Here's where to find #WarmingCenters around #Maine

by WGME Staff
Tue, January 21st 2025

Below is a list of warming shelters:

Augusta

- The Augusta Civic Center at 76 Community in Augusta is open as a warming center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. No pets, drugs, alcohol or weapons in the facility.

- The South Parish Congregational Church at 34 Bridge St. in Augusta is open as a warming center. Call 207-213-6637 for more information.

Bangor

- The Mansion Church at 96 Center Street in Bangor (207) 249-9154 is open through March 31 from 6 pm. – 7 a.m. seven days a week. The shelter can accommodate 30 guests. No violence, drugs/alcohol on premises. Bag searches/pat downs.

- Hope House at 179 Corporate Drive in Bangor will be opening 8 life safety beds for snowstorms, low temps, and extreme weather. Call (207) 217-6713 for bed availability.

- Shaw House at 136 Union Street in Bangor is open 24 hours youth until 21st birthday. Call (207) 941-2874 or come by for shelter.

- The Well Warming Center/Jericho Road at 146 B Center Street in Bangor is open through March 31 Monday – Saturday from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. No violence, drugs/alcohol on premises. Bag searches/pat downs.

- Brick Church at 126 Union Street in Bangor is open through April 15 from 4 p.m. - 7 a.m. seven days a week. Dinner at 4 pm. Can accommodate 30 guests. No violence, drugs/alcohol on premises. Bag searches.

- Bangor Area Homeless Shelter at 263 Main Street has a warming center that is currently open from 6 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. every day until March 21. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m. every day to any adult in need.

Ellsworth

- Healthy Acadia at 24 Church Street in Ellsworth is open as a warming center seven nights a week from 4 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. until April 30. Meals, snacks, and beverages are available.

Lewiston

- New Beginnings at 436 Main Street in Lewiston is open as a warming center from 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. for ages 18-24.

- The City of Lewiston’s warming shelter at 551 Lincoln Street is open 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

- Trinity Jubilee Center at 247 Bates Street in Lewiston is open as a warming center Monday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Portland

- There will be a warming center opening up at First Parish Church at 425 Congress Street in Portland Monday- Wednesday nights (January 20-23). This shelter is opened as a temporary overnight warming shelter for unsheltered adults during periods of extreme cold or excessive snow, in addition to the permanent emergency shelters available to individuals experiencing homelessness 365 days a year.

Rockland

- Rockland Emergency Warming Center at the Rec/Flanagan Center in Rockland open for Jan. 20, Jan. 21, and Jan. 22 from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. with warm meals and warm showers. The shelter is at 61 Limerock St. Enter through the back side door on Union Street.

Stow

- Warming center is open at Stow Town Hall at 710 Stow Rd. in Stow.

https://wgme.com/news/local/heres-where-to-find-warming-centers-around-maine-frigid-arctic-air-wind-chills-forecast-colder-temperatures-winter
#BangorMaine #EllsworthMaine #PortlandMaine #RocklandMaine #StowMaine #LewistonMaine #AugustaMaine #WarmingShelters #ArcticBlast

[Thread] [Links for ways to donate in thread] #MaineRefugee agencies scramble to preserve basic services after State Department cuts off funding

Maine Public | By Ari Snider
Published January 29, 2025

"Days after suspending the federal refugee admissions program, the Trump administration issued a second directive ordering resettlement agencies to stop providing basic assistance to refugees already in the country. Though much remains uncertain, it's already disrupted services in Maine.

"Typically, the federal government reimburses resettlement agencies up to $1,650 for certain expenses related to housing, food, and other basic needs during the first 90 days after a refugee arrives, plus $1,350 per refugee for administrative costs and staff positions.

"But #InzaOuattara, Maine's refugee coordinator through #CatholicCharities, said the State Department advised last week that it will no longer cover those costs.

"Ouattara said that could have immediate consequences for about 200 newly-arrived refugees in Maine.

"'They are all in temporary housing and hotels,' Outtara said. 'Where are these small refugees agency that we have in Maine to get the money to pay for those hotels?'

"Outtara said this directive is separate from the Trump Administration's now-rescinded memo ordering a widespread freeze on government grants and loans.

"Following the State Department's directive, #RilwanOsman, executive director of #MaineImmigrantAndRefugeeServices, in #LewistonMaine, said he's already had to lay off about half a dozen employees.

"But he said his group will not abandon the roughly 100 refugees in its care.

"'The support might be limited, but again, as an organization, as a human being, we have that moral obligation to continue supporting these families, despite the challenges,' he said.

"Osman said he's hoping to raise some emergency stopgap funding through an appeal to the local community.

"The Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine is also scrambling to find new funding streams, said Micaela Tepler, with the group's resettlement team.

"She said that's led to temporary delays in delivering basic needs such as groceries.

"'So even if they're going to get the same services from a different funding, it's going to take a week or two until we're really effective at providing that,' Tepler said. 'So for clients, there is a real pause, and I think this week has been really, really scary and difficult for them.'

"The #USRefugeeAdmissionsProgram is a decades-old legal pathway for individuals fleeing violence and persecution. Refugees admitted through the program are vetted by various federal agencies before being assigned to state-level resettlement agencies."

https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2025-01-29/maine-refugee-agencies-scramble-to-preserve-basic-services-after-state-department-cuts-off-funding
#MainePublic #NPR #News #USPol #MainePol #Fundraising #Refugees #RefugeeAid #NewMainers #Immigrants

#SickFromGenocide events in #Maine!

"The coalition will be holding simultaneous rallies in #BangorMaine and #LewistonMaine on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 2:00pm to call for the international community to stop the bombing of hospitals and kidnapping of health care workers."

Saturday, January 11, 2025
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

- Kennedy Park 120 Park Street Lewiston, ME, 04240 United States
- Cascade Park 600 State Street Bangor, ME, 04401 United States

https://www.mvprights.org/events/sick-from-genocide-bangor

https://www.mvprights.org/events/sick-from-genocide-lewiston
#MaineVoicesForPalestinianRights #MaineVoicesForPeace #EndGenocideInGaza #HealthcareWorkersForPalestine #JewishVoiceForPeace #MJVP #FreePalestine #GazaGenocide #Genocide #BibiIsAWarCriminal #IsraeliWarCrimes #KamalAdwanHospital #HussamAbuSafiya #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #StopArmingIsrael #IDF #GenevaConvention #HumanRightsViolations #NoWar #WorldWarBibi #Free450 #KamalAdwan

The City That Carries Us:
Pain, Streets, and Heartbeats

"This spring, Maine Inside Out (MIO) and our partners are presenting a free public art festival called The City That Carries Us: Pain, Streets, and Heartbeats in partnership with the City of #LewistonMaine and with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. The purpose of the festival is to bring everyone together and show the beauty of the Lewiston community. The festival will be an expression of the joys, struggles, and strength of Lewiston.

"Maine is experiencing a #heatwave this week and has issued an excessive heat watch. The opening ceremony, art making, and Maine Inside Out performance will now take place inside the air-conditioned Public Theatre from 1-2:30pm. Please come prepared by dressing for the heat, drinking lots of water, and monitoring your health during the day. We will be providing free water throughout the day. The festival safety team will be hosting shaded cooling areas at Kennedy Park that will include drinking water, cooling water, shade, chairs, and a first aid kit. There is a city operated cooling center open at 10am-4pm at the former ARGO, 64 Lisbon St, Lewiston (right at Dufresne Plaza across from the District Court).

"The festival is designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, with wheelchair #accessible spaces and restrooms and #ASL interpretation. If you need any specific information or accommodations in order to participate, please contact admin@maineinsideout.org.

This is a substance-free event."

FMI - https://www.maineinsideout.org/miofestival

#Juneteenth #Maine

EDITORIAL: If Congress won’t change the gun laws, change the Congress

This NRA and its henchmen continually lie to Americans, erroneously telling them: It’s not the guns. Of course it’s the guns.

https://sentinelcolorado.com/opinion/editorial-if-congress-wont-change-the-gun-laws-change-the-congress/

#COpolitics #LewistonMaine #GunControlNow

Suspect Robert Card is dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

I think no one is surprised it ended this way.

How terribly tragic it all is.

#GunViolence
#LewistonMaine #LewistonMassacre

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/maine-mass-shooting-suspect-found-dead-sources-say/3173562/