We are well into winter and looking forward to the warmer, longer days spring offers. New Beginnings youth have had an exceptional winter. We opened a warming center, which offered a warm place to eat and stay overnight, our Annual Campaign was again successful, lots of information regarding McKinney Vento, and how utilizing New Beginnings services help youth become independent. Read on to learn more!
THANK YOU! Our work would not be possible without your support.
Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates and how you can
make a difference for runaway & homeless youth in Maine.
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TLP Leads to Independence |
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Mark* was a 16-year-old homeless runaway when he came to Marian’s Place at New Beginnings in late August of 2021. “I was malnourished and abused, I weighed 95 pounds going into my junior year. I came to New Beginnings because I needed to be independent and needed to do better for myself. I also needed to be safe.” While at
Marian’s place Mark worked with staff to develop daily independent living skills; meal planning, cooking, cleaning, money management and worked towards seeking employment. Mark attended school daily and participated in school sports after classes. Mark was a positive influence on his peers.
By mid-October he had moved to the Transitional Living Program (TLP). TLP case managers worked with Mark to continue the progress he had begun at the shelter. Shortly after moving into his TLP apartment, Mark obtained employment at Walmart, while still a fulltime high school student and an active
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member of the school’s track team. In addition, he actively worked with a National Guard recruiter to start that phase of his personal military journey. TLP staff supported Mark in the legal process of becoming an emancipated minor, which allowed him to make his own legal decisions since his parents were no longer involved in his life. In April 2022 Mark got emancipated, becoming his own guardian. This allowed Mark to take control of his life like never before. In the Summer of 2022 Mark went to boot camp for eight weeks, where he
continued to demonstrate his ability to succeed and achieve goals. He returned to the TLP in late Summer of 2022, left Walmart, and started a new job at job at a local hospital while still a
full-time student and going on Guard Duty one weekend a month. In the Spring of 2023 Mark’s 18-month TLP stay came to an end. He found his own apartment and moved in April 2023. At that time, he was still attending high school and working nearly, if not, full-time hours. Mark
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graduated in June 2023. He went to the National Guard for the Summer of 2023, came back to Lewiston and moved onto a better paying position for a local manufacturing company. “My experience at New Beginnings was one of growth. They helped me get over my fear. I did more for myself in the 2 years I spent there than my parental figures that ‘raised’ me did in 16.”
During his time in the TLP Mark was provided educational/employment support, transportation to and from work and Guard Duty. Mark chose to utilize these services sparingly as he wanted to prove to himself that he was a capable young person who could manage his own life. Even though that was Mark’s choice, staff at the TLP reminded him, on occasion, of what services we could provide if and when desired. “Today, I’ve graduated high school, joined the military, gotten my first apartment, held steady jobs, and purchased my first car.” With New Beginnings’ help, Mark overcame many challenges in his life and proved to himself that he was a capable young person who could be successful. “I don’t think I’d be alive if not for New Beginnings being here for me.”
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"Today, I’ve graduated high school, joined the military, gotten my first apartment, held steady jobs, and purchased my first car.”
-- Mark
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TLP has apartments in Lewiston, Farmington, and Augusta and helps homeless youth ages 16-21 develop the skills they need to live on their own. To learn more about TLP or make a referral, contact Program Coordinator Denise Vaillancourt at (207) 795-4074 or denise@newbeginmaine.org
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Wednesday, June 26th
4:30pm - 7:30pm
at the
Maine Wedding Barn
Minot, Maine
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Interested in sponsoring?
Contact Nicole Pollock:
nicole@newbeginmaine.org or 207-795-4077
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NEW WARMING CENTER OPEN TO YOUTH |
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This fall New Beginnings was awarded a MaineHousing grant to operate a winter overnight warming center for young adults ages 18-24 in our Rowe Hall gym at 134 College Street in Lewiston. The Center opened on December 3, 2023 and the hours are 8pm to 8am seven days a week. The center will be operating through March 31, 2024. For more info or to make a referral, contact Residential Director Jennifer Needham: (207)795-4077. |
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Annual Fund 2023 Sustaining Success |
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We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the support of donors like you, our annual fund 2023–24 was able to exceed our ambitious $100,000 goal! We’d especially like to thank Northeast Bank, Deborah Goldstein, James & Tanya Mahood Foundation, Owen Larrabee & Melissa Albertson, Tax Abilities LLC, Shawna Reed & John Nixon, Lewiston Youth Activity Fund, Norway Savings Bank, Jeff & Sonya Gorman Family Fund, Anthony Connor, Jane Dwinell, DIRIGO FCU, Ronald & Donna Bissonnette, Jean Bicknell, Jack and Margo Simmons, Donald G. Marean, Diakoneint Foundation, Theresa Wilber, Farmington Rotary Club, ,David Cyr, Jeanne & Leo Beliveau, ME Community Bank, Donna Lebrun, Ned & Kitsie Claxton, DaVinci’s, Paul & Neria Douglass, Frederick & Janet Bishop, Martha Larrabee & Gregory Cherneff, Gene Geiger and the more than 250 other individuals and businesses who contributed!
Thank you for giving the gift of hope to the youth we serve!
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New Beginnings would like to thank our 2023 In-Kind and Holiday Drive Donors for their generous support of our youth. |
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Addie Nadeau
KEAN Project Engineering
Aimee & Chris Labbe
Amber Stone
Ann Hobart
Brann & Isaacson
Carol Knight
Cathy Given
Celia McGuckian
Chris Neilson
Cindy Kenyon
Clean Earth Matters
David Cyr
Dianne Boucher and members
Elizabeth Pollock
Ella Raibert
Elley Merrifield & Ariana Merrifield
Eric Cyr
Prince of Peace Parish
Gail O’Neil
Girl Scout Troop 131
Head to Toe PT (Krzywda-Nelder)
Irene Bonsaint
Isabella Brunetti
Jen Williamson
Jess Hunnewell
Jessica Doucette
Jessica Ritchie-Miller
Joanne Vail
Jody & Robert Glover
Kelsey & Steven McDermott
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Kendra & Ben Wheeler
Kevin Cheney
Kim E.
Laurie Campanelli
Linda Marchand
Lisa Bissonette
Lisa Laflin
Lisbon United Methodist Church
Lois Greenleaf
Lynne Kaplowitz & Jim Bean
M. Elaine Briggs
Maine Modern Quilters
Maria James
Marian & Chip Carney
Mark J. Ferguson
Mary & Tom Spear
Modern Woodmen Jr. Club, 1300-2
Nancee Cardinal
Nicole Pollock
Opportunity Enterprise Inc
Pat Provost
Peggy McRae
Rhonda Cobb
Ricky Disdier
Samantha Cote
Sara Davis
Skip Gans
Susan Lea
Tammy Reed
The Divine Diva’s
Therese Dion & Dwight Payne
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If your name does not appear in this list but should, please contact Nicole Pollock:
nicole@newbeginmaine.org
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GRANT GRATITUDE
We would like to thank the local and national partners who have recently funded our work: ME Assoc. of REALTORS Foundation; Avangrid Foundation in partnership with Central Maine Power, the local affiliate of AVANGRID in Maine, for general operating and a one-time grant for outreach services; Weezie Foundation; Maine Community Foundation’s Equity Fund and Long Cove Fund; Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation, Bank of America NA Trustee; federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for TLP; MaineHousing for the winter warming center and for Marian’s Place shelter ESHAP funds. “We’re grateful both for new partners and ongoing support from foundations such as AVANGRID,” said Executive Director Chris Bicknell, “Corporate, public, and private support are all essential to make it possible for New Beginnings to meet the needs of youth experiencing hunger and housing instability in Maine.”
BOARD UPDATES
The Board recently welcomed new member Sabrina Nadeau. The Board will hold its annual elections on April xx, 2024; the meeting is open to the public via zoom and will be publicized at newbeginmaine.org. Interested in learning more about Board or Advisor service? Email board@newbeginmaine.org
YAB SEEKS MEMBERS
Do you know a young person with lived experience in systems of care who would make a great leader, trainer, and/or advocate? The statewide Youth Action Board is seeking members from across Maine for paid opportunities to improve youth services, with preferences for members from certain counties. For more info contact YAB Specialist Matthew Wyman at mwyman@newbeginmaine.org or call/text 207-402-9106. |
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McKinney-Vento Project Funded by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) |
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Since 2022, our Education and Employment Support Program and the Maine Statewide Youth Action Board (YAB) sponsored by New Beginnings have partnered with the Maine Department of Education as funded Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to provide technical assistance and ongoing education and support to Maine McKinney-Vento Liaisons. By law, every school and district in the U.S. must have a designated McKinney-Vento Liaison to identify, support, and ensure the educational rights of homeless students, including the right to stay in the school they were attending when they became homeless or enroll in a new school where they are now staying.
Under this partnership, YAB and NB staff representatives attend regional meetings with school staff and community organizations to lead and collaborate on resources and ideas to improve outreach to, identification of, and support for Maine’s homeless student population. Education Program staff provide technical assistance to liaisons and McKinney-Vento 101 trainings to school personnel and community providers in Region 2 (Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo Counties).The YAB works on the project statewide; staff and youth leaders have provided trainings on authentic youth partnerships to McKinney-Vento Liaisons as well as developed and administered trainings on youth homelessness and McKinney-Vento rights for students and school staff. YAB has also designed resources to distribute to schools and communities throughout the state, and reviews and provides feedback on McKinney-Vento related materials created by the Maine Department of Education and other providers before distribution.
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Helping Homeless Students Know their Rights
One afternoon in NB's Drop-In Center, our Education & Employment Coordinator Signe Lynch started a conversation with a 14-year-old named Henry who was not attending school. Henry told her he didn’t think he would be able to attend school as he didn’t have anyone to sign his enrollment paperwork because he no longer lived with or talked to his legal guardian. Signe informed Henry of his rights to enroll himself in school as an unaccompanied youth under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. She was able to assist Henry in completing his high school enrollment information and contacted Lewiston Public Schools to inform them of their new student and his needs. NB staff collaborated with his new school team to discuss Henry’s needs and rights as an unaccompanied homeless youth attending public school. Through this collaboration, Henry was able to access a cell phone and clothes through the school McKinney-Vento funds for staying connected with his educational supports and planning transportation to and from school.
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McKinney-Vento liaisons and organizations please join the Maine Department of Education for in-person Spring 2024 regional conversations.
- Hear updates on federal, state, and local policies and resources for students and families who are homeless or have unstable
- Learn how to increase your school and district’s capacity to support
- Hear strategies to address human trafficking impacting Maine students and families from Hailey Virusso and Celine Guedj, Preble Street.
- Brainstorm solution-oriented strategies affecting youth in your school and network with colleagues from other schools and organizations in your region.
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Androscoggin, Franklin, & Oxford Counties
University of Southern Maine-Lewiston Auburn – 51 Westminster St, Lewiston
Tuesday, March 12 – 9:00 – 11:30 am
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Pictured above: New Beginnings youth and staff enjoy some sledding during a recent snow day.
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Pictured above: New Beginnings youth and staff enjoy some sledding during a recent snow day.
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Where you are now
I think of you constantly.
I see you everywhere.
In other peoples faces,
The shimmering snow on the ground,
Late night skies,
The moon.
I miss you like nothing I’ve missed before.
It hurts to think how you’re gone,
And gone for good this time.
You’ve left before,
But we always found ourselves back to each other.
Though,
That’s impossible now.
I think of you all of the time,
Now that you’re gone.
I miss you tremendously.
-Buggy* - age 19
*Name has been changed to protect confidentiality.
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Tents
Sleeping bags
Duffle Bags
Sweatpants
Towels
Phone Chargers
Power Banks
Bicycles
Helmets
Adult size New Underwear – all sizes and styles for all genders
Details and updates online:
Is your business, church, or group interested in hosting a donation drive?
We welcome in-kind donations of needed wish list items year-round.
Please contact Nicole with any questions: nicole@newbeginmainae.org | 207-795-4077.
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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, City of Lewiston, and United Way. |
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