Fresh Start Sober Living

03/19/2026

🏠 Help Us Turn Houses into Homes at Fresh Start Sober Living!

At Fresh Start Sober Living, our mission is to provide safe, affordable housing for individuals seeking long-term recovery. To keep our doors open and our rooms welcoming, we are reaching out to our amazing community for a helping hand.

We are currently in need of essential items to furnish our sober houses and support our residents. If you have any of the following items in good condition, please consider donating:

Bedroom Essentials: Beds, bedding (sheets, blankets, comforters), and dressers.
Appliances: Washers and dryers, stoves, refrigerators, etc..
Furniture: Couches, dining tables, chairs, and other household pieces.

🌟 Other Ways to Give:

If you don’t have furniture to spare, we are also gratefully accepting:

Cash donations (directly supports our members).
Food & Pantry staples.
Gift cards (Grocery stores, clothing stores, or general retail).

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a massive difference in someone’s recovery journey.

How to Donate:

📍 Drop-off/Pick-up Info: 100 Center St. Bangor, Maine 04401 or contact us at (207)481-8201 to schedule a pick-up.

📲 Venmo: www.venmo.com/u/freshstartbangor

📩 Message us directly or comment below if you have items to donate!

Thank you for being a part of the "Fresh Start" for our residents. Please Share this post to help us spread the word! 💙

Use Venmo to connect with Fresh Start, Inc () - Fresh Start Sober Living Homes

03/06/2026

🌟 Fresh STARt Spotlight 🌟

From 37 Years of Darkness to a Legacy of Honor: The Kevin Masse Story ⛓️➡️☀️

Member’s First Name: Kevin Masse
Admission Date: 5/12/25 🗓️

🏚️ Life Before Fresh Start
What was life like before coming to Fresh Start Sober Living?

It all started at the age of 13; I started to smoke ci******es and w**d because I was overweight and wanted to fit in 👦. From there, it progressed into much harder substances like co***ne, methamphetamine, and he**in ⛓️. As someone who struggled to fit in, these substances allowed me to escape and made me feel a part of something. Slowly, I started to lose everything, which ultimately led me to selling drugs to survive and to support my habit.

During my active use, I witnessed many friends die of this disease, and even lost my brother to alcoholism 🕊️. His death put me at a crossroad and ended up being the catalyst to change. At the age of 50, I was broken, lost, grieving the death of my brother and my mom to cancer, and facing prison time for drug trafficking ⚖️. That’s when I decided that I needed to honor myself, my brother, and my mother. I applied for membership to Wellspring’s rehab for men. It took 3 months of consistently calling until I was accepted into their program. While I was at Wellspring, I heard of a sober living program everyone was talking about called Fresh Start. The day I graduated is when I got the Fresh Start I needed. I immediately moved into Fresh Start day 🔑.

🏠 When I First Moved In
What do you remember about your first days or weeks here?

On May 12, 2025, I moved into one of the Fresh Start houses. I was excited to be moving on from Wellspring, and at the same time, I was scared about whether I was going to be able to make it 😰. I have never done anything like this before, and my past experiences with recovery weren’t that successful.

Immediately, I met some other guys who understood me. Their experience and support made me hopeful that I could do this ✨. I was excited to have my own room and to not be living with a roommate, but I was willing to do so if needed 🛏️. Every guy in the house, and those working in the office, were very welcoming and supportive. For the first time in a very long time, I felt like I found and belonged to a family again 🫂.

☀️ Life Today
What does your life look like now?

Today, I am a year and a half clean and sober 🏆. I am still living in the same house and even upgraded into a bigger and better room! 🔝 I have great connections with my housemates, community, and reconnected with family and friends. I may not have everything figured out, especially when it comes to my financial situation, but I do know that as long as I don’t pick up, everything will work out 🙏. Every day I think about my mother and brother, and I hope that they both are proud of me. I know that I am proud of myself, and that is what keeps me going 💖.

📣 Words of Encouragement?

"As someone who battled addiction for 37 years ⏳, I know how hard it is to find recovery. If I could give someone advice it would be to never give up. Relapse doesn’t always mean failure. As someone who took 37 years to get it, I believe that there is hope for anyone. If I can do it, anyone can do it! 🙌"

🤝 Support Our Mission

Success stories like Kevin’s are made possible through community support. If you feel moved by his journey, please consider making a donation.

100% of all donations collected go directly toward our members' dues, helping men who are working hard to rebuild their lives afford a safe, supportive place to stay during their recovery.

Donate via Venmo: www.venmo.com/u/freshstartbangor

Every dollar helps provide a "Fresh Start" for someone in need. 💙

03/04/2026

Attention community members:

​At Fresh Start Sober Living, we believe that the journey to recovery begins with a sense of dignity, safety, and comfort. For many of our new members, walking through our doors is the first step toward a brand-new life—but it can also be an overwhelming transition. ​We want every person who joins our community to feel more than just "checked in." We want them to feel welcomed home.

​Why Your Support Matters:

​A bed is more than just a place to sleep; it’s a sanctuary. Providing a new member with fresh, warm bedding is a powerful way to say: "You are worth it, and you belong here." To help us create this environment of healing, we are currently seeking donations of new or gently used bedding.

​Items We Need:

​Twin/Full/Queen-sized sheets (sets or individual)
​Warm blankets and comforters
​New pillows (not used)
​Pillowcases

​How to Donate:

​If you have items to contribute, please reach out! Every donation helps wrap a neighbor in the support they need to stay focused on their recovery.

​Drop-off Location: 100 Center St. Bangor, Maine
​Drop-off Times: (Monday - Friday 9 to 4)
​Contact: (207)481-8201

​Thank you for being the heart of our community and for helping our members start their "Fresh Start" with the comfort they deserve. 💙

​

03/02/2026

Fresh Start Sober Living is currently accepting applications for both our women's and men's programs. If you or anyone you know is looking for safe affordable housing in recovery, please have them apply by following the directions below.

02/23/2026

Fresh Start Sober Living is currently accepting applications for both our men's and women's program. Follow the directions below to apply.

02/06/2026

Food insecurity has hit FreshStart. Anyone willing to donate Hannaford gift cards please DM us.

02/06/2026

🌟 Fresh STARt Spotlight: Jade’s Journey 🌟

At Fresh Start, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to shine. Today, we are shining the light on one of our incredible members, Jade. Her story is a powerful testament to what happens when compassion meets determination.

The Wilderness: Before Fresh Start:

"Lost, hopeless, too far gone—these were just some of the ways people would describe me. For 20 years, I cycled in and out of addiction. I went from prescription drugs to obtaining an education, building a career, and becoming a mother of three incredible girls, only to lose everything—including them, their father, my husband, my homes, my work ethic, and my identity.

In the tent I called home, I prayed to God that I could just go to sleep and not wake up. My family deserved better, and I couldn't give them better. Who I was at my core screamed and tried to fight to the surface while the drugs, trauma, guilt, and shame continued to consume her. On September 30th, 2024, I left my tent for St. Joe’s, not realizing I was headed toward my salvation. I was dying, weighing only 91 pounds. Endocarditis and severe full-body infections were what ultimately saved me. I detoxed, fought, and made a plan. I chose a fresh start."

The Transformation:

"On October 14th, 2024, I moved into Fresh Start. I jumped all in—attending daily meetings, chairing meetings, and creating a community. I finally felt seen, understood, and accepted. I was no longer just surviving; I was living.

Today, just shy of a year and a half into recovery, I don't recognize the person I was. I have an incredible tribe of people and have reconnected with my family. I now manage a house of six other women, and being a part of their journey means everything to me. Recovery reignited my will to live and the drive to do better every day."

A Message of Hope:

"The person I was a year and a half ago contributed to the woman I am today. From survival, destruction, pain, and guilt grew compassion, resilience, hope, and pride. Fresh Start gave me a safe place to call home and the tools to live a better life. If I can make it, anyone can."

How You Can Help:

Jade’s transformation was made possible because she had a safe, supportive environment to heal. However, the transition into recovery often comes with financial barriers.

All donations received go directly to supporting members like Jade with their monthly dues. Your generosity ensures that no one is turned away from their "Fresh STARt" due to a lack of funds. Help us provide the safety and stability someone needs to grow up, show up, and glow up!

✨ Donate via Venmo: http://www.venmo.com/u/freshstartbangor

✨️Donations can be made in person by stopping into our office at 100 Center St. Bangor, Maine 04401

01/30/2026

FreshStart is now certified by the Maine CDC to test for HIV and Hepatitis C.
Thanks to EsBee at the CDC and Jeniffer at the City of Bangor Public Health for getting us through the "prick" test.

12/07/2025

12/05/2025

✨ A Fresh Start Awaits: Openings in Men's and Women's Sober Living!

​The cold weather is here, and at Fresh Start Sober Living, we want to ensure everyone has a safe and supportive place to continue their journey.

​We are currently accepting applications for immediate placement in both our dedicated Men's and Women's Sober Living residences.

​Our Mission: Safe, affordable housing for individuals seeking long-term recovery.

​The demand for recovery housing increases during the winter months, and these openings will not last long. Don't wait—secure your spot in a structured, compassionate environment today!
​Interested in joining the Fresh Start family?

​Visit our website to apply: www.freshstartrecovery-maine.org
​Call us: (207)481-8201 *Fill out application first*

​We look forward to welcoming new members into our community.

​

Fresh Start Sober Living provides certified recovery residences in Bangor, Maine. Contact us to learn about our safe, supportive housing options.

12/04/2025

🎄 A Fresh Start Holiday Wish: Help Us Keep Things Spinning! 🧺

​Hello wonderful community members! As the holiday season sparkles around us, we at Fresh Start Sober Living are reaching out with a heartfelt request, wrapped in the spirit of giving.

​This time of year is all about renewed hope and making a Fresh Start—a mission we strive for every single day with the men and women in our program.
​Right now, we are in desperate need of a little holiday magic for our homes: Washers and Dryers are at the top of the list.
​A working washer and dryer are essential tools for our residents. They represent dignity, independence, and the ability to focus fully on their recovery journey without the added stress of basic needs. Our current machines are well past their prime and are causing constant issues.

​🙏 Could You Be Our Holiday Angel?
​If you are upgrading your laundry equipment, or if your business has commercial appliances ready for donation, please consider giving the gift of clean clothes this Christmas season!
​We are looking for working, reliable washers and dryers (standard or heavy-duty/commercial are both welcome!).
​Donations are tax-deductible and incredibly impactful.

​This holiday, you can provide more than just a machine; you can give the gift of stability and confidence to men building new, sober lives.
​If you are able to help, or if you know a business that might be able to donate, please contact us!

​Call: Jason Gammon (207)816-0030
Email: jason.gammon@freshstartrecovery-maine.org
📍 Drop-off/Pick-up options available

​From all of us at Fresh Start Sober Living, we wish you a healthy, happy, and peaceful holiday season. Thank you for wrapping our community in your generosity!
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