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On May 3, a group of Women United members embarked on a walking tour of the East Bayside neighborhood. We visited Portland Adult Education and the Head Start program in an effort to learn more about the resources and challenges facing single mothers and their children in Greater Portland. We met with service providers, observed the programs in action, and of course, asked lots of questions. Thank you to those who were able to attend!
Anita St. Onge, Executive Director of Portland Adult Education shared information about their programs and services including: Job readiness programs, English Language and Literacy, Enrichment Programs, and programs for homeless youth. One of the largest barriers to accessing services that PAE sees is reliable and affordable childcare.
Louise Marsden and her team at East End Child Development Center face challenges every day around funding for programs and access to quality childcare. Wait lists, language barriers, and a complicated process for childcare subsidies create barriers to the many services offered at this center. Programs include: Early Head Start, Head Start, mental health services, outpatient services, and parent coaching.
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Did You Know?
Some facts about East Bayside:
- 65% (115) of East Bayside public housing units are occupied by single-female-headed households (PHA January 2017)
- 21% of residents in East Bayside public housing are between 0 to 10 years old (PHA January 2017)
- 59% of individuals in East Bayside have an income below $25,000/yr (2015 American Community Survey-Tract 5)
- Nearly 44% of households receiving SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aka food stamps) in East Bayside are female-headed households (2015 American Community Survey -Tract 5)
- 75.9% of unmarried women in East Bayside are receiving public assistance income (2015 American Community Survey -Tract 5)
- The maximum payout of SNAP for a recipient with one child is $357/month or $4,284/year (USDA SNAP-Fiscal-Year-2017-Cost-of-Living-Adjustments)
- The typical food cost for 1 adult and 1 child is $5,244/year (MIT Living wage calculator)
- At East End Community School, 55% of the students are English Language Learners, 80% qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, and 15% are currently homeless (Boyd Marley, Assistant Principal, EECS)
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Save the Date!
June 6th, 2017, 5:30pm-7:30pm,
(l
ocation TBD)
:
Women United will be hosting a community collection for mom/baby items and will be joined by Two Gen Consultant, Gail Hayes. Details coming soon. This event will be open to the community.
June 7th, 9:30am-11:30am, Dead River Company.
Women United members are invited to attend a breakfast with Gail Hayes for a deeper dive into Two Gen programming.
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Special thanks to the following organizations
who have committed to supporting the future work of Women United.
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