Fair Tide

Fair Tide: [¦fer ′tīd] ---a tidal current setting in such a direction as to increase the speed of a vessel.

Our mission:
The mission of Fair Tide is to provide short-term affordable housing in a safe dignified setting for people who are homeless. Fair Tide, with the help of the community, provides advocacy, support and referrals to assist our residents in their move toward permanent housing, financial stability and self-sufficiency.

Our vision:
Fair Tide envisions a time when no one is homeless. We all deserve to live in a home with the skills necessary to maintain a quality lifestyle and contribute to the community.

Our belief:
With self-respect and respect for others we are healthy contributing members of society.
We should work towards community, economic and environmental sustainability.
The Thrift Store is a community resource for recycling, job training and volunteerism.
Our community is strengthened and enriched by caring for one another.

Our history:
Fair Tide was established in 1998 by a group of southern Maine and seacoast New Hampshire citizens who were concerned for their neighbors, family and friends who were homeless or living
in temporary or substandard housing. 

Fair Tide's Transitional Housing Program accepted its first participants in May 2000. Our program guides participants toward self-sufficiency through individualized support, referrals to community services, and advocacy. Our transitional housing faclity is located on Wentworth Street in downtown Kittery, Maine. 

The Wentworth Street structure was aquired and funding was raised to renovate the rundown apartment building, bringing it to new heights of energy efficiency and quality of construction. The building provides 5 apartments, a small common area and lending library for the families who reside there.

Also on the property is a large yard where our resident children are able to play, adults gather and all enjoy a safe and secure outdoor environment. With support and donations from the community, our residents installed in a flower and vegetable garden in summer 2009, growing a bountiful harvest of tomatoes, beans and flowers.

In January 2003, the Fair Tide Thrift Store was established at 200 State Road in Kittery, Maine providing a source of revenue for our Transitional Housing Program, in addition to low-cost clothing and furnishings for the community.  In the fall of 2006, the Thrift Store moved to its current location at 15 State Road, Kittery, Maine.

Fair Tide is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that depends on community support and involvement, and in turn provides the community with productive and active citizens.