St Martin de Porres Residence

Brother Irenee Richard, a Dominican friar and Lewiston native, once befriended a young man named Alan who had been homeless since the age of 14. When Alan tragically drowned at age 30, Brother Richard chose to honor his short life by creating a place where people experiencing homelessness would be welcomed, supported, and given the chance to rebuild. St. Martin de Porres Residence opened its doors in 1991. As Brother Richard said, “Our ministry is very simple. We welcome our guests with open arms. No matter what they have done or what their issues are, we accept them where they are at, without judging them or labeling them… We are here to say that you are okay, and things will get better if you sincerely work at it.” We serve men over 18.

The St. Martin de Porres Residence is not a traditional homeless shelter. We are a free, temporary residence with a clear mission: to help our guests end homelessness in their own lives. We welcome individuals who are sober, working, and actively motivated to change their circumstances. We believe that those who are displaced want to regain independence and become productive members of the community again—they simply need a helping hand. Our clean, friendly environment helps guests restore dignity, confidence, and self‑esteem. Guests are referred to us by community partners. Each evening, they share a home‑cooked dinner that fosters connection and community. We are looking for volunteers to help prepare that meal.