‘We’re Able to Shine Again’

After two years of pandemic pivots, the Boys & Girls Club of Bangor hopes a return to normal programming this summer will give students a much-needed boost heading into the school year. In particular, two Foundation-funded initiatives target the Club’s youngest and oldest members – a Kindergarten Boot Camp and Work-Based Learning Program for teens.

2022 Fellowship Summer Update

The latest John T. Gorman Fellows are in the homestretch of the Fellowship’s intensive seminars. They have set long-term goals for their work, developed strategies to accomplish them, and have identified indicators they will use to mark their progress in the months and years ahead. Several Fellows have offered their reflections on the impacts the Fellowship has already had on their work and organizations.

DSGP Grantee Profile: Rural Community Action Ministry

Founded 52 years ago, Rural Community Action Ministry is not only addressing immediate needs for the people it serves, but is helping them open doors to greater economic stability. Its comprehensive approach – as well as the outsized impact this small organization has in an underserved region of Western Maine – is a major reason RCAM has been a longtime Direct Services Grantee for the John T. Gorman Foundation.

Roof Over Their Head, Partners by Their Side

Youth exiting foster care face daunting challenges as they transition to adulthood – including high rates of homelessness – not only because of trauma they have faced in the past, but also limited support systems available to them in their young adulthoods. With Foundation funding, Portland Housing Authority has paired federal housing vouchers and intensive supports to put these youth in a much better position to thrive as adults – and parents.

‘As soon as the kids were here, they were very joyful’

In April, the John T. Gorman Foundation awarded the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine a grant to provide afterschool and summer programming for 240 children living temporarily in two hotels in South Portland. The goals of the program are not only to offer a positive space and academic support to students, but also to relieve stress for their entire families, who are coping with past trauma and difficult circumstances as refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers. We recently spoke with Baba Ly, Senior Program Director at the Club, to learn more about the trauma-informed approach they are using to serve them.

ANALYSIS: COVID-19 Disparities

Prepared for the John T. Gorman Foundation this fall, researchers Jessica Carson, Ph.D. and Sarah Boege at Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire have compiled an analysis breaking down economic, health, and social impacts of COVID-19 across Maine – highlighting a number of disparities for how different regional, age, and racial groups have fared during the pandemic.

Message from President & CEO Nicole Witherbee

A message from Nicole Witherbee on her first day as President & CEO of the John T. Gorman Foundation: I am excited for the future and honored to have the opportunity to carry out Tom Gorman’s legacy. The John T. Gorman Foundation has worked with our many partners for over 25 years to improve the … Read more