, and the reviewer is not impressed with them.
• They can't get help for a friend and are said to do nothing for him.
• The front desk staff showed disrespect when the reviewer tried to discuss a referral.
• They told the reviewer to call back in 10 days, which was criticized as unacceptable.
• They are described as being only there to collect federal funding.
• After 12 years of being impressed, the reviewer now feels the organization is not impressive.

Review

Shalom House is described by many as a place where art, housing support, and genuine care come together to help people cope with anxiety, stress, and the daily challenges of life. Several reviewers speak of how going there to engage in art activities provides a calming outlet and a pathway to getting back on track. The atmosphere is often portrayed as welcoming and understanding, with staff who take the time to listen. Front-desk teams are frequently noted for their politeness and efforts to assist people, including those with disabilities and mental health concerns. Across the board, the center is presented not just as a shelter, but as a community hub that can keep people from becoming homeless in the first place.

Among the most heartfelt testimonials is one from Ana Marie Cornell, who expresses deep gratitude for the housing help she received about a year and a half ago. She thanks Shalom House and even attributes her gratitude to a higher source, saying she doesn't know where she would be without their support. This expression of relief and appreciation highlights the profound personal impact the program has had on at least some individuals, giving them a stable home and a renewed sense of possibility.

Not every experience is without friction, however. A reviewer describes a negative moment in the referral process, recounting disrespect from the front desk after requesting a call-back. The person was told there was no capacity to arrange a callback and was asked to wait ten days and call back instead. This account points to a communication hiccup that can leave potential clients feeling dismissed, even as others continue to praise the organization's mission and daily actions.

Many others emphasize the positive, praising the organization's ongoing work and its adaptability. One reviewer writes, "Always a pleasure dealing with Shalom House; they do great work," and another notes adherence to COVID-19 protocols upon arrival, recounting a smooth handoff process for documents with the team led by Samantha B. These reflections underscore a steady, professional team dynamic and a sense that the organization takes safety and procedural steps seriously while staying helpful and responsive.

There are also criticisms related to pricing and market perceptions. A reviewer questions whether Shalom House is aligned with fair market prices in Kittery and indicates diminished enthusiasm after a long relationship spanning roughly twelve years. This comment hints at a tension that can exist between mission-driven service and financial expectations, suggesting that some clients weigh value and pricing alongside the supportive services offered.

Personal histories shared in the reviews illustrate the transformative potential of Shalom House. One account describes being helped after a severe accident - falling from a roof and breaking both legs - and emphasizes how the organization aided the family in staying off the streets. The reviewer contrasts this experience with a different shelter that allegedly accused them of false things and threatened to separate their kids, noting that Shalom House's support stood in stark contrast to that earlier treatment. Such narratives highlight a spectrum of experiences in the broader shelter system, with Shalom House frequently appearing as a stabilizing and humane option.

Longtime involvement appears repeatedly as well. Several reviewers mention being a member for a long time, with one noting that homelessness days were a difficult period but that Shalom House provided a welcoming space and practical help. Even when health reasons limit how often they can participate, the sense of gratitude remains strong. The overarching thread is the confidence that Shalom House provides not only housing but a way to move forward, with one person underscoring that they wouldn't know where they'd be without the housing they received, paired with expressions of warmth in the community. Other comments reinforce the sense of a supportive environment where staff are courteous and the organization is described as a place that offers housing vouchers and a sense of belonging.

The collection of reviews also includes praise for specific staff members and a general sense that Shalom House is a trusted place to turn for help with housing and related needs. Instances of positive interactions with staff like Steven Bridges are cited, and there is repeated emphasis on the organization's role in helping people obtain housing vouchers and access to housing before moving forward with other life plans. The sentiment across many comments is that the people at Shalom House are kind, helpful, and welcoming - an essential resource for those who have faced housing insecurity or chronic homelessness.

Interwoven with the praise are a few cautionary notes that remind readers that experiences can vary. One reviewer notes the existence of a broader discussion about behavior, including a definition of passive-aggressive behavior as a form of hostility expressed indirectly. That kind of observation signals that, in any community organization, interactions can be nuanced and sometimes contentious, even as many others celebrate the positive impact of the work. A subset of comments also mentions concerns about whether services are equitably accessible for everyone, including people seeking help for friends or loved ones who may not receive the needed assistance, and one note raises the point about whether the center's focus is primarily on funding concerns.

Overall, the impressions paint a picture of an organization that is widely valued for its core mission: helping people secure housing, providing a welcoming, compassionate space, and supporting personal growth through art and community connection. The strongest endorsements come from those who have found housing stability, safety, and a renewed sense of possibility through Shalom House, often framed with gratitude and faith. While not every interaction is perfect, and a few criticisms about communication and pricing surface in the mix, the prevailing narrative is one of hopeful impact, dedicated staff, and a place that many consider essential in their journey toward stability and well-being.

Physicians

• Portland bone and joint specialists (0.2 miles)
• Scarborough Health Care (0.9 miles)
• Coastal Women's Healthcare (1 miles)
• Pediatric Cardiology Associates (1 miles)
• Scarborough Surgery Center (1.1 miles)
• Consultantsof Maine Cardiovascular PA (1.2 miles)
• Scarborough Family Medicine (1.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Thornton Heights United Methodist Church (0.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Hannaford Bros (1.5 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• The Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• El Rodeo (1.3 miles)
• Sebago Brewing Co (1.9 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1.9 miles)
• The Shipyard Brewpub (2 miles)
• El Rayo Taqueria (2.4 miles)
• O'Reilly's Cure (2.5 miles)
• Foulmouthed Brewing (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Scarborough Grounds (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Tandem Coffee + Bakery (3.1 miles)
• Yordprom Coffee Shop (3.1 miles)
• The Holy Donut (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)

Transportation

• Portland International Jetport (PWM) (2 miles)
• PWM Baggage Claim (2 miles)
• Northeast Air (2.1 miles)
• Portland Transportation Center (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Thompsons Point (2.4 miles)
• Western Promenade Park (2.6 miles)
• Bug Light Park (2.9 miles)
• Deering Oaks Park (3.3 miles)
• Congress Square Park (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Mercy Hospital (2.5 miles)
• Maine Medical Center - Chaplain's Office (2.9 miles)
• The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Mercy Hospital Infusion Unit (3.2 miles)
• Maine Medical Center-Brighton Campus (3.4 miles)
• HealthSouth (3.4 miles)