Resources

Housing & Shelter

MaineHousing
Provides affordable housing assistance, rent relief, and homeless assistance across Maine. They help low-income families find stable housing.
Website: MaineHousing
 

Portland Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee (PESAC)
Offers shelter and homelessness services in the Portland area for individuals and families. They also provide resources on affordable housing.
Website: PESAC
 

Tedford Housing
Provides emergency housing and outreach services in Maine. They offer resources for those experiencing homelessness, including supportive housing programs.
Website: Tedford Housing
 

Through These Doors
Provides shelter, emergency housing, and support services for individuals experiencing domestic violence in Cumberland County, ME.
Website: Through These Doors

​

City of Portland Family Shelter
Provides emergency housing and support services for homeless families in the Portland area. Services include case management, housing assistance, and access to community resources.
Website: Portland Family Shelter
 

Amistad, Inc.
Offers peer-based recovery and homeless outreach services, including housing support for individuals struggling with homelessness and mental health issues.
Website: Amistad, Inc.

 

Family Promise of Greater Portland
Provides shelter, case management, and support for families facing homelessness. Their program focuses on helping families achieve sustainable independence.
Website: Family Promise
 

Shalom House
Offers housing and mental health support services to individuals with severe mental illness, helping them live independently in the community.
Website: Shalom House

​​

Free Clothing and Household Resources

Maine Needs
Location: 332 Forest Avenue, Portland
Contact: maineneedsorg@gmail.com
Services: Provides free clothing, shoes, toiletries, household items, and essential supplies to individuals and families in need. Accepts donations of gently used items and distributes them to those in crisis.
Website: Maine Needs
 

Church of the Nazarene
Location: 525 Highland Avenue, South Portland
Contact: 207-767-2127
Services: Offers free clothing to those in need, with seasonal items and household essentials available.
Pickup Hours: Call for specific times.
 

St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center - Essentials Pantry
Offers free clothing, bedding, toiletries, and other essential household items to individuals and families in need in Greater Portland.
Website: St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center
 

Preble Street Resource Center - Clothing Closet
Provides free, seasonal clothing and household items for individuals experiencing homelessness or financial hardship. Located in Portland, ME.
Website: Preble Street
 

The Root Cellar - Free Clothing and Household Store
Offers free clothing, furniture, and household essentials to low-income families in Portland. Items are donated and available for anyone in need.
Website: The Root Cellar
 

Threads of Hope - Salvation Army
Provides free clothing vouchers for families in financial crisis, redeemable at their thrift stores. They also offer household items at reduced or no cost.
Website: Salvation Army Threads of Hope
 

​

Financial Assistance

General Assistance (GA) Program - South Portland
Helps individuals and families in need with financial assistance for basic necessities like rent, heating, and medication.
Website: South Portland General Assistance
 

Maine Equal Justice Partners
Provides advocacy and legal assistance for people struggling with poverty, including help with accessing healthcare, unemployment benefits, and welfare programs.
Website: Maine Equal Justice Partners
 

211 Maine
A free confidential service that connects individuals with financial assistance programs, housing, healthcare, and more across Maine.
Website: 211 Maine
 

Catholic Charities Maine
Provides a variety of social services, including financial assistance, housing support, and emergency relief for individuals and families in need.
Website: Catholic Charities Maine
 

Salvation Army - Portland Corps
Offers emergency financial assistance for utilities, rent, and other essential needs for those facing financial crises.
Website: Salvation Army - Portland
 

Southern Maine Agency on Aging
Provides financial assistance, meal services, and support programs for seniors, including help with Medicare, budgeting, and prescription drug costs.
Website: Southern Maine Agency on Aging
 

United Way of Greater Portland
Offers community programs, emergency financial assistance, and connections to local services for individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.
Website: United Way of Greater Portland

 

Healthcare & Mental Health

MaineHealth
A network of hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers offering free and low-cost healthcare services throughout Maine.
Website: MaineHealth
 

Community Counseling Center
Provides affordable mental health counseling and psychiatric services in Portland, ME, and nearby communities.
Website: Community Counseling Center
 

Maine Behavioral Healthcare
Offers mental health, substance use treatment, and developmental services across Maine. They provide counseling, crisis services, and peer support.
Website: Maine Behavioral Healthcare
 

Portland Community Free Clinic
Offers free, non-emergency medical services for uninsured adults in the Portland area, including physical exams, health education, and chronic disease management.
Website: Portland Community Free Clinic

​

Maine Access Immigrant Network (MAIN)
Provides culturally sensitive healthcare services and support for immigrants and refugees in Maine. Their services include health education and access to primary care.
Website: Maine Access Immigrant Network

​

CarePartners - MaineHealth
Offers free or low-cost healthcare services to uninsured individuals through a partnership with local hospitals and healthcare providers.
Website: CarePartners

​

Co-occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME)
Offers integrated care for individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders, providing treatment and recovery support services.
Website: CCSME

​

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maine
Provides support, education, and advocacy for individuals living with mental health conditions and their families, including peer support groups and crisis services.
Website: NAMI Maine

​

The Root Cellar
Offers free health services, including a medical clinic and dental clinic, to low-income individuals and families in Portland.
Website: The Root Cellar

 

Employment & Education

Maine CareerCenter
Offers job search resources, resume workshops, and unemployment assistance for Maine residents. They also provide training programs for individuals seeking new skills.
Website: Maine CareerCenter
 

Portland Adult Education
Provides adult learning opportunities, including GED classes, English language courses, and vocational training programs for Portland-area residents.
Website: Portland Adult Education
 

Goodwill Northern New England - Job Connection
Helps individuals find employment and access job training programs through personalized coaching and support.
Website: Goodwill NNE
 

Workforce Solutions
Offers employment and training programs for those with barriers to employment. Their services are designed to help individuals improve their skills and enter the workforce.
Website: Workforce Solutions

​

New Ventures Maine
Provides career training, financial education, and entrepreneurship support for Maine residents. Their programs help individuals start small businesses and improve job skills.
Website: New Ventures Maine

​

Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC)
Offers workforce development, job training, and support services for job seekers, including those in low-income or disadvantaged communities.
Website: EMDC

​

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (Maine Department of Labor)
Helps individuals with disabilities find and maintain employment by providing training, career counseling, and job placement services.
Website: Vocational Rehabilitation Services

​

LearningWorks
Provides educational programs and support services for immigrants, at-risk youth, and adults seeking to improve their skills and job prospects.
Website: LearningWorks

 

Childcare & Family Support

Be There For Me
Nonprofit organization in Maine that provides essential resources, including free clothing and household items, to individuals and families in crisis. They focus on supporting those facing hardships such as homelessness and financial instability, ensuring that basic needs are met during challenging times.

Website: Home | Be There For Me

Maine Families
Provides home visiting services and resources to support parents and caregivers in raising healthy children, focusing on early childhood development and family well-being.
Website: Maine Families
 

Child Care Choices (Maine)
An online resource that helps parents find licensed childcare providers and offers information on state assistance programs for low-income families.
Website: Child Care Choices
 

Opportunity Alliance
Offers a variety of programs for families, including childcare, parenting support, and early childhood education. They also provide mental health and substance use services.
Website: Opportunity Alliance

​

The Opportunity Alliance - Head Start
Offers early childhood education, family support services, and childcare programs for low-income families with children aged 0-5 in Cumberland County.

Website: Head Start at Opportunity Alliance

 

York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC) - Child Services
Provides early childhood education, family support, and childcare subsidies for low-income families in York County.
Website: YCCAC

​

The Center for Grieving Children
Provides free support services to children, teens, and families grieving the death or serious illness of a loved one.
Website: Center for Grieving Children

​

Maine Families Home Visiting Program
Offers home visits by trained professionals to support new parents and caregivers in promoting their children’s health, development, and early learning.
Website: Maine Families Home Visiting

 

Legal Services

Pine Tree Legal Assistance
A nonprofit organization providing free legal assistance to low-income individuals in Maine. Their services cover housing, family law, benefits, and immigration issues.
Website: Pine Tree Legal Assistance
 

Legal Services for the Elderly
Provides free legal help for seniors in Maine, covering areas like healthcare, elder abuse, and housing.
Website: Legal Services for the Elderly
 

Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)
Helps low-income immigrants navigate the legal system, offering services like visa and asylum assistance, and advocacy for immigrant rights.
Website: ILAP

​

Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP)
Provides free legal assistance and representation to low-income individuals in Maine, covering civil legal matters such as family law, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims.
Website: Volunteer Lawyers Project
 

Maine Civil Liberties Union (MCLU)
Works to protect the civil rights and liberties of Maine residents, providing legal representation and advocacy in cases involving discrimination, free speech, and voting rights.
Website: MCLU
 

Disability Rights Maine
Offers legal advocacy and services for individuals with disabilities, including support with education, healthcare, housing, and employment rights.
Website: Disability Rights Maine
 

Immigrant Resource Center of Maine (IRCM)
Provides legal services, advocacy, and support for immigrants and refugees in Maine, particularly survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Website: IRCM

​

 

Substance Use & Recovery

Milestone Recovery
Provides detox, substance abuse treatment, and long-term recovery support for individuals experiencing homelessness or addiction in Portland, ME.
Website: Milestone Recovery
 

Maine Access Points
Offers harm reduction services, including naloxone distribution, and helps connect individuals to treatment for substance use disorders in Maine.
Website: Maine Access Points
 

Crossroads Maine
Provides comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment for women and their families, offering residential and outpatient programs.
Website: Crossroads Maine

Portland Recovery Community Center (PRCC)
A peer-led recovery center offering support groups, resources, and social connections for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders.
Website: PRCC
 

Catholic Charities Maine - Substance Abuse Counseling
Provides substance use treatment services, including individual and group counseling, to help individuals and families recover from addiction.
Website: Catholic Charities - Substance Use
 

Journey House Sober Living
Offers sober living facilities and peer support for men and women in recovery from substance use, helping them transition back to independent living.
Website: Journey House
 

Grace Street Services
Provides comprehensive outpatient substance use treatment, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and counseling for individuals struggling with opioid use disorders.
Website: Grace Street Services

 

Transportation

South Portland Bus Service
Provides public transportation within South Portland and to nearby areas, offering affordable fares and passes for those in need of access to jobs, healthcare, and resources.
Website: South Portland Bus Service

​

Regional Transportation Program (RTP)
Offers low-cost transportation for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and low-income residents in Greater Portland.
Website: RTP

​​

LogistiCare MaineCare Transportation
Provides non-emergency transportation services for MaineCare (Medicaid) recipients, helping them access medical appointments and healthcare facilities.
Website: LogistiCare Maine

​

Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Resources

Through These Doors
Provides emergency shelter, safety planning, and support services for individuals experiencing domestic abuse in Cumberland County, ME.
Website: Through These Doors
 

Family Crisis Services
Offers 24/7 crisis support, emergency shelter, and advocacy for victims of domestic violence. They provide resources for legal aid and protective orders.
Website: Family Crisis Services
 

Immigrant Resource Center of Maine (IRCM)
Specializes in assisting immigrants and refugees facing domestic violence, offering culturally sensitive support, advocacy, and legal services.
Website: IRCM
 

Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV)
A statewide organization that provides resources, training, and support for individuals affected by domestic abuse. They connect people with local shelters and legal services.
Website: MCEDV
 

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Provides 24/7 confidential support, safety planning, and resources for individuals facing domestic violence. They offer both phone and online chat options.
Website: The Hotline
Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

​

Hope and Justice Project
Serving Aroostook County, this organization offers crisis intervention, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and support services for those experiencing domestic violence.
Website: Hope and Justice Project
 

Wabanaki Women’s Coalition
Offers support, education, and advocacy for Native American women and children affected by domestic violence and sexual assault in Maine’s Wabanaki communities.
Website: Wabanaki Women’s Coalition
 

Pine Tree Legal Assistance - Domestic Violence Help
Provides free legal services for survivors of domestic abuse, helping with protection orders, child custody, divorce, and safety planning.
Website: Pine Tree Legal Assistance

​

Pet Food + Financial Assistance Resources

Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland
Location: 217 Landing Road, Westbrook
Contact: Jasmine Newton or John Florida, 207-854-9771, guestservices@arlgp.org
Distribution: Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays from 3 PM to 5 PM
Requirements: One-time registration required on the ARL website, with an online order form. For those without computer access, orders can be placed by calling 207-854-9771 on distribution day before 3 PM.
Eligibility: No eligibility requirements. Serving Cumberland County.
Pickup only, no delivery service available.

Camp Bow Wow
Location: 49 Blueberry Road, Portland
Contact: 207-541-9247, portlandme@campbowwow.com
Distribution Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 7 AM to 7 PM

• Saturday & Sunday: 7:30 AM to 10 AM, 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM
  Requirements: No eligibility requirements. Anyone may receive pet food.
  Note: Call ahead to check on supply levels.

No Bowl Left Empty 2 Pet Food Pantry
Location: 238 Old Alfred Road, East Waterboro
Contact: 207-233-2793, nobowlempty@outlook.com
Distribution Hours:

• 1st & 3rd Sundays from 1 PM to 3 PM

• 1st Thursday 6 PM to 8 PM (April through October)

• 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from 3 PM to 5 PM
  Additional Locations:

• Pine Tree Estates in Standish (contact Pine Tree Estates Office at 207-642-2900)

• Limited pet food distribution at Youth Full Maine Food Distributions (Thursdays in Dayton, 3rd Wednesday of the month in Biddeford)

• Mobile distributions in Auburn and Norway in planning (details TBA)
  Requirements: Serving residents of Cumberland, York, Androscoggin, and Oxford Counties. All clients must complete a short Client Service Agreement. Proof of current municipal dog license and rabies certificate for cats required. No breeding; intact pets must be altered within 6 months.
  Assistance Limits: 1 household per address, maximum of 6 pets per household.
  Services: Food, treats, toys, litter, grooming supplies, crates, beds, flea/tick treatments, and more for dogs, cats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits, reptiles, fish, and birds as supplies allow.
  Pickup available, limited delivery on a case-by-case basis.

Coastal Humane Society
Location: 5 Industrial Parkway, Brunswick
Contact: 207-449-1366, info@midcoasthumane.org
Distribution Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays from 11 AM to 3 PM
Requirements: Must call ahead to check availability.
Pickup only.

Animal Rescue Unit
Location: 73 Middle Ridge Road, No. Bridgton
Contact: 207-939-7852
Distribution Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM
Requirements: Serving the Lakes Region. Call ahead.
Services: Food for cats, dogs, and occasionally farm animals.
Pickup, occasional delivery possible.

Pittie Posse’s Pet Pantry
Location: Steep Falls Park, Main Street, Steep Falls
Contact: 207-619-0027, pittiepossespetpantry@gmail.com
Distribution: One Sunday a month, 9 AM to 12 PM (date announced monthly via Facebook)
Requirements: Open to all in need. Must pre-register at Pittie Posse Registration Form.