Sumaya Abdulle, ’28 - Portland Housing Authority
This summer, Sumaya played a key role in supporting the CHEETA Program across two neighborhoods. She helped interns identify local issues and guided them in creating storytelling-based budget slideshows with proposed solutions. Sumaya also supported skill-building through resume and cover letter writing, mock interviews, and public speaking coaching, preparing interns to present to PHA executives. She organized a field trip to the EcoMaine waste and recycling facility and assisted with a community potluck focused on raising awareness about littering and environmental care. Her leadership and dedication made a lasting impact on both the interns and the communities they served.
“This summer, working with the CHEETA Program in two neighborhoods was truly life-changing. Collaborating with the PHA staff and CHEETA interns gave me a deeper understanding of the communities we served. From resume building to mock interviews, I saw firsthand how impactful mentorship can be. I didn’t realize how much my presence mattered until the interns told me how much it meant to have someone like me guiding them—it was incredibly humbling.”
Asha Adiga-Biro, ’28 – Community Change Inc.
As a fellow working at Community Change Inc., Asha worked on researching and compiling a list of organizations related to a topic of her choosing – food sovereignty. Asha put pertinent information about each organization, such as sector and mission statement, into a form that was then populated into a database. Asha found patterns amongst the plethora of organizations, researched their strengths and gaps, and hypothesized future collaborations. Other work included writing and researching about the past, present, and future of food sovereignty in Maine, and reaching out and interviewing other fellows whose work related to Asha’s.
“This summer, I had the opportunity to experience and better understand the intricacies of working with a non-profit organization. Listening to the conversations at meetings, I learned about fundraising methods, the importance of trust, and the emphasis on relationship building in the non-profit sector. I also learned about the ethics of non-profit organizational work and how to classify different organizations based on the mission and values they uphold. I will carry my experience this summer into the classroom, future jobs, and into conversations with friends and family.”
Grace Chang , ’27 - Hope Acts
During her time at Hope Acts, Grace supported Maine’s asylum-seeking community through direct client services as part of the Asylum Seeker Assistance Program (ASAP). On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, she helped clients by scheduling work permit appointments, completing change of address forms, and assisting with applications for DHHS services. On Tuesdays, she completed work permit applications (I-765) at the Portland Public Library. In addition, Grace conducted an independent research project on mental health resources available to asylum seekers in Maine, aiming to inform and expand outreach initiatives that address the psychological well-being of the asylum seeking population.
“Working with Hope Acts this summer sharpened my commitment to advocacy and policymaking. Through direct service, I witnessed the raw challenges newly arrived immigrants face, which translated my academic interests into real-world experiences. This opportunity taught me to think and act with compassion and reminded me how even small changes can create meaningful impact within our communities. I’m deeply grateful to Hope Acts and the McKeen Center for making this experience possible.”
Lucia Galdamez , ’28 - Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
Over the summer, Lucia worked with the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) in Portland, Maine, where she supported legal staff on immigration cases. She screened potential clients for U-visas and asylum, translated documents, and conducted research on country conditions. She also helped coordinate ILAP’s monthly walk-in hours and assisted with change of venue clinics, where she worked directly with clients and managed intake. She observed how immigration law is constantly changing, and how language access, documentation, and time constraints can shape a case. She learned how ILAP staff balances legal expertise with compassion in a busy legal nonprofit.
“I feel fortunate to have received this opportunity, and I will certainly miss my time with ILAP. I learned so much about how fast and slow immigration law can be. What the law is today is not what it might be tomorrow. I admire the people who are working day by day to help clients cope with that uncertainty. It requires a kind of hope, and a kind of stubbornness, that shapes how I think about public service.”
Stella Johnson, ’27 - Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program
This summer, Stella worked with Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, spending the bulk of her time with MCHPP’s Community Kitchen. She worked alongside volunteers and the Kitchen Coordinator in daily processing shifts to transform excess produce from other MCHPP programs into value-added products. By the end of the summer, she took on the responsibility of planning and leading processing shifts independently. On a daily basis, Stella also managed intake, inventory, and distribution to enhance program efficiency and improve its synergy with other MCHPP programs. The remainder of her time was allocated to the Data Innovation Project (DIP), a development project that aimed to evaluate the Community Kitchen’s efficiency and impact. For DIP, she facilitated focus groups of staff and volunteers and analyzed the resulting transcripts, while offering support on the distribution of surveys to MCHPP guests.
“I am incredibly grateful for my time at MCHPP! As someone with an interest in social justice and sustainability, this experience provided wonderful insight into how food sits at the intersection of so many social and environmental challenges, despite being something so many take for granted. Furthermore, my time at MCHPP introduced me to countless hardworking, honest, and compassionate staff and volunteers, which made the experience all the more fulfilling!”
Amelia Kane, ’27 - Tedford Housing
During the summer, Amelia worked as a fellow at Tedford Housing, where she completed a combination of administrative, research, and programmatic work. She secured donations from local businesses for the annual silent auction and digitized files in preparation for Tedford’s move to a new facility. Her research projects included drafting contribution requests for regional elected officials and town managers, creating a statewide food bank resource map, and preparing donor biographies. In addition, she facilitated weekly activities for children at the family shelter, such as art projects, science experiments, and outdoor games!
“This summer at Tedford, I learned how fragile housing can be and how homelessness can affect anyone. I gained insight into non-profit operations, especially the challenges of development and the importance of building networks with businesses and local officials. From securing auction donations and creating a statewide food bank guide to facilitating activities with children at the shelter, I am grateful for the variety of work and proud to contribute to Tedford’s mission!”
Troy Keller, ’26 - Preble Street
This summer, Troy worked with Preble Street's Advocacy Department, helping with policy-focused, community-oriented efforts towards Preble Street's primary goal: providing accessible, barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness and poverty. His work centered around reviewing proposed Maine legislation, creating promotional material for items on the upcoming referendum, and summarizing major changes from Capitol Hill in a way for Preble Street staff that captured what was relevant to the organization and its clients. Troy hopes to continue working in environments which explore the ways that policy can help improve community.
“Working with Preble Street was a fantastic opportunity! Being able to work with them this summer during their 50th anniversary as an organization helped to emphasize how expansive Preble Street is, and how many individuals across Maine they impact on a daily basis. This experience made me a better writer, communicator, and community member through my involvement in spaces like Portland City Council, and helping table events like our Longest Day of Homelessness.”
Maya Khalil, ’28 - Merrymeeting Gleaners at MCHPP
This fellowship involves participating in gleans (harvests of surplus produce) at local farms up to three days per week. Two days per week, the fellow leads the Gleaned Produce Sorting volunteer shift at MCHPP's Food Bank. One day per week, the fellow sets up a local Sharing Table to anonymously distribute gleaned produce; and completes a Farmer's Market Glean, collecting leftover produce from participating market vendors. Additional time is spent on a variety of tasks, including joining other volunteer shifts, assisting staff with projects around the Food Bank, completing administrative tasks, and working on an independent project.
“I have loved getting to know the staff and volunteers of MCHPP as I hone my farming skills and learn about ways to fight food insecurity locally! I have gotten to participate in a wide variety of projects and practice a range of skills, from writing a weekly email update to figuring out how to package sweet potato vines. This fellowship has helped me grow as a leader and shown me all that goes into running a nonprofit. As a result of this experience, I feel deeply connected to our food system and the Midcoast Maine community.”
Liam Rodríguez, ’28 - The Telling Room
At The Telling Room Liam facilitated a series of writing camps, including programs focused on underrepresented students, refugee & immigrant communities, and LGBTQIA+ youth. His work included teaching lessons in creative writing & expression, designing summer programs, editing student work for publication, cultivating safe environments, increasing workspace efficiency, and collaborations with local organizations such as the Brunswick Teen Center to extend The Telling Room’s impact. Through this experience Liam was able to gain an intimate understanding of a local nonprofit’s functions, and a deep appreciation for the myriad of experiences that come with being a child in the greater Portland area.
“My time at The Telling Room made me realize just how much we are missing by ignoring children’s stories. It’s hard to forget the spark in their eyes when a student is given a pen and told to share their ideas. When youth voices are suppressed, we lose the stories that illuminate the needs of a generation, and the adults in charge fail to act accordingly. The Telling Room is more than an art camp, it is a training ground for self-advocacy and realization.”
Hannah Smart , ’27 - ArtVan
Hannah worked to research project ideas, in addition to gathering data on the populations ArtVan serves, how to evaluate art therapy, and other information that could be used to apply to grants. Hannah also worked closely with the program team, driving across Maine to deliver mobile art therapy to children, teens, and adults. She assisted in planning projects, gathering materials, and assisting with demonstrations. Throughout the summer, she created a safe, and welcoming environment, fostering connections through warmth and empathy. Her curiosity about the individual's artistic process and emotional expression was sincere, allowing her to support their healing through art.
“By bringing art therapy into schools, neighborhoods and communities around Maine, I was able to create a safe space for people who otherwise might not have access to services ArtVan provides. Many times this summer I made connections with participants, listened to their stories, and helped them process their emotions through their art. On the operations side of ArtVan, I left a lasting impact through the information I compiled that will assist them in the grant process in the future.”
Grace Tétreault, ’28 - Brunswick Area Teen Center/People Plus
As the Maine Community Fellow, Grace played a pivotal role in promoting student volunteerism and expanding language accessibility at the Brunswick Teen Center. Over the summer, she partnered with local businesses to support a program encouraging youth engagement through service and outdoor activities. She collaborated with ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ faculty and students to produce multilingual promotional materials—in English, Swahili, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, French, Portuguese, and Arabic—which she distributed across the Brunswick School District and the Welcome Center. Grace also enriched student programming by founding a dynamic improv group and organizing interactive events such as Jeopardy, pasta-making workshops, and dodgeball tournaments.
“This internship not only expanded my understanding of nonprofit operations and provided valuable experience working with youth, but, more significantly, it offered a profound appreciation for the individuals themselves. I am so grateful to the students and staff at the Teen Center for trusting me with their stories, personalities, and perspectives. While I am saddened that my fellowship is coming to an end, I hope that I have made as much of an impact on them as they have on me.”
Sage Tonomura-MacDonald, ’27 - Oasis Free Clinics
This summer, Sage worked with Oasis Free Clinics, a free medical and dental clinic in Brunswick. Her main projects involved analyzing patient attendance data, supporting the clinic’s garden tour fundraiser, and helping lead health equity initiatives. She examined trends in no-shows and cancellations across various demographic and appointment factors to develop a new attendance policy. Sage also worked closely with the fundraising committee to plan and organize the garden tour event. In addition, she collaborated with two other fellows to create a health equity training and workshop for staff and volunteers, aiming to deepen the clinic’s commitment to inclusive, patient-centered care.
“Working at Oasis this summer has deepened my understanding of healthcare disparities and the importance of data-driven solutions. Contributing to projects that aim to improve access, equity, and patient experience has been very rewarding. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside a team dedicated to delivering compassionate, inclusive care to our community members in need.”
Arianna Zou, ’28 – United Way of Mid Coast Maine and Immigrant Resource Center of Maine
This summer, the United Way of Mid Coast Maine (UWMCM) fellow, Arianna Zou, worked with the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine (IRCM) to support the Brunswick New Mainers Initiative. Her primary focus was managing the Conversational English Program. This work involved developing curriculum materials, recruiting ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ volunteers, and leading weekly classes. Notably, Arianna also provided hands-on support at the Welcome Center by assisting clients with phone calls, résumé writing, and job applications. Lastly, she played a key role in workforce development by collecting surveys and analyzing trends. By identifying skillsets, employment goals, and gaps in job readiness, Arianna helped shape the framework of the upcoming entrepreneurship program.
“As someone who grew up in Maine, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the communities here. Working with UWMCM and IRCM gave me the opportunity to see firsthand the barriers New Mainers face, and how critical it is to provide support that goes beyond just language. We need systems that empower them to build long-term self-sufficiency and intercultural competency.”
Mason worked as a Systems Integration Engineer at during his Maine Community Fellowship. His primary projects included setting up Mobile Device Management (MDM) for company machines, building a comprehensive database in Airtable, and implementing a tailor-made project management interface for employees. Mason wrote custom automation scripts to integrate these in addition to other systems, including Jotform, Fillout, Zapier, Slack, QuickBooks, Stripe, and Little Green Light. Together, he improved operational efficiency and reduced costs by consolidating existing tools without sacrificing functionality. Mason’s work benefited the entire organization and played a key role in their mission to get more teens outdoors.
Gary spent this summer working with the as a mentor in CHEETA, their summer teen program, as well as supporting afternoon programming for younger students. Working with three different communities, he helped the teens identify a problem in their neighborhood and work toward solutions that would remedy the root causes of the problem. Each community hosted their own event to increase awareness and bring their solutions into practice. In addition, he led workshops on presentations and resumes, developed activities to encourage group bonding, and connected them with community organizations.
Yusur Jasim '25 spent their summer interning with , a non-profit that publishes young authors. During their summer, Yusur worked on developing reading guides for the books published by The Telling Room, which can be used by Maine educators when they're teaching the books. In addition to learning more about the publishing world, Yusur also spent time working with students at The Telling Room, where he mentored them in some of their writing and art.
A summer fellowship with included lots of hands-on, in person work with New Mainer asylum seekers. The fellowship involved helping the families that the organization worked with move into their new apartments, teaching an English class twice a week, organizing and attending events and celebrations, helping families navigate their benefits letters and securing state benefits, and working on various written documents such as grant applications and an emergency handbook.
This summer Georgia worked with engaging with every program that MCHPP provides, however, she spent a majority of her time in the Food Pantry. By assessing the quality and quantity of leftover dry goods and produce, Georgia restocks the entire Food Pantry every morning. She then receives a new shipment of produce to continue restocking. During the day, Georgia engages with guests, works the intake desk, the deli counter, and manages volunteer activity. By creating a volunteer survey and workshopping new guidelines for guests, Georgia also worked on implementing a more efficient OrderAhead online grocery program.
Sophia spent her summer interning at , a non-profit dedicated to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity. Sophia pursued several projects. She researched the demographics of Brunswick and 40 surrounding towns that Tedford serves, analyzing population, race, average median income, and other factors in order to provide a better understanding of Tedford’s clients, to assist equity efforts, and to aid town municipal outreach. She connected with Tedford staff and the wider community, learning about the wide range of talents, roles and responsibilities involved in non-profit work. Another highlight of her summer was writing a column for the Portland Press Herald about her experience with Tedford.
provides accessible art therapy programs to under-resourced neighborhoods and schools in the Midcoast, Central, and Western regions. This was at the core of Ruby’s summer work, engaging and creating thematic driven programming centered around building resilience and expanding one’s emotional toolkit. Using clay, paint, wood, and much more; Ruby used such mediums of foreground the healing journey of art therapy. Every Friday, she collaborated with Curtis Memorial Library creating a cumulative community driven artwork during free lunch drop off. The hanging sculpture titled “ Hanging Together” is still on display. She also created, curated, and implemented an exhibit titled “ The Power of Art Therapy” displayed in the Morrell Meeting Room for the month of August which welcomed one to journey down our road of wellness, connecting the core values of art therapy with stories of resilience celebrating ArtVan’s twenty year tenure.
The Immigrant Resource Center, located in Brunswick’s Welcome Center, offers many vital services for the town’s newest immigrant residents. As an English Educator Intern, Carolyne developed curriculum for the center’s English classes; organized and led Zoom and in-person classes; and learned about the challenges New Mainers face when coming to the United States. She also utilized her French language skills to communicate with clients, offering translation and job search services. At the end of her internship, she was trained in a new teaching style (the “Rassias method”) and cared for children while their mothers underwent a two-week intensive English class at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ.
This summer, Charlotte split her time working with and the r. With HRY, she collaborated with her supervisor to outline a host home binder and school binder to help support hosts, youth, and inform the community. Additionally, she compiled outreach events in the area to increase awareness and support of the organization. She also shadowed check-in meetings with youth and host home applicants. In the teen center, Charlotte monitored teens and helped organize activities for teens to explore the community.
This summer, Daniela Zarraga worked with the in the Portland office. As part of the legal team, she assisted on a variety of projects across different departments. This consisted of assisting asylum seekers through the Asylum Assistance and Legal Orientation Project (AALOP), helping the Full Representation team with filing a U-visa case, along with conducting research and organizing evidence for a variety of other cases including–Change of Venue clinics, Employment Authorization, Citizenship, and Permanent Residence applications. Lastly, Daniela was able to facilitate client communications and appointments through Spanish interpretation and translation.
Fiona spent her summer working at . She primarily supported the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)–a federally funded program offering free meals to kids and teens when they are out of school. Each day, Fiona supervised the summer meals site at Curtis Memorial Library, distributing lunch and providing activities for kids. She also transported meals to camps in Brunswick and Lisbon as well as coordinated logistics with program partners. Outside of SFSP, Fiona administered a survey to food pantry guests for MCHPP to better understand the impact of its services. 
Alex spent this summer working with the as a mentor in their summer teen program. Working with three different communities, he helped the teens identify a problem in their neighborhood and work toward solutions that would remedy the root causes of the problem. Each community hosted their own event to increase awareness and bring their solution into practice. In addition, he led team-building exercises, developed activities to build various life skills, and helped each teen develop their own resume.
Daniel worked with 
Carina Lim-Huang spent her summer as an intern at the , where she contributed across different teams. Utilizing GIS software, she crafted visual representations of Maine's counties based on their percentage of white populations, providing insights into jury pool selection. Furthermore, Carina penned articles addressing affirmative action and abortion, highlighting their importance in the contemporary context. She also refined case briefs on the ACLU Maine website, ensuring clarity and easy comprehension for readers. Alongside these achievements, she assisted in enhancing inter-staff communication, strengthening the organization's collaborative efforts.
This summer, Claire Nguyen had the opportunity to work with , a non-profit in Portland that assists asylum-seekers. She spent most of her time at the Asylum Seeker Assistance Program, providing direct client services to walk-in clientele. This consisted primarily of completing change of address forms, housing applications, and clothing requests. On Tuesdays, she filled out work permit applications their clinic in the Portland Public Library. Lastly, she conducted an independent research project investigating the wellness services that are offered to immigrant women and children in the Portland area.
Fay worked with ArtVan this summer. Established in 2004, offers a safe, feedback-oriented environment for youth ages 3 to 17 and adults who may benefit from strengths-based art therapy. At no cost to families, ArtVan empowers youth to safely manage emotional expression and engage in the larger community. Without pursuing mental health diagnoses, we meet youth as they show up. ArtVan reaches all genders, racial and ethnic identities, and religious backgrounds right in their neighborhoods.
As Communications Intern for , Brooks assisted with regular content creation for the Telling Room, recording photo, video, and audio content for the organization's youth writing programs and publication events. This work took him throughout the state, from visiting camps at the Telling Room location in Portland to helping prepare a newly-published author for headshots and interview up in Bangor. Copywriting duties included contributing to The Telling Room’s newsletter of over 4.7K subscribers. Brooks also engaged in projects to refine existing program’s communications strategies and organize a database of the organization’s stakeholders.
Part of Emely's summer work was independent projects given by and then working at the Brunswick Teen Center. For HRY, Emely helped develop a stronger presence both digitally and in person. This included creating new social media, making advertising posters for schools, and updating their website. For the teen center, Emely helped maintain a welcoming environment by preparing fresh food, mediating conversations, and discussing new topics with the teens. Emely also had to participate in training related to youth-populated areas like safety, cultural, and LGBTQ+ support training. 
Jiahn worked with this Advocacy Team this summer, conducting legislative research and community outreach to develop and advocate for policy solutions around homelessness, affordable housing, and food insecurity. She worked with the lived experience group Homeless Voices for Justice (HVJ), collaborating with advocates to produce a newsletter. Her independent projects included creating an archive of HVJ, using testimony, news clips, press releases, interviews, and more to develop a timeline of HVJ’s last 20 plus years of community advocacy, and writing a candidates’ questionnaire for the fall You Don’t Need a Home to Vote campaign. 
The majority of the fellow’s time was spent gleaning at local farms alongside volunteers, leading produce processing volunteer shifts in ’s Community Kitchen, and participating in a variety of MCHPP’s other programs. These experiences provided an opportunity to learn more about Maine’s food systems and the efforts being taken to ensure their sustainability. Through the task of connecting with several other non-profit organizations in and around Brunswick to gather feedback on the gleaning program, they were also offered an extensive view into Midcoast Maine and the impressive work that non-profit organizations are doing to strengthen the Midcoast communities. 
Bella spent the summer collecting content for 's social media and newsletter. She conducted and transcribed interviews with a variety of Tedford’s staff, clients, board, donors, and volunteers, using snippets from the interviews as content for a series of social media posts called “Voices of Tedford.” She researched various topics related to homelessness to create educational posts. Additionally, Bella helped produce a video promoting Tedford’s efforts to establish a new facility, as well as a client-centered promotional video for United Way Androscoggin. She also wrote an article for the Times Record’s “Giving Voice” section and wrote a Tedford newsletter entry featuring the personal story of a Tedford client.
This summer Annika worked at Preble Street, whose mission is to provide services to individuals who are experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. Her responsibilities included assisting with meal preparation, supporting the mobile food pantry, and distributing breakfast and lunch in downtown Portland. She also worked with advocacy staff to plan a new Food Justice Coalition, which will provide a way for individuals with lived experience of food insecurity to provide feedback about Preble Street's services and advocate for policy change.
With the Merrymeeting Gleaners, Liliana split her time between gleaning on several local farms and working on independent projects to benefit the Gleaners. At these local farms, Liliana met and worked alongside dedicated volunteers, and saw the direct impacts of her efforts as she delivered the gleaned produce to local recipient organizations responding to food insecurity. Additionally, Liliana conducted interviews with 18 different recipient organizations to find out how the Gleaners could better serve them. Lastly, she wrote an article that was published in the Press Herald, and she created two videos documenting different aspects of the Gleaners’ work and purpose.
Over the course of the internship at , Kavi's main project was the streaming of data storage and collection. A lot of this involved consolidating information from across platforms and formatting it for easy access and future additions. In addition to Data Management, he was also involved in turning this information into graphics to be used during board presentations. An example of this is the Mentor Program Feedback graphic. This graphic utilized survey responses to highlight a lack of communication between mentors and mentees. In addition to this he spent time in staff meetings and around the office learning about the organization and the affects his work will have.
This summer, Jess worked with , a multiracial and multigenerational community center delivering squash, education and wellness to students in their families in Portland. During PCS’s in-person summer program, Jess helped facilitate and lead a wide range of educational activities for students. She also created an enrichment curriculum aimed towards guiding students towards taking advantage of personal and professional opportunities for growth to be implemented during school-year programs. In addition, Jess researched literature supporting PCS’s Theory of Change, culminating in a virtual meeting with Bob Putnam, the author of multiple books that heavily influence PCS’s work.
Tess split her time between and the . Housing Resources for Youth connects homeless youth with host families, and Tess assisted Housing Resources for Youth by creating resources to educate the host families about how to support LGBTQ homeless youth. The Teen Center is part of People Plus, which is Brunswick’s community center. The Teen Center is a safe, fun place for Brunswick teenagers to gather, play games and sports, and eat healthy food. At the Teen Center, Tess monitored and supported the teens.
The people at genuinely care about creating an environment that enables asylum-seekers to have a successful transition from their home country to the United States. The demographic that they are primarily concerned with are typically fleeing a country to escape life-threatening situations and hostile governments. As a result, the nature of this work requires significant attention to detail and involves working with people who likely do not speak English. They often require help solving complex issues that range from speaking with immigration agencies on their behalf, filing work permits, arranging transportation to legal appointments, assisting in compiling housing applications, to ordering the necessities like food and clothing from other local nonprofits on their behalf.
The fellowship position at is a blend of programmatic and communications work. Two to three days each week, the fellow will join the Program Director Jamie Silvestri, and Therapeutic Arts Assistant Julianna Nelson on art therapy program stops in the neighborhoods that ArtVan serves. On these days, the fellow is responsible for helping set up the project and assisting the youth in their art making throughout the session. On non-program days, the fellow works closely with Executive Director Shannon Els on outreach, communications, and event planning for the organization. This includes creating social media posts, zines and others storyboards, and fundraiser promotion.
The internship at is heavily focused on community outreach to expand and keep the directory up to date on the internal organization system and public website, which requires minimal technical skills. The outreach was completed through numerous methods such as calling, social media, email, and setting up a video call. Intern reached out to businesses provided by their superior and other Black businesses they personally are aware of. In addition to outreach, the intern will assist with strategic planning and fundraising efforts. Previously, an intern worked with ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ Track and Field on the Bear the Torch fundraiser.
Jessia Bae '22 (undeclared)
Mollie Eisner '21 (English and Government & Legal Studies)
Elise Hocking '22 (undeclared)
Sarah Brigid Konefal '20 (Biology and Gender, Sexuality, and Womens Studies)
Anne McKee '20 (Environmental Studies and History)
Clare Murphy '20 (Government & Legal Studies and Latin American Studies)
Archer Thomas '21 (Government & Legal Studies and History)
Lily Tedford '22 (undeclared)
Anna Fauver '20 (History) worked in Portland, ME with . Founded by Senator George Mitchell, MI gives a college scholarship to one high school student from every public high school in Maine. They not only provide various means of financial support to their Scholars, but also provides personal support and leadership training to ensure success in college and beyond. Anna helped in these endeavors by planning annual events for Scholars such as MILE III, the Welcome Brunch and the Camp Susan Curtis Visit, as well as assisting with research projects such as the Incoming Scholar Profile and yearly board updates.
Eskedar Girmash '20 (Africana Studies) worked with the executive director, Anita Ruff, on projects related to nonprofit management and community outreach. One of her projects focused on improving the clinic’s volunteer program. She developed a volunteer handbook, volunteer newsletter, and a volunteer appreciation station. For the communications portion of her fellowship, Eskedar developed an informational packet for new patients, posters for patient outreach, managed Oasis’s website and social media, wrote newsletters and articles for the Times Record, and worked on a video for the Clinic.
Charlotte Hall '20 (Mathematics and Psychology) worked in Brunswick, ME at , a non-profit focused on addressing food insecurity in the Mid Coast area. She worked with all the programs at MCHPP through completing projects for program supervisors such as updating a resource guide, evaluating and transferring donor data, and creating a timeline for MCHPP's 35th anniversary. Throughout the summer, Charlotte helped coordinate the Summer Food Service Program and participated in it through being a site supervisor at Curtis Memorial Library.
Joe Hilleary '20 (Mathematics) served as the 
Elise Moreno '19 (Government & Legal Studies and Latin American Studies) At the , Elise met one on one with clients to file applications with U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services. As Maine’s only statewide legal aid agency dedicated to providing assistance to low-income immigrants, ILAP helps Maine’s immigrants keep their families together, gain protection from persecution, attain residency and work authorization, and become proud U.S citizens. Elise served as an interpreter for Spanish speaking clients and translated ProSe materials into Spanish.
Emily Olick Llano '20 (undeclared) As the Gleaners Fellow, Emily coordinated and attended weekly volunteer-run gleaning trips. These trips entailed visiting farms that the Gleaners partner with, harvesting excess produce, delivering the produce to recipient organizations, and logging the produce gleaned by quantity and type. Emily also spent the summer working on a project to increase education about the produce that the gleaners deliver to their recipient organizations. She compiled recipes and instructions for identifying, preserving, re-growing, and storing produce, by type, to each of the 31 recipient organizations. This booklet helped increase the accessibility and utility of the food the Merrymeeting Gleaners redistribute. gleaning.
Annie Rose '20 (Education and Psychology) worked in Brunswick with , a local organization that partners with people and their communities to create pathways from homelessness to home in the Midcoast region. Focusing on volunteer placement and management, Annie interviewed staff members and case managers to identify their volunteer needs and appropriately consider new opportunities for volunteer engagement. Working alongside the Director of Development, Annie accordingly designed a new organizational framework to better facilitate consistent participation and communication among Tedford volunteers.
Nick Sarni '20 (Economics) worked with this summer. Founded in 2004, ArtVan is a mobile arts therapy organization located in Brunswick that seeks to serve underprivileged and disadvantaged communities and youth having little or no arts access. Art therapy allows participants to share an experience with others and themselves, through the expression of artistic mediums, allowing one to channel feelings, transform ideas, develop creative solutions to problems, build self-confidence, and adjust to unfamiliar circumstances. The art making process, implemented by ArtVan, fosters a peer to peer interactional opportunity for healthy relationship building while allowing individuals to interpret the world around them in their own unique way.
Abdul-Latif Armiyaw '18 (Biology) worked in Brunswick, ME with to coordinate & evaluate USDA Summer Food Service Program and research a pilot program for their mobile food pantry, using GIS training to help find potential sites.
Julianna Burke '18 (Francophone Studies and Sociology) worked in the greater Brunswick area with , a mobile arts therapy organization seeking to provide meaningful and fun artistic programming for youth lacking such opportunities. She supported their on site programming and fundraising efforts, and assisted the organization with administrative needs.
Steven Colin '18 (Hispanic Studies and Latin American Studies) wworked in Portland, ME with on their USDA Summer Food Service Program to improve Food Supplement Program participation through enrollment & outreach and supported food delivery at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen.
Miranda Dils '19 (English and Psychology) joined the staff at the and assisted the team in its mission to provide financial and personal support to Maine high school students of all backgrounds seeking higher education. She worked on a variety of projects, including helping to distribute and collect a survey to college students and Mitchell Institute alums, analyzing the survey data in order to expand the current research and improve the scholarship program, developing marketing content for various platforms, and planning signature events for Scholars.
Olivia Giles '20 worked this summer in Brunswick as part of community. She helped create a database of contacts and resources available in the Midcoast Maine region in order assist guests in finding services that are not currently offered at The Gathering Place. Olivia also helped research and plan programming for the guests in order to improve their visits.
Bridget Hoke '20 worked at to support outreach efforts for the community needs assessments and development projects in public housing neighborhoods around the City of Portland. She also supported outreach efforts for our development department and possibly research opportunities, services, programs, and grants to address established needs and make recommendations to the PHA.
Sarah Lim '18 (Government & Legal Studies and Psychology) examined the barriers facing immigrants, refugees, asylees, and low income individuals and families in the greater Portland area with Community Financial Literacy. Financial instability is a mitigating factor that debilitates upward mobility, and the support and empowerment that the CFL provides through financial literacy education is unique and critical for the growing immigrant population in Maine.
Victoria Lowrie '18 (Government & Legal Studies) offered concrete legal assistance to the marginalized population of refugees and immigrants residing in Maine through this fellowship with . By working to address the various legal concerns that an immigrant may face, she expanded individuals' opportunities to comfortably settle and thrive in Maine.
Julie Scholes '20 interned at in Portland shadows project managers to learn about the specific roles and organization within PWH, analyzed data collected from prior medical missions led by PWH, researched and identified potential grants and funders, and assisted in the organization of fundraising events throughout the summer.
Through the McKeen Center and ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ Career Planning, Abby Silsby '20 worked with the and the constituents of the West Bath Courthouse to explore the opportunities and issues around legal advocacy in mid coast Maine.
Evan Baughman '17 (Religion) worked with s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) renewal cases for clients from Honduras and El Salvador. He also assisted clients seeking immigration benefits such as permanent residence and citizenship, and helped during intake appointments by screening clients for eligibility. Evan’s specific duties included reaching out to clients for scheduling, assisting clients in filling out immigration forms, as well as writing cover letters and affidavits explaining more complicated aspects of their immigration history.
Sophie Cowen '18 (Sociology and Francophone Studies) worked with the this past summer. In this effort to eradicate food insecurity in Maine, she engaged in outreach projects, conducted research to promote policy change, and supported food programs in schools and communities. Specific projects included Summer Meals site support - such as nutrition education program development, Hunger In Maine survey data collection and entry, and literature review research for the study; and Preble Street programs work, such as Resource Center staffing and Food Programs support at the Food Pantry and Soup Kitchens.
At the , Lindsey Duff '18 (Psychology) helped advance the Center’s program evaluation project which aims to quantify the Center’s impact on families and identify possible improvements to the services that the Center offers. She refined the Center’s questionnaire, analyzed three years of data collected from participants in the Center’s peer support groups, and made recommendations to the Center by interpreting the results. Lindsey also had the opportunity to be trained as a volunteer facilitator for a weekly peer support group for 7-9 year olds who had lost a relative.
As an intern at the , Joyce Kim '18 (Government & Legal Studies and Hispanic Studies) worked closely with staff to maintain Mitchell Scholar engagement and implement signature events throughout the summer. Her main projects involved organizing and participating in a Mitchell Institute Leadership Experience (MILE) with a small group of Scholars, and facilitating a college aspirations dialogue with students entering their junior and senior years of high school. In addition, Joyce updated annual reports, conducted research on free tuition at colleges, and helped distribute and collect multiple longitudinal surveys, all of which exposed her to the wide range of educational offerings in Maine.
Eva Sibinga '17 (English) focused on creating data visualizations to help the tell its story as an organization. This included many maps visualizing Portland’s demographics in relation to the demographic makeup of PHA residents, as well as graphs and maps derived from a survey about resident transportation needs. Eva worked for both the Development Department and the Resident Services office, and spent time working in the PHA office as well as assisting the free summer lunch program at Front Street development. Overall, the experience was largely defined by the joint experience of interactions with residents, and diverse office work aimed at helping those same residents in various direct and indirect ways.
John Sledge '18 (Government & Legal Studies) worked with , a public housing agency that has needed to confront the challenges of easing an affordable housing crisis at a time of budget cuts and an increased regulatory burden. His work focused on learning more about the financial operation by compiling multiple financial statements, writing a request for a grant to redevelop one of their communities, and learning more about the development process by attending town planning board meetings and conducting bids for site work at a new development in Topsham. Additionally, John worked with children living at one of their communities by assisting two summer enrichment programs.
As a fellow with the , Jonah Watt '18 (Latin American Studies) split his time between the Augusta office and time out in the fields working on the program’s mobile medical units. In the office, he worked on preparing the organization’s mobile medical units for the summer’s clinics and developed an online mapping database using GIS. For the month of August, he was based Downeast where the blueberry farms are located. While there, he worked on registration for the clinics and staffed food drops, dental clinics, and other resource fairs in the area, having the chance to interact with clients.
At the Jack Weiss '17 (Government and Legal Studies) focused on identifying and quantifying lost federal funding in Maine. Through extensive research, and outreach to the many MECEP partners, he concluded that Maine has lost close to one billion dollars of funding. In addition to this research, Jack wrote articles on the current state of tax expenditure review, the effects of new federal overtime legislation, and the need to support adult post-secondary education. Through these efforts Jack learned the value of effective economic policy and how it influences Mainers everyday.
Daisy Wislar '18 (Sociology and Gender, Sexuality & Women Studies) completed a number of projects this summer while working at . One main focus was researching senior hunger in the Midcoast area, and collaborating with local partner organizations and stakeholders to assess need. She researched the viability of licensing MCHPP’s kitchen as a commercial kitchen to be leased by local food producers. In addition to her research, Daisy completed a comprehensive assessment of volunteer experience—including conducting a series of focus groups, a survey, and analyzing all findings in a series of annual reports for agency review.
Mariette Aborn '17 (Economics and French) engaged closely with data on Maine students at with her main project focused on compiling data to help author a report on the enrollment trends of Maine students. She also updated data on Mitchell Scholars to produce the annual Scholar Profile, participated in two leadership-building weekend experiences for Mitchell Scholars, and organized a dialogue for rising juniors on college aspirations.
As an fellow, Julian Andrews '17 (Psychology) attended programs during the week working with children and adults in under-resourced neighborhoods in the Bath, Brunswick and Lewiston/Auburn areas. He also helped run ArtVan’s social media and web 
Madeline Cole '16 (Government & Legal Studies) worked in 's 
At 
Ryan Herman '17 (Biochemistry) spent this summer working with and the . He balanced his time between these two non-profits with both direct service, client and volunteer interactions, research, and administrative capacity-building. For FSC, Ryan traveled to neighboring food pantries and worked with their coordinators and clients to conduct personalized client surveys. For MCHPP, Ryan’s biggest project involved an in-depth financial and nutritional analysis of their food pantry.
At ’s Maine Hunger Initiative, Shannon McCabe '17 (Sociology and Environmental Studies) advocated for solutions to end hunger in Maine by identifying public policy priorities and organizing testimony from those who experience food insecurity. Shannon assisted in the planning of Portland’s public hearing for the congressionally-appointed National Commission on 
While interning at , Marysol Newton '17 (Government & Legal Studies) assisted in organizing and conducting a needs assessment to identify additional patient populations outside of farmworkers that MMHP might serve. She was able to identify the locations and needs of hospitality workers in Maine and, using this information, she organized surveys and focus groups to gather information about the target population’s health care needs.
Katie Churchill’s '16 (English and French) fellowship at the was comprised of writing, reading, thinking, and meeting. She traveled frequently with MECEP staff to the State House in Augusta for taskforces and hearings—working to connect with other like-minded organizations around the state to cooperatively advance the quality of life for Mainers by disseminating thoughtful policy strategies to the public and legislators alike.
Justin Ehringhaus '16 (Asian Studies) spent his summer working with Community Financial Literacy, a small nonprofit organization based in Portland, Maine that provides immigrants, refugees, and asylees with money management workshops, courses, and counseling at no cost. His major projects included developing curriculum and designing materials for a new course, installing and troubleshooting a NAS server, and writing a needs assessment report based on his research, survey, and focus group information. Attending CFL courses, especially, has inspired him to consider declaring a minor in Education.
This summer, Kelsey Freeman '16 (Government & Legal Studies) interned at , compiling data on college enrollment, college persistence, and degree completion for students in Maine. She used these statistics to help write a report on college-going trends. Kelsey contributed to a committee who brainstormed ideas for creating a Mitchell Institute college aspirations program by collecting data to help pinpoint high schools with the greatest need. Additionally, Kelsey created a project where she researched and wrote a report on college-going trends among Native American students in Maine.
Jordan Lantz '15 (History) spent his summer working with in Brunswick providing free, quality health care to persons of limited means in greater Bath-Brunswick. He worked with the Community Prescription Assistance Program that helps Medicare and Medicaid patients, and those with no insurance obtain free prescription medication, and he organized and facilitated a meeting of leaders and physicians from the free clinics in Maine to lay the groundwork for future collaboration.
Elena Schaef '15 (English and French) spent her summer with , providing free mobile arts therapy programs to children, teens and adults in underserved neighborhoods. Her work ranged from planning and executing the logistics of daily programs to sorting and cleaning supplies in the storage space. She participated in grant research and writing and collected information on the programs' efficacy. Elena also introduced improvisational theatre activities for ArtVan students.
Caitlin Shaffer '16 (Psychology) spent her summer at (MCHPP) and The Food Security Coalition of Mid Coast Maine (FSC). For MCHPP, she created a series of surveys which were administered in the Food Pantry and in the Soup Kitchen to determine client satisfaction and analyze the effectiveness of their programs. For FSC, she created and updated operating manuals for five food pantries throughout the region. Caitlin also collaborated with ArtVan at a Summer Feeding Site and tabled with Oasis Free Clinic in the Food Pantry.
In her fellowship at Preble Street-Maine Hunger Initiative, Tenzin Tsagong '16 (Government & Legal Studies) helped advance their mission of ending hunger and reducing poverty in the state of Maine through her management of the Farm to Pantry program which pairs 23 food pantries in Cumberland County with local farms in Maine that supply fresh produce throughout the growing season. She supported the USDA Summer Food Service Program that provides free summer meals for kids in underserved areas through community outreach efforts to promote the meal sites and recruit volunteers.
Leah Anderson '15 (Mathematics/Economics) collaborated with all of Community Financial Literacy’s staff as well as volunteers and members of their Board of Directors during her fellowship this summer. CFL is a Portland-based non-profit that provides free money management courses on different topics as well as one-on-one financial counseling for immigrants, refugees, asylees, and low-income individuals and families. A small organization with only two full-time and two part-time staff, CFL’s passion towards bettering the lives of Maine’s immigrants and refugees is overwhelming. Leah’s projects were focused on curriculum development and general office assistance, with plenty of direct contact with clients and the greater immigrant community.
This summer Courtney Chuang '15 (Sociology/Gender & Women’s Studies) split her time between (MCHPP) and The Food Security Coalition of Mid Coast Maine (FSC). MCHPP provides food assistance to low-income households through its Food Pantry, Food Bank, and Soup Kitchen. FSC, which is housed at MCHPP, provides technical assistance to smaller food pantries in Mid Coast Maine. For MCHPP, Courtney developed a communication plan to celebrate the agency’s 10th anniversary on Union Street. For FSC, Courtney crafted operating manuals for two food pantries and wrote several resource guides for new pantries. Courtney also had the opportunity to design a new agency brochure, supervise a Summer Feeding Site, and interview past staff and board members.
In his fellowship at , Tom Gawarkiewicz '15 (Mathematics and Economics/Government & Legal Studies) worked on a variety of projects to get a better understanding of Maine’s economy and economics as a whole. His main project was working with the staff economist on the "State of Working Maine 2013", which provides a comprehensive overview of the employment and living situation facing working Mainers. Tom also worked on blog posts on topics ranging from summer food programs to expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit for Maine.
Casey Correa '14 (Visual Arts/English) worked with the staff to create a plan that balanced spending time in the field, developing the organization’s resources and programming, and doing promotional work. She made art alongside a diverse group of kids from the Bath, Brunswick, and Lewiston/Auburn communities. Developmental and promotional work allowed Casey to gain a more complete understanding of the components that contribute to a successful non-profit organization. Her flexibility and organization were key in working with the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the organization and the communities that it serves.
Danielle Orchant '14 (Africana Studies/Education) spent her summer working at the . Each year, the Mitchell Institute provides college scholarships to students from every public high school in Maine. Danielle researched potential funding sources for a campaign to increase the amount of assistance awarded to those who receive a Mitchell scholarship. MI staff also study the underlying issues surrounding access to college. Toward these ends, Danielle compiled a literature review of the latest research on students’ college aspirations, and aggregated data on indicators of barriers to higher education. She also helped to compile an aspirations report to distribute to each public high school in Maine, based on survey responses completed by the schools’ principals, directors, and guidance counselors.
As a research intern at the , Abby Roy '16 (Anthropology and Government & Legal Studies/Education) spent time working with both the scholarship aspect and the research aspect of the organization. Her main research projects involved looking at data put out by the Maine Department of Education with detailed reports on the college-going behavior of graduates from every public high school in Maine. Abby also spent time working with aggregated data for an Indicators report detailing the state of education in Maine. On the scholarship side, Abby compiled application and scholar trends in order to complete an annual Mitchell Scholar Profile.
Lane Sturtevant '15 (Anthropology and Gender & Women’s Studies/Chinese) spent this summer at in Portland, ME working with The Maine Hunger Initiative. This initiative is an anti-hunger advocacy project that works to support and connect emergency food providers throughout Maine, implement and conduct outreach for federal supplemental nutrition programs like free summer lunches for children, and advocate for more sustainable, shame-free solutions to the widespread problem of hunger in Maine. Lane became familiar with all of these elements of the project and contributed directly to them. Responsibilities included a variety of tasks, such as providing resource information to food pantry clients and coordinating summer lunch sites.
The (MECEP) bases its policy analysis on the advancement of a strong and sustainable economy for Maine people. Through her work this summer, Alexandra Alvarez '13 (Sociology/Education Studies) researched the possibilities of expanding early childhood education in Maine and was able to discuss her research with other organizations invested in the issue. She wrote an article for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s online magazine with one of MECEP's policy analysts on the positive impact of immigrant small business owners on Maine’s economy. AdditionallyAlexandra co-hosted MECEP’s cable TV show, State of the State, during which she interviewed two other ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ fellows on their summer experiences engaging with non-profit work.
Community Financial Literacy provides financial education to Maine’s immigrant and refugee communities. This summer, Caroline Blake '14 (Government & Legal Studies/Spanish) helped revise the curriculum of CFL's "Basic Money Management" course. In June, she conducted a "community needs" survey of CFL’s target population. Then, together with a Programming Task Force, used the data she collected to develop five class sessions. Caroline also helped develop CFL's basic infrastructure—researching current best practices in non-profit management and using her findings to draft new policies, organize official documents, and create an employee handbook. Caroline also investigated new sources of funding and worked on several grant proposals.
Jae Bradley '13 (Economics and Government & Legal Studies/Mathematics) worked as a policy analyst at the . During his time at MECEP, Jae analyzed higher education policy, changes in tax policy that occurred under Maine's 125th Legislature, researched the drivers of Maine’s net migration, and assessed the state of Maine jobs. To cap the summer, Jae hosted State of the State – a public access television show –which was an experience that was both one of the most nerve-wracking and rewarding experiences of the fellowship.
This summer Sasha Davis '13 (Government & Legal Studies/Education) interned at , a mobile arts therapy program that brings free art services to populations, mostly children, with the least amount of social services available to them. Along with researching fundraising options, helping to edit and write grant narratives, and communicating with local businesses that support ArtVan, she also helped with planning and co-facilitating programs in each of the six low-income and subsidized housing developments the ArtVan visits in Bath, Brunswick, Biddeford, and Lewiston-Auburn. Sasha loved working on incorporating theater and movement pieces into the programming with the kids.
Emma Johnson '14 (Anthropology/Gender & Women’s Studies) worked for , an organization addressing hunger and homelessness in Maine. Preble Street runs a multitude of operations, including an adult day shelter, a women's shelter, full-time teen services, low-barrier housing facilities, daily meals, a food pantry, casework, and advocacy programs including Homeless Voices for Justice and the Maine Hunger Initiative (MHI). Spending most of her time with MHI, Emma was part of a team trying to solve the hunger crisis efficiently and humanely, facilitating such projects as the Summer Food Service Program, the Farm to Pantry project bringing local vegetables to food pantries, and partnerships with various pantries and food agencies.
This summer Brian Kim '13 (English and Economics/Music and Teaching) worked at the . His work largely revolved around the Institute’s research briefs to schools and administrators - aggregating and transforming data from the Department of Education, Department of Labor, Census Bureau, as well as other research groups to summarize the relevant information into readable formats for educators. Using that data, schools are then able to compare their progress and performance with others of similar socioeconomic and cultural demographics. Brian also assisted the Institute in conducting their longitudinal studies on scholarship recipients, tracking trends in educational attainment, graduation rates, and post-graduate employment.
Ariye Krassner '14 (Psychology) spent her summer interning at , an organization that helps children and adults with developmental disabilities to live meaningful and fully inclusive lives. Ariye completed the online College of Direct Support program and attended a 2-day live training to become a certified Direct Support Professional, which enables her to provide in-home support to people with developmental disabilities. After completing the training, Ariye wrote an evaluation of the training experience, which will be reviewed at the state level before it is taken by an IA employee to a national conference. Ariye filmed the IA new hire training so that employees will not need to teach their portion of the training live every month. She also shadowed different parts of the organization in order to evaluate the applicability of the material taught in the new hire training. This shadowing in different departments gave Ariye a broader picture of their work and allowed her to interact with the Independence Association’s consumers, which is a demographic of people that she’s interested in working with long-term.
Bridgett McCoy '15 (Undeclared) worked as an organizing and outreach intern for the . She split her time between civic engagement and environmental justice projects. Through the civic engagement work, Bridgett and her co-workers collected hundreds of signatures and political actions from people all across the state of Maine in support of chemical reform policy. The outreach took place either at pre-existing events hosted by other entities, or at events the interns themselves planned. Bridgett also conducted independent research to expand the organization’s focus on environmental justice and created a database of leaders in low socioeconomic-status and racial minority communities.
While working at Emily Norton '14 (Government & Legal Studies/Economics) assisted in a wide range of administrative and legal tasks. Under attorney supervision, Emily prepared permanent resident, citizenship, and work permit applications for clients in ILAP's pro se clinic. She assisted attorneys in their legal cases, obtained client's criminal records, and conducted country conditions research. In addition, Emily accompanied ILAP's detention attorney to several know-your-rights presentations at the Cumberland County Jail. She assisted with front desk coverage, answering phones and handling other administrative tasks. Finally, Emily worked closely with ILAP's asylum attorney to overhaul the Googlesite for the pro bono panel asylum attorneys.
Manuela Ekowo '13 (Government & Legal Studies/Education Studies) had the opportunity to update the Indicators of Higher Education Attainment in Maine: College as a Right and Responsibility for all Maine People report for the . In this brief period of time, Manuela was able to fully understand the educational goals of the state of Maine, how the state is working to meet New England and national standards across all academic benchmarks and how over the past ten years, Maine has steadily made progress in most areas, exceeding New England and national levels on some standards. This internship has encouraged her to pursue her career interest in education, and has given her more insight into the operations of nonprofit organizations.
Working at Kayte Holtz '13 (Psychology) served meals to nearly 300 people daily. She started off greeting clients as she walked into the dining room each morning. By the end of the summer, numerous clients started to recognize her as a helpful part of their life and began to excitedly welcome her. Kayte spent her time organizing, prepping, cooking, cleaning and directing volunteers to do the same throughout the day to prepare for lunch. She enjoyed being a server at lunchtime knowing that she had helped to create and serve a meal that many would have otherwise gone without.
This summer Lindsey Horowitz '12 (English and French) worked with , a local non-profit committed to strengthening communities through the arts. She contributed to a new website that provides information about ArtWalks across the state and worked to strengthen membership through personal contact with artists. Because of the small size of this organization, Lindsey discovered how non-profits function from a variety of perspectives and contributed to nearly all aspects of the organization, including working with new groups whose missions closely align with that of FRAA.
At , Meg Ishizuka '12 (Psychology/Education Studies) helped create visual supports for the individuals the organization serves. These visual supports included routines that illustrate how to do laundry, clean rooms, shave, go to the bathroom, and shower. In addition, Meg's interactions with the safety committee and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as her participation in incident report and person centered planning meetings provided insight into the daily running of a non-profit.
Emma James '13 (Anthropology/Education Studies) contributed to the primarily with her design and marketing skills. She spent a majority of the summer creating 
Amar Patel '12 (Economics and Government & Legal Studies) worked with the . His biggest project of this multifaceted summer was working with the policy analysts to create a profile of Cumberland County which examined the financial security of families. He also worked to update the yearly report on working poor families in the state and hosted his own State of the State television show on which two of his fellow classmates appeared.
Jordan Payne '12 (Government & Legal Studies and Sociology) worked with the , a non-profit legal aid organization that provides free legal information, assistance and representation to low income Mainers facing civil legal issues. For her summer project Jordan used her background in interviewing and video editing to create a recruitment video for the VLP website. She spent time taking client calls, and represented cases at VLP’s weekly "case meetings".
Jennifer Wenz '12 (Religion) worked with Community Financial Literacy, an ethnic community-based organization in Portland. CFL provides financial literacy courses for refugees and immigrants who need these basic skills to find financial stability for their families. She spent the summer conducting research for their strategic planning process, interviewing community leaders, partners, CFL members, and students about the refugee community in Portland and about how CFL can grow to meet their needs. She worked on a number of additional projects, including writing the 2010 Annual Report, developing new marketing tools, designing new organizational databases, and writing grants for new teaching programs.
Laurel Curtis '14 (undeclared) worked this summer with the to create a system to accept food stamps. Gaining the capacity to accept food stamps will not only provide an additional revenue source for the vendors at the farmers' market, but will increase the access of low-income individuals and families in the Brunswick area to fresh, locally grown and produced products. By using their benefits to purchase local products, rather than national brands, food stamp recipients directly support the local economy, including many farmers who are committed to sustainable agriculture methods.
This summer through the Forest Foundation fellowship Kristin Rogers '12 (Psychology) worked with the . She worked in many different roles assisting with grant-writing, employment services, and case management. Through this fellowship she had the opportunity not only to see the inner workings of a governmental non-profit, but also got to meet with numerous other organizations to see how they all collaborate to support the refugee communities in Maine.
Nora Krulwich '11 (Psychology & Government and Legal Studies) worked with , working on a variety of projects from collecting the stories of families who were turned away from the family shelter because there were no space available to writing grants to collecting and analyzing data. Nora worked on the biannual environmental assessment, collecting data and reporting on the current state of Tedford Housing and housing affordability in Mid-coast Maine.
Rachel McDonald '12 (Visual Arts and Art History) worked with , a local arts agency based in Brunswick. She spent much of her internship helping with summer programming, the popular summer ArtWalks in particular, and strengthening Five Rivers’ web presence. She learned how non-profits work, researching other, similar membership organizations and revising Five Rivers’ membership plan in order to create a more effective base of support in the future. Rachel visited many local studios and galleries, meeting artists and art-supporters in the area and getting to know the southern Midcoast arts community that is so vital to the region’s prosperity.
Shanthi Purushotham '12 (Neuroscience) worked with the to research health literacy and to initiate a health literacy education program. The goal of this program is to address patients’ health literacy needs by enhancing their understanding and communication with the healthcare providers. She also assisted patients applying for MaineCare. To facilitate patients’ access to community resources, she organized and compiled information from various community agencies to create an “Oasis Community Resource Guide”. Lastly, Shanthi worked to establish an “Internships in Case Management Program”, a partnership with local universities to have students serve as interns at the Oasis Health Center.
Kristin Rogers '12 (Psychology) spent the summer working with , a social work agency that strives to provide a variety of quality, barrier-free services to empower people struggling with issues of hunger, homelessness, housing and poverty. Through her work with various agencies within Preble Street such as food programs, Maine Hunger Initiative, and Homeless Voices for Justice, Kristin was able to interact with members through work in the soup kitchens and food pantry, input and organize statewide food pantry data, and assist in advocacy work.
Sophie Springer '11 (History) worked with the , an organization which aims to increase the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine will aspire to, pursue and achieve a college education. The Mitchell Institute awards scholarships to Maine high school students to reach this goal. Sophie completed research and produce reports concerning higher education attainment and policy in Maine. In preparation for the 2010 gubernatorial election, she assisted on a white paper concerning role of the Maine state government in higher education. Sophie also helped update the annual “Indicators of Higher Education Attainment in Maine” as well as track Mitchell Scholarship alumni.
Colleen Sweeney '11 (Government and Legal Studies & Environmental Studies) worked for the in Portland. VLP provides legal aid to low-income Maine residents in hopes that they may be given an equal opportunity to navigate the legal system. In addition to volunteering with the VLP the previous academic year, Colleen’s summer placement allowed her to broaden her knowledge of the legal realm. She invested most of her efforts interviewing clients over the phone and in person at the Court House Assistance Programs in the Portland and Lewiston District Courts. She also completed research on how the Earned Income Tax Credit can help Mainers overcome poverty.
Alisha Turak '12 (Government and Legal Studies & Economics) worked with the , a non-profit organization that promotes public policies that help Mainers prosper in a strong, fair, and sustainable economy. During her ten weeks at MECEP, Alisha helped compile and analyze data for several large projects, including an eight-year retrospective on Maine’s spending patterns and a report on the conditions of Maine’s working poor families. She also created a system for logging MECEP’s media presence, wrote several blog posts, and hosted MECEP’s weekly TV show, “State of the State.”
Rachel Turkel '11 (Philosophy/Math) worked at , a non-profit organization that provides free medical and dental clinics to the uninsured, and helps Mainers receive their prescription medications for low or no cost. Rachel worked with the Community Prescription Assistance Program (CPAP), interviewing patients and applying to pharmaceutical companies on their behalf in order to purchase medications that they could not afford. Rachel also collaborated with Mid Coast Hospital to develop fundraising material for CPAP. Further, she met with local town offices to build partnerships, and spread the word about Oasis’ services.
J.B. Chun '11 (Economics & History) worked with the to advance their core mission of advancing public policy that helps Maine people prosper in a strong, fair and sustainable economy. He was actively involved executing research related to the TABOR and the estate tax initiatives. J.B. also contributed to the State of Working Maine 2009 report and hosted an episode of the State of the State on MPBN featuring other ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ summer fellows.
Martha Clarke '11 (Government and Legal Studies) helped the advance their mission of providing sound legal advice to low income residents of the state. She spent much of her time completing in-depth phone interviews with clients regarding their legal problems and providing one-on-one assistance to clients at the Portland and Lewiston District Courts. Martha also developed her own project in which she explored the recent trend of home foreclosures both nationally and in Maine, and then updated the housing section of VLP's volunteer training manual.
Maina Handmaker '11 (Environmental Studies & Visual Arts) spent the summer working with ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ Professor Wiebke Theodore and on the concept of a year-round farmers’ market space for Brunswick. The project addressed a community need while examining building preservation and fulfilling an environmental responsibility to salvage and reuse building materials. Maina interviewed community members and incorporated their thoughts with her analysis of the site to developed a more unified vision. The program she has put together – for a space in support of small farmers, access to local food, community partnerships, and preserving a piece of Brunswick’s history, can now be used to inform the design and, perhaps eventually, the creation of the market.
Annie Kass '11 (Psychology) spent the summer working with the to bring free health care to the low-income and uninsured population of the greater Brunswick area. Throughout her internship she worked one-on-one with patients to help them apply for and obtain MaineCare and various prescription assistance programs. Annie served as staff for the biweekly mental health clinic, spent time researching the availability and standards of care of mental health services at other free clinics, and attended strategic planning meetings with the Board of Directors.
Elaine Tsai '10 (Economics) interned at . Dedicated to increasing the likelihood that young people from communities in Maine will aspire, pursue and achieve a college education, the Mitchell Institute provides scholarships and conducts research on the obstacles that may stand between Maine students and higher education. Elaine produced a literature review on workplace education for the Maine Employer’s Initiative, which she presented to the advisory board. She also helped update the “Indicators of Higher Education Attainment in Maine” report for 2009 and began the researching process for the Barriers 3 report.
Samantha Waxman '10 (Classics & English) interned with a nonprofit organization that connects Midcoast artists with the people who live in and visit the region. She used her marketing experience to help FRAA with various membership development projects, including the use of new media and the creation of a membership information packet. She also documented FRAA’s Friday ArtWalks in Brunswick and Bath, led a workshop for children at the Harpswell Festival, and had the opportunity to meet various Midcoast artists and art professionals.
Interning at , Caroline Burns '09 (Psychology) had the opportunity to learn about the type of services available for children and adults with disabilities in Midcoast Maine. She assisted Independence Association by researching and writing narratives describing treatment methods available for children with autism and helped edit a resource book that lists family-friendly and handicap accessible activities in the greater Brunswick area. Caroline also advised several adult clients through the process of applying to serve as elected members to local boards to represent elderly and disabled community members.
Seth Kelley '10 (Visual Arts) spent the summer with the researching and writing for the ArtScape publication, contributing to the website, providing publicity and promotion for summer programs, and increasing volunteer accessibility. Seth attended board and committee meetings, and a meeting of the Maine Arts Commission. He lent his graphic design skills to the creation of a new poster and brochure for the 3rd Friday ArtWalks in Bath, and spent time connecting with the arts community in the Five Rivers Area.
Jamie Nadeau '10 (Government & Legal Studies) worked with the (VLP) in Portland. Dedicated to providing legal services to low-income Maine citizens, VLP provides free information, assistance, and pro bono representation through trained community members and legal professionals. Having volunteered with VLP over the course of the past academic year, the summer placement allowed Jamie to deepen his understanding of Maine legal needs through court observations, listening to various legal presentations, and interviewing clients to ascertain their needs.
Sarah Richards '10 (Economics) worked with the (MECEP), helping to advance the organization’s mission of attaining a strong and sustainable Maine economy. She worked on a wide range of projects, including conducting data analysis, writing an op-ed about recent health care legislation and hosting an episode of MECEP’s “State of the State” show. Sarah culminated her summer by writing a draft of MECEP’s annual update on Maine’s economy, the State of Working Maine report.
Allison Ruane '09 (Economics) spent her summer at the in Portland, an organization whose core mission is to increase the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine will aspire to, pursue and achieve a college education. During her time there, she helped update the “Indicators of Higher Education Attainment in Maine” Report for 2008 and organized data received from one-hundred schools across the state. Allison also attended two symposiums over the course of the summer where she was able to experience firsthand the education community and its advocacy for Maine students.
Jason Spector '09 (Government & Legal Studies) spent the summer working with , an organization which provides housing, youth and mental health services, corrections, and transitional programs. He began at Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. (Police Officers Striving to Create and Reinforce Dreams) working with at-risk children from all sixteen Maine counties. Jason also helped to organize a job fair for the residents at the Women’s Re-entry Center in Bangor, engaged in the management of the bidding process for Women Building Futures program, and involved himself in homeless youth street outreach in Lewiston.
While working at , Carolyn Boyle '08 (Government & Legal Studies/Economics) learned about homelessness and affordable housing in MidCoast Maine. In addition to gaining experience in day-to-day non-profit management and researching and writing grants, she was responsible for planning the celebration that accompanied Tedford's opening of the Evergreen Wood Apartments for homeless families in Bath. As part of her research project for Tedford Housing, Carolyn coded the shelter's intake forms to develop a database of characteristics of guests using Tedford shelters as a basis for further study of homelessness in Maine.
Sara Griffin '09 (Art History & Visual Arts/ Latin American Studies) spent the summer with the , a non-profit organization whose mission is to connect regional arts, culture and heritage through advocacy, education, promotion, and celebration. She was able to contribute to every aspect of the organization's mission - website development, writing for the Artscape publication, and researching for and promoting events. In addition to learning new skills in technology, Sara also was exposed to institutional knowledge that allowed her privileged access into the lively culture of MidCoast Maine.
Suzanne Heller '09 (Psychology/Teaching) interned with , an organization which provides services for adults and children with developmental disabilities and promotes community inclusion. Suzanne was able to create many new opportunities for Independence Association clients and brought a fresh, new perspective to creating unique programming activities. In addition, Suzanne took on several other tasks including writing a comprehensive report of completed satisfaction surveys; creating a template for an employee newsletter; and planning a camping trip for several interested individuals.
Jeana Petillo '09 (Psychology) worked with , an organization that provides a variety of services for youth, adults, families and seniors. Starting the summer with a week as a counselor at camp POSTCARD (Police Officers Striving to Create and Reinforce Dreams), Jeana continued to address her interest in serving the needs of youth through the Homeless Youth Outreach program in Lewiston, Maine. The culmination of her summer included organizing the first-ever job fair hosted at the Maine Correctional Women's Center in Windham in which 14 Maine employers participated. The event was such a success that the Maine Department of Corrections hopes to replicate the model across the state.
Matt Yantakosol '10 (Government & Legal Studies) spent his summer working with the . His projects included creating a PowerPoint display of recent building renovations in the historic section of Brunswick; producing two brochures describing walks that he designed for Healthy Maine Walks; and updating the town's 2002 Open Space Map. This last project involved researching easements, subdivision plans, town assessing maps and deeds. Matt also attended a multitude of meetings regarding a range of town topics including transportation, the reuse of the Brunswick Naval Air Station and zoning issues.'10
As part of her fellowship with , a non-profit with a mission of assisting those with disabilities in obtaining full and inclusive lives in their community, Lily Abt interviewed parents of children with developmental disabilities about services that would enable the entire family to thrive. She also worked with members of the marketing committee to develop text for the redesigned website and assisted in implementing the Peer-to-Peer Resources Project for Independence Association adult clients interested in sharing their skills with others. In addition, by serving for the summer as an Executive Assistant to the Director, Lily was able to learn the intricacies of running and organization. Lastly, Lily was fortunate to be able to spend time talking with and working alongside artists at Spindleworks, a studio and gallery space for adults with disabilities.
Michel Bamani spent his fellowship working as an intern with , whose focus is providing affordable low-income housing for seniors and a variety of services for youth, adults and families. Michel spent his summer conducting data analysis and data collections, as well as interacting with kids. By serving as a counselor at Camp POSTCARD he played outdoors with kids and police officers for three hours a week. Michel was responsible for a survey project on elderly abuse, which included data analysis and interpretation, presenting data at a board meeting and revising the survey to better capture the desired information in the future. Michel also helped collect data regarding the BNAS closing and its possible effects on homelessness in the area, and worked on a project to help VOA strengthen their programs so that they meet their desired outcomes.
Anna Karass spent her summer at , the primary provider of shelter and housing services to residents in the area. Through her work, Karass increased her awareness of homeless issues in the area, as well as gained valuable work experience in the non-profit sector. Her first project at Tedford introduced her to grant writing and provided her with the opportunity to write portions of a federal grant application with guidance from Housing and Resources Director, Giff Jamison. Karass also developed program policies and procedures for an innovative mentoring program designed to provide homeless families and those at risk for homelessness with a caring mentor. Karass’ final project allowed her to experiment with technology by redesigning and updating the Tedford Shelter website.
Sara Schlotterbeck worked at the in Brunswick with their Community Prescription Assistance Program (CPAP). The Oasis Health Center is a free clinic that provides quality health care to eligible uninsured adults in the area. CPAP assists both patients of the clinic and patients of providers in the area in obtaining free or low-cost prescriptions through pharmaceutical company programs. Her responsibilities included patient advocacy work, research, answering phones, writing, processing applications for prescription assistance and working with others at Oasis to address situations as they arose.
Debbie Theodore spent the summer working with , a non-profit arts organization that seeks to connect the arts, culture and heritage of the mid-coast region. Debbie focused on writing promotional material for Five Rivers events, editing and adding content to the organization’s new website, gathering survey responses from local artists, promoting Five Rivers Arts Alliance at regional festivals, and attending board and committee meetings to learn about the structure of non-profit organizations. She frequently visited arts venues in Brunswick and became familiar with the challenges that local artists, gallery owners and arts and cultural organizations face. She also worked on developing closer ties between Five Rivers Arts Alliance and ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ by building relationships with the Art and Music Departments.
Alex Weaver worked in the . Much of Alex’s early work included learning about the major issues in Brunswick, through reading relevant literature and by attending meetings of local committees and organizations. As the summer progressed, Alex took on a number of projects that had a direct impact on the course of these issues throughout the summer. Such projects included compiling a funding spreadsheet for the MidCoast Collaborative of local organizations that should be contacted to make public transportation in Brunswick a reality; creating a photo documentation packet for the Town Council about ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ’s New Soccer Field project; designing two projects for ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ’s upcoming Common Good Day; and helping write a grant for the Maine Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program. In addition, Alex took meeting notes at various meetings, attended site walks to get a first-hand understanding of some of the issues, sat in on small developer meetings, and offered general help around the office.