Miscellaneous
Migrant Education in Maine
If your mentee is working in agriculture/seafood or fish processing, their children might qualify for free supplemental educational services. This could include at-home tutoring, homework help, liaising with the schools, etc.
Financial Assistance
FAME Foreign Credentialing grant program - Up to $1,000 to help pay for costs associated with the process of becoming work-ready while awaiting issuance of a work permit. Examples of eligible costs include translation and evaluation of education documents, and fees related to obtaining a Maine driver's license (see our website for an expanded list of eligible expenses).
Scholarships for Maine Immigrants – SMI (Formerly “Portland ESL Scholarship Fund” )
The mission of Scholarships for Maine Immigrants (SMI), formerly Portland ESL Scholarship Fund, is to help local immigrants and refugees gain the English language and career skills necessary to achieve their educational and professional goals. Since 2000, SMI has awarded over 400 scholarships and $200,000 to fulfill this mission.
Prosperity Maine – Scholarship for asylum seekers
Financial Authority of Maine (FAME) – Search for Maine scholarships.
Scholarships of Immigrants and Refugees – A bunch of random ones.
Parents As Scholars – If they receive TANF there is a program through FEDCAP.
USM Promise Scholarship – For anyone, regardless of circumstance.
Maine Community Foundation – List of available scholarships.
Going Merry – Find Scholarships and Financial Aid. Lets you set up a profile and automatically filters potential matches.
FAME Scholarship searchable database – Invest in ME. Thorough filters so you don’t have to spend hours looking.
Maine Youth Action Network – Equity and Justice Scholarship (up to $2000 one time scholarship from MYAN for any higher education ventures).
Maine Youth Action Network – Micro Grants (up to $500 per “project”).
Financial
ProsperityME
In addition to their counseling, they have programs to help people get first/last/security deposits for rentals and scholarships for school.
Mission: ProsperityME empowers, through education and counseling, members of refugee and immigrant communities to invest in themselves to build financial stability, careers, businesses and wealth.
Vision: That all of Maine’s refugees, immigrants, and their families, and communities reach financial stability and improve their quality of life.
HOPE: Higher Opportunities Pathways to Employment
HOPE provides families with children with financial support for costs like childcare and transportation related to education and training programs beyond high school.
Credentialing Agencies
Link to Credentialing Agencies where qualifications can be evaluated and documented.
FAME assists with credentials evaluations
Transportation
General Overview from Portland of Opportunity
Metro Bus
114 Valley Street
207-774-0351
Regional Transportation Program
127 St. John Street
207-774-2666
(for those with disabilities)
Bikes for All Mainers Program
The Bikes for All Mainers Program is designed to provide an opportunity for adults who do not have financial access to bikes, are undocumented or recent American immigrants, or live in communities underserved by public transportation to acquire basic bicycle mechanic skills, learn to bicycle safely on Maine roadways, volunteer in their communities, and overcome some of their transportation challenges.
For information about the Summer Youth Pass, visit the Greater Portland Transit District page covering this topic.
Support Centers
Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center
Vision
That Greater Portland’s thriving immigrant community can reach its full human potential through full economic empowerment and civic inclusion.
Mission
The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center serves as the nucleus of collaborative efforts to strengthen the immigrant community through the attainment of three pillars of empowerment: language acquisition, economic integration and civic engagement.
Westbrook Community Policing Coordinator
Meg Perry (Social worker), 192 Brown St.
Asylum Process
Asylum in the United States
This document from Family Promise provides an excellent overview of the Asylum Process.
This document from ILAP provides excellent an overview of the 180-Day Asylum Clock.
A fact sheet describing what asylum in the US is.
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project helps low-income immigrants improve their legal status and works for more just and humane laws and policies affecting immigrants.
Defensive Asylum
UMaine Law School School Ayslum & The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
Asylum: How to apply for asylum in the United States on your own
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — USCIS Information on Asylum Seekers
2018 Ayslum LIFO Process Changes & General Talking Points for USCIS Processing Rules
American Immigration Council (AIC) Asylum Fact Sheet
Asylum Process – Legal (pdf)
Asylum Process – Services (pdf)
Paying for Healthcare
Health Coverage
Maine Equal Justice is the best resource for up-to-date information about health insurance and health care options for people with low- or no incomes and/ or noncitizen status
Mainecare
Maine’s medicaid program - free health insurance for those who qualify
Administered through DHHS - apply online
Eligibility information - Maine children under 21, regardless of immigration status, qualify if their household meets the income guidelines
Community Free Clinic
Portland has a free clinic for uninsured low-income adults who live in Cumberland County
“Free Care” and similar programs
Large healthcare providers in Maine have their own income-dependent programs for patients who cannot pay. People with no income should be able to get essential healthcare at no cost (except the cost of paperwork and time!!). Free Care is the name of the program at MaineHealth, other providers have their own version.
If someone receives a medical bill they can’t pay, DO NOT IGNORE IT but also DON’T PANIC! Call the number on the bill and explain you/ they have no money. Be prepared to sit on hold and jump through some hoops to prove income eligibility, but often the bill can be erased or reduced or at least a payment plan arranged. Don’t ignore it, or it will go to collections and become a bigger problem!
Aspire Sanctions
ASPIRE is the education, training, and work program that most parents getting TANF must do. Fedcap is the organization that runs ASPIRE in Maine.
What is a sanction?
A sanction means that Fedcap thinks you have failed to follow their rules. Getting a sanction means your TANF or Food Supplement benefits could get cut or end.
You could get sanctioned for things like missing an appointment or not doing what is in your Family Contract.
Banking
Excerpt from mailing list discussion on 12/14/2017
There are no ATM fees at any credit union in Maine, and there are no monthly fees on the accounts, except the $25 to “join” the credit union. This fee is returned when you close your account. It shows up on your savings balance, but there is also an “available balance” which excludes the $25. There are still fees for overdrafts, of course, but they tend to be less than regular banks.
Some credit unions offer free overdraft protection (meaning they will move money from your savings to your checking) and I also have essentially a standing pre-approved loan on my account so I can use up to $1500 by just an on-line transfer. The balance of the “loan” then requires at least a minimum monthly payment, but the interest is much lower than a credit card, and is calculated by the day, so you can pay extra or pay it off whenever you want. I use this as a bridge for larger or unexpected expenses – new glasses, car repairs, etc.
I suggest you go in with your mentee to talk to someone at the CU/bank and learn whether they have these programs. You can also ask about how to build credit. Once you are a CU member, it is generally easier to get lower interest loans as well, looking ahead to buying a car or eventually having a mortgage.
Depending on how familiar your mentee is with the US banking system, you may also want to discuss how to write checks, use a debit card, use online banking, and especially how to track what money is left in the account when checks and debits haven’t posted yet, etc. When you are just scraping by, incurring an overdraft charge is devastating, and should be avoided at all costs.
It is also a good opportunity to discuss credit cards and provide some examples of how much interest you will pay on various balances. When I was teaching English classes in Lewiston, I discovered most of my students had no idea about this stuff.
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
Career Centers & Placement Help
Career Centers
Peer Workforce Navigator Project
Weekly walk-in clinics where multilingual staff assist with job search and unemployment insurance applications.
Walk-in clinics currently every Friday, 9am-1pm at ProsperityME, 175 Lancaster St, #216A, Portland, ME. Or contact here.
Amjambo Africa
207-553-2525
Job Postings
Greater Portland Career Center
151 Jetport Blvd.
207-822-3300
Job fairs are held at the Career Center on the first Wednesday of every month. They offer workshops on college planning, interviewing, and resume-writing skills. Also, check out the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program.
Goodwill Workforce Solutions
190 Lancaster Street, Suite 200
207-775-5891
New Mainers Resource Center (at Portland Adult Education)
14 Locust Street
207-874-8155
IntWork
Portland company that assists with placing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) professionals with local companies. There is no cost to the job seeker.
Temp Agencies
Bonney 207-773-3829
Adecco 207-772-2882
Manpower 207-774-8258
Springborn 207-761-8367