With March being Women’s History Month it only made sense that we spent this month’s Community Corner highlighting a few of the many non-profits and mutual fund opportunities focused on helping, supporting, inspiring, and growing the women of today and the future.
That being said, here is our March Community Corner. Ways to give back this month locally including fundraisers, donations, and volunteer work.
Let’s hear it for the women of Portland!
We’re always looking for a lead! If you have a fundraiser, volunteer sign-up, or cause you’d like us to know about, email us at info@portlandoldport.com
Trigger warning: Domestic abuse and violence.
Organizations such as Through These Doors work tirelessly to bring domestic violence to an end in Cumberland County, an unfortunate reality that affects 1 in 3 women nationally (experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner). A resource center and community that provides a full array of services including education, prevention, advocacy, legal help, emergency shelter, and training, Through These Doors also engages in efforts to hold perpetrators of abuse accountable for their actions.
With a 24-hour hotline, support groups, residential services, community education and more, Through These Doors has been a leader in supporting those in need since inception in 1977.
You can learn more about Through These Doors, including their mission and programs online.
Volunteer Opportunities
Through These Doors offers several unique ways to volunteer:
Volunteers to engage with survivors directly on the 24-hour helpline or in person. This is their greatest need and includes providing emotional support, safety planning, information about partner abuse, and resources. Training is provided.
To become a direct service volunteer, you must complete the 44-hour Core Comprehensive Advocacy, Intervention, Response, and Ethics Training (CAIRET).
Sign up to volunteer online here. They usually offer their direct service volunteer training three times annually.
Unable to volunteer? Make a donation to Through These Doors. You can also make a donation by purchasing items off the Shelter Wishlist.
A Company of Girls is an award-winning, arts-based resiliency and empowerment non-profit program with a primary goal to cultivate self-confidence, build resiliency, and create a community of respect and acceptance among youth who identify as girls in Portland. A Company of Girls sets the scene for a healthy, vibrant future for Portland’s children.
Encouraging and empowering young women and girls through the arts, 99% A Company of Girls girls feel that being apart of the program has done the following:
- Positively influenced the choices they make.
- Helped them develop leadership skills and find their voice.
- Leave feeling better than when they arrived.
Your donation to ACOGs will go to sustaining programs such as their Core Afterschool Program, which includes snack-time to bond and connect, team-building, check-ins, theatre games, cooking activities and more. Additionally, your donation will help continue the growth of the Outreach Programs, which is designed to bring free, arts-based programming into underserved neighborhoods and communities.
Each program is geared to help girls discover, explore, and express their unique and valuable voice.
You can make a donation online.
Special Events + Fundraisers
Health Resonates, a women-owned and operated holistic wellness provider offering spa, wellness coaching, energy healing, massage therapy and more right here in Portland is giving back to the community this March by donating $10 to Maine Needs with EVERY service, including facials, massages, wellness offerings and body treatments, now until March 15th, 2023.
Maine Needs is a non-profit community organization that helps individuals and families in Maine meet their basic material needs by providing donated clothing, hygiene products, household items, basic necessities and more. It is additionally women-owned and operated with the Board of Directors being all women.
Ladies, this month we can can enjoy our well-deserved spa day while giving back. Book services online.
When: Now until March 15th, 2023
Where: Health Resonates, 773 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102
Flatbread Co. in Portland has partnered with the Junior League of Portland(JLP) for a Community Bake to support the impactful work they do for the community. A portion of profits from dine-in, delivery, and takeout will be donated to the JLP. In addition, JLP members will also be present to answer any questions and share information about the work they do.
Junior League of Portland is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Reaching out to women of all races, religions, and nationality who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism, JLP has a history of making Portland better by developing potential, promoting voluntarism, and community partnerships.
Can’t make the event or don’t like pizza (we will let that pass as long as you make a donation), you can donate to JLP’s Annual Fund and/or Endowment Fund.
When: March 7th, 2023 from 5 PM – 9 PM.
Where: Flatbread Company, 72 Commercial St #5, Portland, ME 04101
Fish & Bone, a women-owned business, will be doing their part in giving back this month by hosting an adoption event to benefit Fetching Hope Rescue, a foster-based rescue in Maine dedicated to helping save southern dogs by finding them loving homes in New England. An early “St. PAWtrick’s Day” themed event, Fish & Bone will have cute adoptable puppies, raffles and rescue merchandise.
Can’t make the event or don’t have room in your home for a new puppy? You can donate to Fetching Hope Rescue online.
When: March 11th, 2023 from 12-3pm.
Where: 5 India Street, Portland, ME 04101
