November is Runaway & Homeless Youth Prevention Month! |
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Thank you United Way of Androscoggin County for a great 2022 Day of Caring!
New Beginnings welcomed a team of Auburn Savings Bank volunteers for a day of painting, building, and gardening at our 134 College St. location. Thanks for making a difference!
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Change is all around us! The turning leaves, plump pumpkins, and falling temperatures all let us know winter will be here before we know it. In this autumn issue, read about how freeing access to educational services and housing can be for youth seeking independence, our new memorial garden, holiday drive, lots of important save-the-dates and details. Keep scrolling, there's a lot to see!
We hope to see many of you at tomorrow's OPEN HOUSE
Follow us on Instagram for updates, and Thank You, for your support!
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We've missed seeing you in person! Help kick off November's
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Are you coming to the Open House?
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LOCATION
134 College St, Lewiston, ME 04240
DATE AND TIME
11/01/22 12:00pm
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11/01/22 1:00pm
Join New Beginningsā Board and staff at our in-person annual Open House and learn more about our work!
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For Youth Fair info, please call (207) 795-4077 for Matthew Wyman or Nicole Pollock. |
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YOUTH STORY: Spotlight on collaboration between NB Programs
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NB Team Supports Youthās Independence |
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Brian* was 16 when he first learned about New Beginnings. He was living on the streets and couch surfing due to family conflict (largely due to family rejection of his gender identity) and had dropped out of school after leaving home. He first engaged with New Beginnings by utilizing our Lewiston Drop-In Center to access food, clothing, and other basic needs.
While in Drop-In he expressed interest in completing high school and was connected to our Education & Employment Support program. Although Brian tried on his own to reconnect with his education, his lack of stable housing and support meant he struggled to get his education back on track before working with New Beginnings. Education program staff worked with Brian to create short and long-term educational and employment goals, connected him to educational and career resources, and provided CASAS placement testing in New Beginningsā Ed Program classrooms at 134 College Street to begin the referral process to alternative education programs.
While Brian was working with Ed Program staff on his educational goals, he also received support from his New Beginnings Outreach Case Manager in applying for local housing opportunities. Brian continued to move between couch surfing, living outside, and four different short stays at our Marianās Place 24/7 emergency youth shelter over the past year as he worked towards his goal of moving into his own apartment. |
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While staying at Marianās Place, Brian engaged in Ed Support daily and worked towards his goal of completing his High school equivalency (HiSET) via enrollment with a local adult education provider. NBās Ed Program and the local Adult Ed Program collaborated to ensure Brian had transportation to needed educational appointments and could take his final HiSET tests from the comfort and familiarity of New Beginningsā classrooms.
With support from a team of New Beginnings' staff from multiple programs, Brian was able to complete his HiSET, find and secure stable housing, become legally emancipated, and recently move from the shelter into his own apartment for the first time.
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ļ»æ"New Beginnings has helped me pursue my dreams by helping complete my HiSET thanks to the New Beginnings Education Program!ā
ļ»æ-- Brian
*Youth name changed for privacy
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Now age 18, Brian continues to utilize our Education & Employment program to work towards employment goals including exploring local on-the-job-training and working with staff to gain confidence in the competitive job market through resume support, help reviewing applications, and interview practice.
āNew Beginnings has helped me pursue my dreams by helping complete my HiSET thanks to the New Beginnings Education Program!ā Brian has expressed pride in himself and amazement in his ability to achieve the goals he set, despite having experienced homelessness.
For more information about New Beginningsā Educational & Employment Support, contact Program Coordinator Signe Lynch at slynch@newbeginmaine.org or call (207) 795-4077 to make a referral. The Outreach Drop-In can be reached at (207)795-6831 and Marian's Place can be reached 24-hours a day at (207) 794-4070.
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OUTREACH PROGRAM & DROP-IN EXPANDING |
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New Beginnings is excited to announce that our new Maine DHHS Homeless Youth Continuum of Care grant is funding an increase in days and hours for our Youth Outreach Drop-In Center (134 College St. in Lewiston) and more rural community outreach in the nine counties of Region 2. Drop-In, which has been open weekday afternoons since 1990, will be moving to a seven-day-a-week 10 am to 5 pm schedule. Drop-In is currently open 12-5 pm, and will be adding morning and weekend hours as soon as enough staff can be hired and trained. Please check our website newbeginmaine.org for updates or call Drop-In at 207-795-6831.
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New Memorial Garden Dedicated |
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On Friday, August 26, New Beginnings was host to youth and employees as they dedicated their new memorial garden to the memory of those youth who have passed. It was an intimate and uplifting ceremony honoring both our most recent loss and those who preceded. All were invited to speak and have their voices heard, some with poetry, others with music, but all with fond memories of their street family members. |
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The garden is located in the grassy area between our 134 College Street location and the adjacent parking area and features several garden beds, a cast iron bench, and a granite stone with a brass plate which reads:
āDedicated to the memory of our street family members who were lost too soon. Our dearest of friends, our light in the darkness. Until we meet again.ā New Beginnings invites all in need to use this garden as a space for grieving, healing, and reflection.
Would you like to donate labor, plants, soil, mulch, or supplies to improve the
memorial garden or landscaping at New Beginnings' locations?
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NOTE: NB reached out to Steve Roop in early September to feature a quote from him in this issue, which he provided. We were subsequently shocked and saddened to find out about his passing soon after, as we went to press. We hope that his legacy of giving back in Lewiston-Auburn can be a comfort to his family in their time of grief. |
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Supporter Spotlight:
In Memory of Steve Roop
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Since 2019, Steve Roop of Rooperās Beverage has been a New Beginnings Leadership Circle supporter. Like many local non-profits, we loved greeting Steve when he would show up unannounced to our offices to thank us and drop off a check. Steveās generosity was so deeply appreciated. When we reached out to Steve to ask why he supported New Beginnings so generously, his response was prompt and direct: āSimply put. Everyone deserves a chance. This is why I give. I have been very down and out at one time in my life and I remember thinking, I just need a chance.ā Like Steve, we at New Beginnings also believe everyone needs a chance.
Rest in peace Steve, you will be missed.
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Harm Reduction & Prevention: Working with Youth at High Risk for HIV/AIDS (HRAP)
LIVE, VIRTUAL TRAINING SERIES
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November 15th & 17th
8:30 AM - 12 Noon
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The HRAP training is designed to help youth workers and educators acquire the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to effectively address a variety of challenging issues. New Beginnings with support from the Maine Department of Education, is pleased to offer this HIV prevention training opportunity, and staff of Maine youth-serving agencies and alternative schools are welcome to apply!
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YOUTH ACTION BOARD
The Maine Statewide Youth Action Board (YAB) continues to offer young people paid opportunities to consult and advocate to ensure youth/young adult expertise and voice is valued and āat the tableā where decisions are made that impact Maine youth - including through a partnership with ME Dept. of Education providing technical assistance to McKinney-Vento Liaisons statewide. YAB is recruiting young adults with lived experience of being unhoused or utilizing systems of care (child welfare, corrections, etc.), in particular from Maine counties other than Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Franklin, and Penobscot. Contact YAB Specialist Matthew Wyman at mwyman@newbeginmaine.org or call/text 207-402-9106 for more info or to apply.
STAFF UPDATES
New Beginnings recently welcomed Karen Caldwell Murphy as our Director of Finance and Human Resources. Please direct any correspondence that would previously gone to Lisa Dumont or Alex Aponte to kcaldwell@newbeginmaine.org or contact Karen at 207-795-4077. We also welcomed Megan Dvilinsky as Outreach Assistant Coordinator, and promoted Donna Bilodeau to Rural Outreach Coordinator; more updates at newbeginmaine.org/staff-2022
2021 ANNUAL REPORT
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Seasonal Fun & Favorites 2022 |
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Education and Employment program participants were able to visit Wolfs Neck Agricultural Center in July. |
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Drop-In Center Youth enjoying a Portland Sea Dogs playoff game. |
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Batteries
Towels
Bug Spray
Phone Chargers & Power Banks
Bicycles
Sleeping Bags & Tents
Flashlights/headlamps
Toilet Paper in 4-packs or individually wrapped rolls
Adult size NEW Underwear ā all sizes and styles for all genders
Details online:
PLEASE NOTE: We welcome in-kind donations of needed wish list items year-round.
Please contact Nicole with any questions: 207-795-4077.
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11/10/2022 - WEAR GREEN DAY to show support - send us your selfie!
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Help make the holiday season brighter for homeless youth!
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Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, every December New Beginnings distributes holiday gifts to youth in our programs in Lewiston, Augusta, and Farmington. This year we need your support to make it possible for 100 youth to each get a care package containing gifts and winter necessities. |
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Join our annual Solstice Memorial Vigil to honor our unhoused neighbors and those who have passed away in the previous year on Dec. 21, 2022.
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WE'RE HIRING - JOIN OUR TEAM!
Visit:
to see all of our current openings.
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New Beginnings is funded in part by the State of Maine and US Departments of Health & Human Services, Family & Youth Services Bureau, Housing & Urban Development, Cirty of Lewiston CDBG, and United Way. |
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