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LEWISTON — Androscoggin Bank’s MainStreet Foundation has awarded $12,500 in impact grants for the second quarter of 2018.
Recognizing a need for at-risk kids in Maine to be safe, healthy, active, happy, educated and nourished, the MainStreet Foundation awards grants to organizations actively working to help kids thrive.
The grants vary based on the need and are awarded in amounts up to $5,000. The MainStreet Foundation Board of Directors has approved grants to eight nonprofits, including three in Lewiston, one in Augusta, one in Bath, one in Falmouth with a Lewiston site, as well as organizations in Portland and Newport.
Youth Arts Program of the Bates Dance Festival, Lewiston — $3,000 was awarded to fund programs with visiting professional artists that are offered to youth participants. The programs focus on enriching the lives of local youth, particularly those at-risk and the new immigrant population, by exposing them to diverse cultures and the performing arts. The wide range of youth programming is designed to raise aspirations and promote understanding and acceptance of different cultural traditions.
Advocates for Children, Lewiston — $2,500 was awarded to the only agency in Androscoggin County dedicated to the prevention of child maltreatment in the form of abuse or neglect. The money will allow the organization to buy RealCare Babies to be used in educating high school students in Androscoggin County about the realities of caring for an infant. The parenting education efforts are intended to avert child abuse and neglect, understand the needs of an infant, and educate young parents.
New Beginnings, Lewiston — $1,000 was awarded to this organization that advocates for people in crisis due to unstable or conflictive living situations. Funds will be used to develop and distribute outreach materials targeting at-risk youth, including a pocket-sized resource guide designed for a younger audience to educate on the agency’s mission and available resources.
Camp to Belong Maine, Augusta — $1,000 to the organization, which provides Maine youth who have been separated by foster care or other out-of-home care with an opportunity to share experiences and strengthen relationships with their siblings. The week-long camp empowers attendees to advocate for themselves and their siblings and inspires them to believe in their capacity to build a successful future together.
Community Dental, Falmouth — $1,000 was awarded to support at-risk youth patients at Community Dental’s Lewiston center. Funds will be used to keep treatment affordable for low-income, under- or uninsured patients, who are educated on the importance of oral hygiene to overcome barriers like dental pain, school and workplace absences, employment difficulties, and social exclusion later in life.
Tri-County Literacy, Bath — $2,000 was awarded to fund the Read Together program, which helps low-income children in grades K-8 in the Bath/Brunswick area who are below grade level in literacy acquisition to become engaged, successful readers and writers. The program provides one-on-one free tutoring to children, and offers support to parents through periodic conferences and workshops.
The Center for Grieving Children, Portland — $1,000 to support bereavement services in the coming year. The bereavement program provides phone support and volunteer-led support groups to hundreds of grieving children and their families. Each family’s needs are determined on an individual basis; children can participate in groups with others their age, and parents and caregivers are educated on how to best support their children.
Newport Cultural Center, Newport — $1,000 towards funding development of a teen space within the center and teen-specific programming. The space would be unique in an area with few resources for teens, and would provide a physical location for gathering as well as educational offerings on topics like body image, sexual health, and financial management.
“Our communities are working hard for our kids, and we are honored each time we’re able to present these outstanding programs with funding that helps them achieve their goals,” said Steve closson, Chairman of Androscoggin Bank’s MainStreet Foundation. MainStreet Foundation has awarded a total of $23,000 so far in 2018.
