Recreation, Summer & After School
For Pre-K and Daycare options, also go here.
After School
Boys and Girls Club
Portland Clubhouse offers after-school programs for children ages 7-18. The Clubhouse provides a safe environment for youth to spend their out of school time. With an annual membership to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, members can enjoy the learning center for homework assistance, the art room to be creative, get active in the Club’s gymnasium, cool off in the swimming pool and enjoy a nutritious snack or meal every day. $5 per year. No boy or girl is turned away if unable to pay the fee.
The Telling Room – Young Writers & Leaders Program
207-774-6064
Free afterschool literary arts program for international multilingual high school students
Intercultural Community Center Power School< 36 Patrick Drive, Westbrook 207-854-9700
After school programs designed to address specific needs of refugee, immigrant, and asylee families for children grades 3 to 8.
Summer
Portland Schools Multi-Lingual Office
150 Ocean Avenue
207-874-8135
The Multilingual Summer Program is a 4-week summer school for English Language Learners in Middle and High School. They meet for 4 hours a day, 4 days a week.
YMCA – Summer Camp Programs
207-874-1111
Summer camp programs with financial assistance – also take State subsidies and vouchers
Intercultural Community Center Power School
36 Patrick Drive, Westbrook
207-854-9700
Summer programs designed to address specific needs of refugee, immigrant, and asylee families for children grades 3 to 8.
SailMaine has a range of junior sailing lessons for ages 5-17. Though their website lists fees and says they are sold out, they have reserved some free spots for Welcoming the Stranger families. Just mention that your family is associated with Welcoming the Stranger. SailMaine will bend over backwards to accommodate new Mainers.
Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford offers week-long sessions for the summer, and families can choose any or all of those weeks to participate in. Programs cost $100 a week, but financial assistance is available for families who need it.
Recreation
Playgroup at the Westbrook Hub, 13 Reserve St. – Fridays 10:30-11:30. For parents/caregivers and babies 0-36 months old.
Portland Recreation offers before and after rec care for elementary aged children that takes place at the school. There are a limited number of fee waiver spots and they fill up quickly. More information can be found here, and you can register here.
Scholarship memberships are available for families receiving public assistance and/or with compelling personal circumstances. Scholarship memberships and admissions passes are free of charge for those who qualify. The scholarship membership enables a family to visit as many times per year as they wish. There are also two other low-cost opportunities that might interest you if you have families with young children:
$2 admission/person on First Fridays
$3 admission/person for anyone with an EBT card
Greenlight Studio
Playspace for kids. Also has a small cafe/seating for parents, etc.
Children’s Museum
Lots of opportunities for running and play and exploration. Is a little expensive.
EVO Fitness
Climbing gym. Very close to Westbrook.
Joker’s
In Westbrook. Slide, bounce house and big “tube system” as well as a lot of video games.
The Westbrook library
Has a fun place inside for kids to play, too.
Urban Air Trampoline Park
South Portland, near Home Depot. There are foam pits, obstacle courses, tubes and, shockingly enough, trampolines.
New Parents
Maine Families – A great start for all parents
Maine Families is a statewide network of community teams serving the needs of pregnant women and parents with newborns. The Maine Families Program understands that all parents want the best for their babies. We are on your side and we come right to your home. No matter what you need to give your family a great start, we are here to help you. If you are expecting a new baby or have a baby less than three months old, let us know how we can help. Coming to your own home at a time that works for you takes the worry away about transportation or time traveling with your child. Download the referral form here. We have interpreters for all our visits if needed.
The only qualifier is to be pregnant or have newborn 0-3 months to enroll. No insurance need, no cost. Families can work with us until child turns 3 yrs old if they want to.
They also have a crib program.
Early Head Start (Opportunity Alliance)
Family visiting program for income eligible families. “Parent Partners” make weekly home visits to pregnant mothers, and children age 0-3 and their families. The primary purpose is to build a healthy parent-child relationship. Components of the program include education and child development opportunities, social services referrals, and guidance and referrals for health, mental health, and nutrition concerns. No cost, no insurance requirement or immigration status requirement. Same services as Maine Families – don’t do both. You can do application over the phone: 207-553-5811.
Mental Health (Children)
For crisis call 774-HELP (4357) – Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
NOTE: Those listed here are specifically for children. For a more comprehensive list, go here.
Gateway Community Services
999 Forest Avenue, Suite 7
207-536-1590
Case management and counseling for immigrants – need MaineCare or insurance
Center for Grieving Children
The Multicultural Peer Support Program
207-775-5216
Opportunity Alliance Children and Youth Mental Health Services
207-523-5049
Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services (MEIRS)
222 St. John Street
Portland
207-241-8350
Case Management and mental health services to people with insurance.
Child Support
Mom to Mom of Maine
Provides support, gently used clothing, toys, etc.
Jewish Family Services
207-772-1959
(Diaper bank)
Birth Roots
101 State Street
207-772-4784
Provides free drop-in groups for infants 0-12 months and quarterly used clothing and baby goods sales.
Youth and Family Outreach
331 Cumberland Ave. Portland, ME 04103
207-874-1073
YFO strives to support the whole family through our resourceful staff and social work intern.
Applying for the DHHS Childcare Subsidy
NOTE: This is only for parents whose children are US Citizens!
The Process:
Set up account and apply online at MyMaineConnection.
Wait a couple of days and call Portland DHHS office follow prompts for phone interview. Be prepared for the call to last 30 minutes.
Call/e-mail CCSP in Augusta. (Email is more effective).
If a trustworthy friend/neighbor is seeking employment and qualifies as an unlicensed provider, then that might work. i.e., Employment for a friend and childcare for her. Not sure how that works, though (e.g. if unlicensed provider has to care for kids in unlicensed providers home). I know DHHS has been known to reimburse for babysitters – all questions for CCSP directly – perhaps just contact them first to see what options are available).
A roommate who agrees to care for the kids overnight would be simplest and avoid the time delays with DHHS eligibility, etc.
CCSP income guidelines
Contacts at DHHS CCSP