Bridging the Gap
envisioning a community in which everyone is given the opportunity to thrive & live with dignity
209 Eastern Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330 207-248-1782 bridgingthegapaugusta@gmail.com
Addies's Attic Clothing Bank
Basic Essentials Hygiene Pantry
Resource Connection, Support & Centralized Helping Fund (CHeF)
Bridging the Gap is a non-profit program of Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church & a Partner Program of United Way of Kennebec Valley
Our Staff
Sarah Miller
Administrative Director
Sarah has a background in sociology, organizational development, the healing arts and sustainable communities.
She has worked for over 18 years in capacities related to community building including local food and agriculture, human wellbeing and social justice.
Sarah's interests, passions and skills all lend themselves to her current role at Bridging the Gap which she has held since spring of 2017. She relies heavily on systems thinking and the strong belief that the best solutions arise out of the distillation of many voices. Sarah works to incorporate the same values that guide BTG into her personal life: respect, dignity, empowerment and community engagement.
When she is not at work, you might find her writing poetry, eating Indian food, taking a hike or spending time with her family in Massachusetts.
Robin Hughes
Director of The Basic Essential's Pantry
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Robin has been with Bridging the Gap since December 2021. She has been working in the non-profit world for the last 15 years. Her background includes managing volunteers, food pantries, clothing banks, Meals on Wheels sites and assisting older Mainers with food insecurity.
In her spare time Robin enjoys paddleboarding, hiking, swimming, snowshoeing and skiing. She also loves getting out west to visit her two sons and grandkids!
Melissa Furrow
Director of Addie's Attic
Melissa started with Bridging the Gap as a volunteer in the fall of 2018 and quickly found her place in Addie’s Attic.
Melissa joined the BTG staff at the end of 2019 as the Floor and Service Manager. She became known for her style and sense of fashion—customers would go crazy over the outfits she put on the mannequins.
Being part of the Volunteer Program gave her a sense of purpose and inclusion that was lacking in her life and supported her in taking necessary steps toward becoming the healthiest version of herself.
Melissa has walked the reality of chronic physical illness, mental illness, sexual assault and substance use disorder. Her family did not give up on her and she did not give up on herself, recognizing that the only person who could save her was herself.
​Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her son and her family, tending to her gardens, reading, painting, walking in nature or hanging out by the water.
Sam Daniels
Director of Resource Connection, Support and Centralized Helping Fund (CHeF)
Sam became part of the team at Bridging the Gap in January of 2022. Sam joins us bringing her own lived experiences such as childhood traumas, substance use disorder, domestic violence, and incarceration. She has a passion for helping people and accepting people just as they are. Sam is eager to leave a positive impact on her community in the same areas that others have helped her.
She is currently enrolled at the University of Maine at Augusta where she is seeking a major in Mental Health and Human Services with a Minor in Behavioral Science.
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Outside of her busy schedule Sam likes to spend time with her growing family and their dog Mabel. She enjoys being outside seeking adventures and loves discovering new walking trails. She also likes kayaking out to camp and is an avid disc golfer.
Sheryl Taylor
Resource Connection, Support and Centralized Helping Fund (CHeF)
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Sheryl started with Bridging the Gap in April 2024. Sheryl is part of our Resource Team.
Sheryl has endured physical illness, childhood trauma and sexual trauma which she uses as a strength in helping others. Sheryl is always willing to share her stories and life experiences if it helps another person experiencing something similar.
Sheryl comes to us with development, fundraising, business and teaching experience.
Outside of work, Sheryl enjoys time with her son, the ocean, her dogs, her pool, crafts and helping others.
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Gayle Dinsmore
Operations Support Staff
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Gayle began her journey at Bridging the Gap in the winter of 2019 as a Community Warming Center Monitor. After taking a break, she rejoined the Warming Center team in 2021 and also serves as the Drop-In Center Monitor during the off-season. Additionally, Gayle plays a supporting role on the days Addie’s Attic & Basic Essentials are open.
Gayle brings her own life experience as a survivor of spousal abuse and alcoholism. She has learned to deal with the challenges that life has presented. Gayle is MHRT-C certified and stays busy serving the community as a PSS. When not at Bridging the Gap, Gayle enjoys her grandchildren and going to camp down east.
Theresea
Addie's Attic Assistant
Thelma Davis
Support Staff
Thelma started as a dedicated volunteer in 2017, contributing over 1200 hours that year. She enjoys being part of something and giving back to the community.
When she first arrived at the Warming Center, Thelma was homeless and sleeping in her Jeep. Through hard work and determination, she slowly changed her circumstances. She moved into her own apartment, bought a new vehicle and became the first graduate of the Building Bridges Volunteer Program at BTG.
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In 2020, Thelma was invited to join the BTG staff. She worked behind the scenes on all the details that help keep the place running smoothly from sorting, stocking and filling and labeling bottles in the hygiene pantry, to keeping the staff kitchen in good working order. Thelma also cooked and brought in portioned-out food for the staff, volunteers and guests to enjoy so that no-one went hungry. She was a seamstress and replaced zippers on donated winter coats.
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When Thelma was not at Bridging the Gap, you would find her volunteering at Project Fresh Start, tending to her houseplants or rocking out to music with the windows down in her vehicle.
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THANK YOU, THELMA!