Current and Past Recipients

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 Bowdoin 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 Bowdoin 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.”

During the summer, Nasra Abdirahman worked with Merrymeeting Gleaners at Midcoast Hunger Prevention Center. Nasra focused on harvesting, packing, and delivering fresh produce from local farms to food pantries and organizations serving vulnerable populations, including low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Nasra also helped launch the Seed Starter Program, an initiative supporting BIPOC farmers in Maine by providing them with opportunities to grow and distribute nutritious food. Additionally, Nasra assisted in establishing a sharing table at the welcome center on the landing to support new Mainers. Collaborating with volunteers, Nasra worked in the community kitchen to process and store food for future distribution.

“This summer has been incredibly fulfilling. Working directly with local farmers and vulnerable communities has deepened my understanding of the importance of access to fresh, nutritious food. Helping launch the Seed Starter Program and supporting BIPOC farmers has been a rewarding experience, knowing we're making a difference. Establishing the sharing table for new Mainers was especially impactful, as it helped provide them with quality produce and a warm welcome to our community.”

Yasmine Biyashev, ’26

Over the summer, Yasmine worked with Hope Act’s clients through a wide range of critical cases. During the Asylum-Seeker Assistance Program, she completed client applications for the Department of Health and Human Services, changes of address with immigration courts and US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and translated government communication into Spanish, Portuguese, and French. She supported clients through their work permit and asylum applications, listened to their stories, and learned about Maine’s nonprofit immigrant support landscape. During a field trip to Augusta, she learned from both the state legislature and fellow immigration nonprofit, the Capital Area New Mainers Project.

“My time at Hope Acts was deeply meaningful: I learned a lot about the asylum-seeker community, federal immigration processes, and the intricacies of the nonprofit landscape. Listening to the stories of my fellow coworkers, volunteers, and clients greatly expanded my worldview on a personal and professional level. It felt truly wonderful to help the staff and new Mainers of Hope Acts, and it feels even better to carry a deeper understanding of immigration with me.”

Caitlin Cowan, ’26

Over the summer Caitlin worked on the You Don't Need a Home to Vote Campaign—registering voters, spreading voter information, creating voter guides, and planning out ways to engage more people to vote in the upcoming elections. She also worked on reading through different guidelines in legislation to help determine the impacts on the clients of Preble Street, as well as then write memos and testimonials to city council to explain such impacts. In addition, she spread information about SNAP benefits and engaged in outreach with the Portland Community throughout the summer.

“I wanted to learn more about my Maine community this summer, and I did just that. Working at Preble Street on the advocacy team was an invaluable experience. Not only was I able to make an impact on the advocacy side of the team—working on legislation, research of benefits, voter guides—but I also witnessed firsthand the strength of individuals facing challenging circumstances. My time engaging in outreach was by far one of the most valuable experiences I have had, and I was able to meet so many kind, strong, and resilient people.”

Mason Daugherty, ’25

Mason worked as a Systems Integration Engineer at Teens to Trails 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.

“I am extremely grateful for my time at Teens to Trails. Having the chance to work closely with and learning from each of departments allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and needs that small non-profits face. All together, my experience has affirmed my belief that the goal of technology has to be defined by the effort to create human capabilities.”

Gary Hernandez, ’27

Gary spent this summer working with the Portland Housing Authority 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.

“I really enjoyed working with the teens in the CHEETA program and the other students outside of CHEETA. They were all amazing students with a powerful drive to improve their communities and help out; it was inspiring seeing them work. Beyond that I was able to better understand the Portland community and get a sense for the issues they face, especially in housing.”

Yusur Jasim ’25

Yusur Jasim '25 spent their summer interning with The Telling Room, 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.

“This summer has been very meaningful for me because I believe that the work that I did will continue to help schools in my community. Its been amazing to connect with Portland youth through The Telling Room and I will miss being in such a nurturing environment.”

 Benjamin Johnson, ’26

A summer fellowship with Greater Portland Family Promise 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.

“I am quite proud of the work I did this summer, and firmly believe that I made a positive impact on the lives of the families I met and helped. I improved English literacy and understanding, I helped families move new furniture and belongings to turn their newly-rented apartments into long term homes, and I made valuable personal connections in the process.”

Georgia Katkov, ’26

This summer Georgia worked with Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program 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.

“My work at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program introduced me to a group of some of the most dedicated and hardworking people. This opportunity has allowed me to impact the greater Brunswick community, fully implement myself into a Food Pantry system, all while gaining a greater understanding of food insecurity.”

Sophia Poeschla, ’26

Sophia spent her summer interning at Tedford Housing, 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.

“My work at Tedford expanded my horizons. I learned about housing insecurity and homelessness in midcoast Maine, and how the Tedford community responds to this need. My understanding of and connection to Brunswick and the wider Maine community deepened. I experienced the power of collaboration, communication, flexibility, and working together. I am very grateful to have played a part!”

Ruby Pollack, ’25 

ArtVan 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.

“Building relationships with children from all walks of life with range of socio-economic diversity through thoughtful conversation and hands-on work, art therapy allowed me to grow into a more compassionate provider”

Carolyne Sauda, ’27

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 Bowdoin.

“This summer has transformed how I experience my community. I’ve been a lifelong Maine resident, yet before my internship, I hadn’t interacted with many immigrant populations in our state. Now, I have gotten to know my neighbors, and we have exchanged many moments of laughter, frustration, and culture that I believe enriches all of our lives. I’m grateful for how much this opportunity expanded my understanding of community, and I’d like to continue learning about immigration, languages, and culture.”

Charlotte Sweet, ’25

This summer, Charlotte split her time working with Housing Resources for Youth and the Brunswick Area Teen Center. 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 exposed me to the incredible community in Brunswick. I was able to understand how my research and efforts early in the summer could directly impact the youth HRY served. Additionally, I was able to make connections with youth in the teen center on a weekly basis and learn about the importance of stable sources of support. I am thankful for meeting part of the powerful network of people who are devoted to making connections like these happen.”

Daniela Zarraga, ’26

This summer, Daniela Zarraga worked with the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project 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.

“I am immensely grateful for this opportunity that has allowed me to continue being involved within immigrant justice advocacy work. This summer provided me with insight on the immigrant community in Maine and the difficulty that is navigating the immigration system. It has been rewarding working with clients and being able to make an impact. Thank you to the McKeen Center, my supervisor–Nadine Twagirayezu, and the wonderful staff at ILAP that I have had the privilege to work alongside with!”

Fiona Bor ‘25  

Fiona spent her summer working at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. 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.  

"I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work at MCHPP this summer. I learned so much about food security in Brunswick and the inner workings of a local non-profit. A huge thank you to the wonderful staff and volunteers at MCHPP for the guidance, wisdom, and kindness!"

Alex Kelly ‘25 

Alex spent this summer working with the Portland Housing Authority 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. 

"I loved my time at PHA because it felt like I grew a stronger bond to Maine by developing relationships outside of Brunswick. I barely knew Portland beforehand, but now I see how many diverse and incredible perspectives exist here. The teens I worked with were amazing, and I know that they all will do great things in their futures." 

Daniel Kotorri ‘25 

Daniel worked with ProsperityME, a non-profit organization serving the asylum seeking and immigrant community in Portland. The work primarily consisted of data gathering, editing, and visualizing for the 15-year report. It required research in existing Excel files and meetings with people within the organization in order to gather the appropriate data. Also, conducting interviews with Scholarship recipients was crucial because their testimonies were used in our 15-year report. This offered an emotional and meaningful purpose in the report rather than showing our achievements simply by using numbers. Part of the work was also to participate in meetings with the Marketing and Development committee where people were brainstorming ideas and strategies on how to attract people in our annual event in September. Reaching out to donors with our campaign information was part of the summer experience as well. 

"Through my work, I helped in the build of our 15-year report which will be used to advertise our programs and achievements to potential donors and organizations. Primary goal is to attract as many donations as possible in the future so that we can improve our programs and help many more people in our community."

Carina Lim-Huang ‘25 

Carina Lim-Huang spent her summer as an intern at the ACLU of Maine, 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. 

"My summer experience at the ACLU of Maine was transformative. It not only expanded my grasp of impact litigation but also unveiled the multifaceted avenues available to drive change. Realizing that there are numerous paths to assist my community was empowering. I'm profoundly grateful to my supervisor, whose unwavering support and guidance made this enlightenment possible. Their mentorship has been instrumental in shaping my vision for the future."

Claire Nguyen ‘25 

This summer, Claire Nguyen had the opportunity to work with Hope Acts, 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. 

"I am extremely grateful to the McKeen Center and to all Hope House employees for their support in making this opportunity possible. I have greatly enjoyed working face-to-face with asylum-seekers, and I have learned so much in the process. I am excited to continue my efforts assisting New Mainers through volunteer work during the school year, and my experience this summer has only affirmed my desire to pursue a career in the non-profit sector in the future."

Fay O’Donnell ‘24 

Fay worked with ArtVan this summer. Established in 2004, ArtVan 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. 

"This summer has meant more to me than I could have ever imagined. The ArtVan team has been so supportive and the work environment is so nurturing. The youth artists I have worked with made my summer so fulfilling; working with them helped me feel like a kid again. It was truly wonderful to see the positive effect art therapy has on our community."

Brooks Peters ’23  

As Communications Intern for The Telling Room, 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. 

"The most lasting memories of my summer experience will definitely stem from the time spent working directly with The Telling Room's camps and youth programs. It was inspiring to see young people so motivated to make their voices heard. Through recording and creating content for The Telling Room, I was grateful to play a part in getting students’ creative works into the world."

Emely Reyes ‘25 

Part of Emely's summer work was independent projects given by Housing Resources for Youth 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.  

"Working for HRY and BTC has been very insightful about the new generation and the struggles that are in the Maine community. A lot of the issues that these adolescents are going through remind me of how I grew up in my Houston community and how vital it is to have these organizations. This summer experience has reevaluated my perspective of Maine and being allowed to be part of their community."

Jack Selig ‘23 

This summer, Jack worked for Oasis Free Clinics on a variety of tasks. Oasis provides free primary healthcare, dental care, and counseling services to low income, uninsured community members around Midcoast Maine. Primarily, at the request of Oasis’s lead clinician, Jack researched, spoke to experts, wrote, and eventually presented on the stability of expired solid formulations of medication which will inform future dispensing practices at Oasis. In addition, Jack helped the clinic prepare for a summer garden tour fundraiser by posting fliers in local businesses, and brainstorming and editing copy which was included in tour materials. Finally, Jack conducted research on potential business partnerships and strategies for an upcoming capital campaign. 

"Working with Oasis this summer was an incredible experience that has left me feeling more connected to Brunswick and Maine. I gained insight into the disparities that plague healthcare in the United States, honed my writing and research skills, and was privileged enough to work with an amazing staff that are dedicated to expanding healthcare access so that every community member can lead healthier and happier lives."

Jiahn Son ‘25 

Jiahn worked with this Preble Street 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.  

"Learning from lived experience advocates and organizers at the forefront of the housing and homelessness crisis in Maine and Portland has been an eye opening and incredibly educational experience. I’m deeply grateful to my supervisors and Preble Street for giving me such a wonderful opportunity this summer."

Caroline Vauclain ‘25 

The majority of the fellow’s time was spent gleaning at local farms alongside volunteers, leading produce processing volunteer shifts in MCHPP’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.  

"I am so grateful for all of the staff and volunteers at MCHPP this summer who offered their expertise and knowledge about the important work of hunger prevention and about the spirit of the Midcoast communities. I hope to bring everything I have learned along with me through my remaining time at Bowdoin, and continue to engage deeper with the Brunswick and surrounding communities!"

Bella Tucci '23

Bella spent the summer collecting content for Tedford Housing'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.

"Working with Tedford has been so educational and enriching. The staff are so knowledgeable and good at what they do, but they have also been super welcoming. I am so honored that I got to give my interviewees a little bit of spotlight, because I think the things they have to say are very eye-opening and important for us to hear."

Annika Moore '23

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.

“I loved experiencing hands-on learning at Preble Street. Seeing how the organization addresses food insecurity helped me to understand the issue on a deeper level.”

Liliana Lines '24

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.

 "My summer felt very impactful with the Merrymeeting Gleaners. I gleaned hundreds of pounds of produce, all of which was distributed to various recipient organizations in the area addressing food insecurity. In doing so, I greatly increased my own knowledge of farming and food insecurity in the area. I also created two informational videos on the Gleaners, conducted 18 interviews for feedback, and wrote an article that was published in the Portland Press Herald."

Kavi Sarna '25

Over the course of the internship at Prosperity ME, 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.

“I really enjoyed my summer fellowship at Prosperity Maine. I picked up a lot of important skills pertaining to the practical applications of data management, and it was extremely interesting to see what data management looked like at a medium sized nonprofit. In addition to this I learned a lot about non-profits and the great work that Prosperity Maine does.”

Jess Giorgio ‘23

This summer, Jess worked with Portland Community Squash, 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.

“I feel so fortunate to have been welcomed into the PCS community this summer. As someone who is passionate about youth empowerment through sport, I learned just how powerful a strong community can be in giving kids the freedom and scaffolding to grow. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to work with a group of extraordinary kids, and to be a part of an organization that is constantly seeking to grow in order to meet the needs of their students and families.”

Tess Davis ‘24

Tess split her time between Housing Resources for Youth and the Teen Center. 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.

“My summer experience at Housing Resources for Youth and the Teen Center was incredibly impactful! It was a joy to work with teenagers in the Brunswick area, and everyone that I worked with was wonderful and supportive. After this summer, I feel much more connected to the Brunswick community.”

Elijah Dumdie ‘25

The people at Hope Acts 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.

“Interning at Hope Acts has enabled me the opportunity to encounter a side of immigration and human rights questions that I was somewhat unfamiliar with. I value the work that I have been able to do with this organization and am confident that my experience will influence the direction that I take in my life. I cherish the friends that I have made here and will stay up to date with this organization, hopefully as a volunteer in the future!”

Kyle Moeller ‘24

The fellowship position at ArtVan 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.

“I absolutely loved my summer with ArtVan. The programmatic work was unbelievably gratifying and fun, while also pushing me to practice patience, boundary-setting, and care modeling of resilience and self-affirmation. In addition to designing dynamic collaborations with other local non-profits, I had the opportunity to develop my own visions and ideas regarding expressive art therapy practices and non-profit management in general. The ArtVan crew became a wonderful family this summer and I felt so constantly seen and affirmed by my co-workers.”

Uma Mohamed ‘25

The internship at Black Owned Maine 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 Bowdoin Track and Field on the Bear the Torch fundraiser.

“Throughout my internship, my communication and people skills improved greatly due to all the new people I was speaking to, which allowed me to form a deeper connection with the Black community in my hometown/state. As I increased my knowledge about numerous Black entrepreneurs and businesses, I also improved my technical skills by working on the front end and back end of the site.”

Sophia Pantzer '24

Sophia worked with Portland Housing Authority.

Fatima Kunjo '25

Fatima worked with Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program.

Ashlynn worked with Housing Resources for Youth this summer, whose mission is to ensure access to safe and stable housing for homeless and at-risk students. Ashlynn participated in monthly Board meetings as well as Fundraising and Development meetings to report on her progress on projects and contribute ideas. She also compiled research on Maine youth homelessnessand how the pandemic has effected the way youth experience homelessness. Additionally, Ashlynn worked at the Brunswick Area Teen Center to create a safe and fun environment for local teens and prepared the Brunswick Area Teen Center annual appeal.  

Hayden Keene ‘22 (Environmental Studies and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies) 

Hayden workedwith Merrymeeting Gleaners, a volunteer group that works to harvest surplus food from local farms and redistribute it to over 30 organizations that help support individuals who require help accessing food in the Brunswick area. His projects included working as a team leader on the farms themselves, helped tend the LOCAL Garden, a community education garden in Bath and coordinated the distribution of the produce to the Bath Sharing Table. In addition, Hayden also assisted in the planning process for the Pilot Farm Skills Training Program, a pilot initiative of the Merrymeeting Food Council and other community partners to help participants gain foundational job and agricultural skills while addressing the region’s farm labor shortage. 

“Thanks to the McKeen Center and the staff and volunteers of the Merrymeeting Gleaners for making this fellowship possible!” 

Maggie Millar ‘22 (Environmental Studies and Psychology) 

Maggie worked at Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP) this summer. Her main project was running one of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites in Brunswick. SFSP is a program that ensures kids have access to free, nutritious meals over the summer. She transported the meals to Curtis Memorial Library, then distributed them to kids and parents while getting the chance to talk and do activities with them. An additional project she worked on this summer a research presentation on the food distribution system, as well as possible ways to build upon and improve some of the existing programs at MCHPP. This research took into consideration the environmental impact of food waste and also what other hunger prevention organizers have done to minimize food waste.  

“I’d like to thank the staff at MCHPP for introducing me to the organization and being so welcoming! I’m so grateful to have had this experience and I learned so much about nonprofit work and hunger prevention.” 

Lynn Ngyuen ‘22 (Biochemistry and Sociology)

Lynn spent this summer working at Tedford Housing, an organization that seeks to empower people to move from homelessness to home. Lynn’s work included developing and implementing a community outreach and advocacy program, with the goal of optimizing marketing and outreach to connect with the target members of the community. She rebranded and launched the Friends of Tedford Advocacy Program to contribute to her goal of maintaining and expanding advocacy for the organization.  Additionally, she created a legislation tracker to serve as a centralized location for staff to identify and follow relevant bills on the state and federal level.  

“A huge thank you to Tedford Housing for welcoming me into their organization and for supporting my work this summer. From these 10-weeks, I have garnered so many new skills and knowledge about nonprofits and the community Tedford serves.” 

Isabella Quintana ‘23 (Biochemistry)  

Isabella worked at Oasis Free Clinic, an organization with the mission to provide no-cost medical, dental, and prescription assistance services to neighbors in need. At Oasis, Isabella worked on a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to determine the pressing health needs of the community and investigate how Oasis is meeting those needs. This report included secondary data review of county, state, and national demographics, patient and volunteer surveys, and internal Oasis data, among other components.  

“I am truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with the Oasis Free Clinics this summer. They are an organization that models service, compassion, respect, and care for all members of the community. In ten weeks, Oasis has given me incredible perspective on volunteerism, community engagement, and public health. I feel proud to be an Oasis volunteer and Brunswick resident. After this summer, I am inspired to continue to learn and grow in this compassionate community.” 

Jayna Robotham ‘23 (Government & Legal Studies) 

Jayna worked this summer at Portland Housing Authority as a mentor for their teen summer program. This summer program encourages youths to create short-term projects that will benefit their communities. In addition, Jayna also attended weekly staff meetings to ensure a cohesive curriculum for the students, planned community-wide events with the youth, managed social media accounts, and collaborated with community partners.  

“I really enjoyed my summer with Portland Housing Authority because it allowed me to learn in-depth about some of the challenges and difficulties local Portland teens face; and to understand how they seek to address them. I appreciate the incredible kindness and generosity of my colleagues and supervisor who helped me along the way and offered advice.” 

Alondra Romero ‘24 (Biology) 

This summer, Alondra worked at the Brunswick High School Garden, a community educational garden founded as a place for students to learn work ethic, the importance of sustainable farming, and communication skills. Alondra’s work with the garden included promoting it with signs and banners, creating and upkeeping a website, and managing social media. She also developed her fundraising skills through discussions with donors to the garden and writing for grants.  

“By bonding with the students and selling to customers, not only do I feel more a part of the garden, but also the greater Brunswick community. Watching food bring together a community fractured by the pandemic and many other challenges this summer has further emphasized the importance of growing and supporting fresh, local, and organic produce.” 

Syona Sindhu '23 (History and Visual Arts)

Syona worked at ArtVan, a mobile nonprofit that uses strength-based art programs to serve youth with limited arts-access directly where they live. At ArtVan, Syona’s responsibilities included providing support to the organization’s program days. She travelled around Maine in the van itself, visiting various communities to create wart with youth. By visiting the same neighborhoods each week, she was able to foster meaningful relationships with kids by earning their trust and encouraging their creative expression. Syona also provided administrative support to the organization, with website updates and streamlining the communication to ArtVan supporters. 

“I would like to thank the ArtVan staff for all their guidance, support, and expertise. I feel truly honored that I had the opportunity to spend my summer working with such an incredible organization and with such incredible people.” 

Diyaa Yaqub ‘23 (Computer Science and Anthropology)

Diyaa worked this summer at the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP). Her role at ILAP included projects like collecting documents from various clients and accessing legal system information to prepare applications for asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), citizenship, and more. She also called to identify potential Haitian or Somali TPS clients for intake. Diyaa also was responsible for updating the referral lists for other legal services in Maine.  

“I learned about the different non-profits in Maine through ILAP’s community and outreach work and by attending policy meetings with representatives from numerous organizations. I have a greater awareness of current immigration law and how current policies affect the lives of the immigrant community in Maine.” 

Emily Zhao ‘24 (Undeclared) 

This summer, Emily worked at ProsperityME, which is an organization that offers financial services, including financial literacy courses, financial counseling, counseling for higher education, small business support, and workforce development. At ProsperityME, Emily worked as a marketing and development intern, with responsibilities that included designing and compiling the 2020 Annual Report, creating various graphics and posters to use on social media and in print, assisting with annual event planning and organization, as well as helping with donor appreciation mailings.  

“I really enjoyed experiencing the detailed behind-the-scenes work of a nonprofit organization! Thank you to the ProsperityME staff for welcoming me into their organization and helping me better understand the work that goes into helping immigrants and refugees achieve financial stability, particularly during a pandemic. Thank you to my supervisor, Matteson Nadeau, for supporting me throughout the summer!”

Aura Carlson ‘22 (English and Government & Legal Studies) 

This summer, Aura worked at the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP) in Brunswick, ME. Her responsibilities included picking up meals at Mt. Ararat Middle School and delivering them to communities as part of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and she also facilitated the extension of the School Pantry Program to the Perryman site. In addition to operating the Perryman SFSP site, she implemented a weekly raffle to increase engagement in a time where social distancing made it difficult to socialize. Aura helped MCHPP with their transition to socially distant programs by logging the information of TEFAP pantry clients and packaging to-go dry goods and produce bags. She contributed to the social media and networking of the program by completing writing and editing tasks for the monthly newsletters, as well as authoring an article for the Portland Press Herald. Aura also jumped in to help with cooking in the soup kitchen and sorting incoming food donations. 

“Thank you so much to Heather Arvidson, Haley Doloff, and Devyn Santora for teaching me and bringing me into the MCHPP community this summer!” 

Dalton Dear ‘22 (Sociology and Art History) 

Dalton worked with Merrymeeting Gleaners, a volunteer group that works to harvest surplus food from local farms and redistribute it to over 30 organizations that help support individuals who require help accessing food in the Brunswick area. His projects included working as a team leader on the farms themselves, designing posters for events and sharing tables, and helping with managerial tasks. Dalton also facilitated long term, weekly gleaning partnerships with several local farms, and conducted check-ins with the Merrymeeting Gleaners community partners to gather data about their experience and handling of food waste. Additionally, he worked on updating the commercial kitchen list for the Gleaners in hopes of expanding their processing ability in the future. 

Emilia Majerisk ‘22 (Government & Legal Studies) 

Emilia worked at ProsperityME this summer, which is an organization that offers financial services, including financial literacy courses, financial counseling, counseling for higher education, small business support, and workforce development. Emilia’s project for ProsperityME was focused on immigrant-owned businesses. She conducted research by reaching out to ~250 immigrant-owned businesses across Maine to gather data about the challenges faced by immigrant-owned businesses specifically, in order to make accurate program recommendations for ProsperityME. She also used this opportunity to communicate with these business owners about COVID-related financial resources that are available with a focus on federal PPP.  

Nina McKay ‘22 (History, Religion, and Education) 

Nina worked remotely for the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) this summer. Some of her responsibilities included filling out Green Card and Citizenship applications (Form Assist Program), creating self-help guides for the Change of Address Form and Work Permit Applications, as well as updating referral lists for civil surgeons, legal services, domestic violence shelters, and English lessons. Other highlights from her role include attending ILAP’s weekly legal and staff meetings, where she learned about how changes to immigration law/policy impact on-the-ground work and the nuance of how COVID-19 impacts immigrant communities.  

“I really enjoyed working for an organization that does direct legal representation, outreach and self-help, and policy work; because of this structure, I learned both about traditional legal practice and about strategies to reach entire communities. I would like to thank ILAP staff for welcoming me into their organization and teaching me how to participate in their work (particularly my supervisor, Treva)!” 

Rosemary Ngyuen ‘21 (Asian Studies and Biochemistry) 

Rosemary worked for Mano en Mano & Maine Seacoast Mission Family Food Center this summer, both of which serve Downeast coastal communities in Maine. At Mano en Mano, she spent most of her time preparing for Blueberry Harvest School, a summer school for immigrant children aged 3-14, by making decorations and signs for the school, assisting in afternoon bus schedules, and assembling snack bags. At the Mission Food Pantry, Rosemary’s responsibilities included bagging fresh produce and sorting dry goods into boxes for deliveries.  

“I am so grateful for this opportunity to be able to work with some wonderful people. I am glad to have had this opportunity to contribute back to my home community and that I could do something for them during this time of uncertainty. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me this summer!” 
 

Maria Riaño ‘22 (Neuroscience and Visual Arts) 

Maria worked with the Portland Housing Authority on the Community Hope though Education Empowerment Training and Action (CHEETA) project this summer, which focuses on empowering marginalized youth to address challenges they and their families face, while also developing 21st century job skills. Her role included preparing weekly objectives and activities/curriculums to deliver each week to students, plan staff and student program orientation, and face-to-face mentoring and relationship-building in Riverton and Kennedy Park communities, among other tasks related to enhancing the program experience for youth. 

Jessia Bae '22 (undeclared)

This summer, Jessica worked at ArtVan, a mobile arts therapy organization dedicated to bringing the arts and art supplies to neighborhoods with little to no arts access. ArtVan focuses on under-resourced communities, specifically youth, and the goal is to allow participants to fully express themselves and their imaginations through different art mediums while also cultivating their self-confidence and identities. ArtVan prioritizes long-term relationship building and consistency, an idea that was emphasized when Jessica assisted at neighborhood and community partnership art-making programs. Jessica also worked on the operational front by performing tasks such as researching for grants and compiling data from the programs.

"It’s easy to highlight the major events, but I was most profoundly impacted by the small moments at ArtVan this summer. Each time I saw a kid’s face light up when their parent joined our art projects, or when they discovered the amazing things they could do with paint, I realized why I enjoyed the work I was doing. I was amazed everyday by the sheer imaginative capacity of both our youth and adult participants, and I will forever be grateful to ArtVan and my amazing supervisors for what has been my most unique, fun learning experience."

Mollie Eisner '21 (English and Government & Legal Studies)

At Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services, Mollie worked in the legal services department to provide support to immigrants and refugees with their applications and legal questions. Over the course of the summer, she helped clients fill out numerous applications and provided administrative support in the office, teaching staff members about new technological programs, and completing organizational tasks. Mollie researched aspects of immigration law, as well as potential policy changes, while witnessing the vibrant immigrant community in Maine and the individuals who work hard to welcome new Mainers.

"At Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services, I helped to provide immigrants and refugees with legal help. Specifically, I assisted clients with legal documents such as applications for citizenship and petitions for family members. This summer was a crash course in immigration law, and I witnessed first-hand how quickly policies change under the current administration--and how these changes impact communities in Maine. The most rewarding aspect of my work was meeting with our wonderful clients."

Elise Hocking '22 (undeclared)

Elise continued the work that Annie Rose '20 started last year developing Tedford Housing’s volunteer program. She assessed the feasibility of the volunteer roles outlined by Annie and worked to launch the most promising new roles. Elise advanced Tedford’s volunteer recognition protocol. By interviewing the volunteer coordinators of other nonprofits, she looked for effective ways to express volunteer appreciation with the goal of increasing the long-term engagement of volunteers with Tedford. In addition to her work on the volunteer program, Elise volunteered weekly at The Gathering Place and assisted with the planning of the upcoming community book discussions surrounding The Hundred Story Home by Kathy Izard.

Working with Tedford Housing has shifted my understanding of the Brunswick community. During my internship, I was introduced to the realities of food insecurity, mental health issues, substance abuse, and homelessness that are often overlooked due to the presentation of affluence on Main Street. Through ongoing interaction with individuals experiencing homeless, I gained a better understanding of the complexity of homelessness and the network of nonprofits working to end homelessness in the Brunswick community."

Mohamed Kilani '21 (Education and Hispanic Studies)

Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project advised and represented low-income clients in complex immigration cases where they would likely be unsuccessful without a costly private attorney. The complexity of immigration law means that without a legal representative to advocate on their behalf, many vulnerable immigrants would be forced to navigate the system alone and risk making errors that could lead to losing legal status or being deported. As the summer intern, Mohamed participated in the Forms Clinic program at ILAP. His task was to assist clients with citizenship and permanent residency inquiries, as well as preparing work permit applications and change of address forms for asylum-seeking families in the Portland area.

"I am forever thankful for having the opportunity to participate at ILAP and continue its mission. As a refugee and previous client at ILAP, it is especially heartwarming to be part of a staff that has committed itself to serving those who are often neglected by American society. Core values like social justice, integrity, and respect are the driving forces of such a productive and successful organization. I highly recommend this experience!"

Sarah Brigid Konefal '20 (Biology and Gender, Sexuality, and Womens Studies)

Sarah work at Oasis Free Clinics in Brunswick, Maine, primarily with Executive Director, Anita Ruff. She actively practiced Oasis’ mission to provide humanistic care, specifically helping the clinic transition with the implementation of MaineCare expansion. Sarah Brigid also assisted Ms. Ruff in building upon Oasis’ communications through social media and fundraising to ensure that both the clinic’s and the patients’ needs are met and supported.

"There is so much more to Maine past Bowdoin, and connecting with the patients at Oasis has shaped my perspective on the lack of healthcare accessibility in the Brunswick area and beyond. I’ve learned how become an advocate for public health—an important, yet neglected, area of medicine.  I’m thankful for all the invaluable experiences that Oasis has given me and will take it with me going forward as I pursue a career in healthcare."

Anne McKee '20 (Environmental Studies and History)

Anne wore many hats in her work for the Merrymeeting Gleaners. She coordinated volunteers "gleaning" each week (harvesting crops to donate to community organizations), conducted interviews with partner organizations, assisted in data collection, strengthened connections with Bath’s LOCAL garden, and expanded food outreach to new towns through the Sharing Table program. Her self-designed project was focused on diversifying the “gleaner” (volunteer harvester) profile – most gleaners are retirees from the Midcoast area – by reaching out to middle/high schools, immigrant communities, and intellectually disabled workers. Lastly, in addition to hosting site visits to farms, Anne collaborated with the Bowdoin fellows from Tedford Housing to organize a community dinner with gleaned produce, and is currently working with the Catholic Charities fellow for immigrant involvement in gleaning.

"Working with Merrymeeting Gleaners this summer opened my eyes to the widespread yet largely invisible problem of food insecurity in Maine. By connecting farms to community organizations, MMG not only increases food access, but mitigates stigma, reduces food waste, and strengthens community. Understanding food security as both environmental and social – with ramifications on both community and global scales – has given new meaning to my identity as a native Mainer and as an environmental studies major at Bowdoin. It was invigorating to work with amazing individuals and witness the power that a community effort can have. I will always remember the kindness of all whom I worked."

Clare Murphy '20 (Government & Legal Studies and Latin American Studies)

Clare’s major long term project with Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program was her participation in the Summer Food Service Program. This included her role as a site supervisor at CML, outreach for the program as a whole, creating and administering a survey on accompanying adult meals, and crafting a proposal for Mobile SFSP sites. Clare also be managed MCHPP’s social media pages.

"I’ve really enjoyed getting to see and experience different aspects of MCHPP’s programs, including talking to clients in the dining room, helping in the pantry, and supervising lunch through the Summer Food Service Program. I’ve learned a lot about the challenges food insecure populations face beyond hunger, and the difficulty of meeting these needs. I’m excited to gather client feedback about our services through administering surveys and to expand outreach efforts through social media."

Archer Thomas '21 (Government & Legal Studies and History)

At Portland Housing Authority, Archer worked in the resident services department, primarily with CHEETA, a youth empowerment program consisting of a cohort of teenagers living in public housing who undertake a variety of service projects based out of PHA’s Study Center system, and emPOWERme, a collection of programs that help residents achieve financial self-sufficiency. With CHEETA, Archer modified service project planning documents, created and implemented a curriculum of activities to help participants think more deeply about their communities, and acted as a liaison between neighborhood cohorts. With emPOWERme, Archer performed a variety of tasks associated with more efficiently delivering social services to participants.

"Working at Portland Housing Authority has given me the opportunity to learn about and directly tackle issues of poverty, housing, and education in an urban setting. Through working with PHA’s youth empowerment program, I have served the community directly. Through working with PHA’s Family Self-Sufficiency program, I have learned about what goes on behind the scene of a social services organization. My experience at PHA has affirmed my interest in public policy and my desire to further social justice."

Lily Tedford '22 (undeclared)

Lily worked with the Publications department at The Telling Room to further their mission of sharing youth voices with the world. She assisted in book distribution and worked to widen the audience for The Telling Room’s books and find new funding sources to support their publications. One of her main projects this summer was contributing to the Read While You Wait project, a Telling Room initiative to place their books in local waiting rooms and other community hubs. She also worked on organizing public author reading events to give local students the chance to read their published work in front of a live audience.

"Working with The Telling Room has given me a deeper understanding of the nonprofit sphere and allowed me to contribute to their mission of sharing youth voices with the world. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that reading youth stories has on the local community. This fellowship has shown me just how empowering creative writing and publishing can be, and I continue to be inspired every day I read the work produced by The Telling Room’s incredible writers."

Anna Fauver '20 (History) worked in Portland, ME with The Mitchell Institute.  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.
"Working at the Mitchell Institute has not only allowed me to gain a deep appreciation for the inner-workings of a non-profit, but also for the state of Maine itself. Learning about Scholars through research and personal accounts has taught me about the diversity of backgrounds in Maine and the importance of education. It is beyond inspiring to see how much of an impact the MI’s financial and personal assistance has on Scholars’ educational careers and personal development."

Eskedar Girmash '20 (Africana Studies) worked with the Oasis Free Clinics 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.
"My time at Oasis Free Clinics has been incredibly inspiring, motivating, and valuable. I’ve learned about the intersectional issues that affect our community members’ health such as poverty, lack of insurance, and illiteracy. I have engaged with the many intricacies of nonprofit management and community outreach. This has been one of the most influential experiences I’ve had as I think about a future career in public health."

Charlotte Hall '20 (Mathematics and Psychology) worked in Brunswick, ME at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, 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.
"My summer at MCHPP has completely changed my understanding of Brunswick, Bowdoin College, and my place in the community. I truly feel like a member of the Brunswick community through learning about food insecurity and the area from the wonderful staff, volunteers, and clients at MCHPP. Hunger is such a critical but often hidden issue, and the people at MCHPP work tremendously hard to address it everyday. I cannot wait to continue to volunteer there throughout the rest of my time at Bowdoin."

Joe Hilleary '20 (Mathematics) served as the George T. Davidson Maine Community Fellow at the Portland Housing Authority. He divided his time between two aspects of the Residence Services department at PHA, spending half of his time working with the CHEETA Project youth leadership and community service program in the public housing communities, and the other half supporting the emPOWERme family stabilization and financial empowerment initiative. During his experience, Joe helped write a grant, partnered with another Maine Community Fellow at ProspertyME to developed a youth-oriented financial literacy curriculum, served summer lunches in the Kennedy Park neighborhood, and created a action plan to increase resident enrollment in emPOWERme.
"Working at the PHA has been an amazing opportunity to learn not just about this organization, but about the whole network of inter-linked service providers serving the low-income population of Cumberland County. I've had the chance to see firsthand how data can be used to increase accountability and improve outcomes, while also being able to engage in direct service through volunteering in neighborhood study centers."

Elise Moreno '19 (Government & Legal Studies and Latin American Studies) At the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project , 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.
"Working in ILAP’s ProSe clinic provided me with in-depth insight into how ever-changing federal, state, and local policies directly impact migrant and immigrant communities both in Maine and around the country. It was particularly interesting to see the interaction between government, social service agencies, non-profits, and legal aid organizations all working in the realm of immigration."

Emily Olick Llano '20 (undeclared) As the Merrymeeting Food Council 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.
"Working with the Merrymeeting Gleaners has drastically increased my understanding of Maine’s food system, my familiarity with the residents of the Merrymeeting Bay area, and my exposure to the issue of food insecurity within local communities. I feel really grateful to be a part of such a feasible, accessible project that supports the local food system while addressing both food insecurity and food waste in Maine."

Annie Rose '20 (Education and Psychology) worked in Brunswick with Tedford Housing, 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.
"At Tedford, when action meets compassion, change happens. Everyday, when Tedford works with people either experiencing homelessness, at risk, or striving to maintain stability after having emerged from homelessness, progress towards ending homelessness is made. During my time with Tedford, I witnessed the shared dedication and interconnectedness of local agencies working together to improve the lives of neighbors in need of a hand-up, all-the-while instilling lasting hope for tomorrow. I’ve been given a new understanding of community, and I am excited to return to Bowdoin with a renewed sense of belonging and commitment to Brunswick."

Nick Sarni '20 (Economics) worked with ArtVan 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.
"As soon as the kids arrive, it is impossible to hold back a smile. To see them so anxious to learn, engage, and have fun while expressing themselves creatively through art is truly rewarding. My memory is filled with moments where I have connected with the personal fulfillment of these young minds. Being able to gain a deeper understanding of the management and operational responsibilities of a non-profit organization will also contribute to my future civic endeavors."

Abdul-Latif Armiyaw '18 (Biology) worked in Brunswick, ME with Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program 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.

"My time at MCHPP has been nothing short of being extraordinary. Being fully immersed in the daily operations allowed me to acknowledge the nobility and compassion of both staff members and volunteers alike, as they worked together to not only prevent hunger, but to also improve the quality of the lives of their clients in a respectful and dignified manner."

Julianna Burke '18 (Francophone Studies and Sociology) worked in the greater Brunswick area with ArtVan, 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.

"I have loved building relationships with the brilliant kids living in the communities of Lewiston, Bath, Brunswick, Biddeford, and Auburn. These youth have such an infectious, creative energy and a desire to play – it was so rewarding to help them develop their ideas, work together, and build confidence in their abilities as artists and human beings."

Steven Colin '18 (Hispanic Studies and Latin American Studies) wworked in Portland, ME with Preble Street 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.

"I’m grateful for this opportunity to affect change at a personal level through the soup kitchen and resource center at Preble Street. It has been fulfilling to use my bilingual skills and cultural understanding to help some of our non English speaking clients and helped me to realize that regardless of race, gender, age and immigration status everyone is entitled to food and housing security."

Miranda Dils '19 (English and Psychology) joined the staff at the The Mitchell Institute 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.

"Through my fellowship I've learned firsthand how a non-profit operates on a daily basis. I appreciated the balance between data and research-focused projects and my direct communication and engagement with students. Hearing from Scholars about how the Mitchell Institute has contributed to their success and witnessing the immense care, thoughtfulness, and expertise that the staff brought to their work inspired me and strengthened my passion for collaborating with others to increase educational access through both individualized support and broader initiatives."

Olivia Giles '20 worked this summer in Brunswick as part of The Gathering Place 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.

"My experience this summer has completely changed how I look at the state that I call home. I never understood the extent to which homelessness was a problem here. Learning about the roots of poverty in the Midcoast region has made the issue real and has given me a passion for bringing awareness to the rest of the community. I am so thankful for all the people I met that showed me that human worth is not measured in dollar bills."

Bridget Hoke '20 worked at Portland Housing Authority 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.

"Having been exposed to the immigrant and refugee population of Portland on my Alternative Winter Break, I knew I would love getting to know the community better this summer through my work at PHA. This internship has been incredibly enriching, from running a community needs assessment, to hanging out with the neighborhood kids at the playground or the study center. PHA has given me great independence and support to get to know their non-profit and the population they serve."

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.

"In a small non-profit organization such as CFL, I was able to work with every staff member and see the critical work that each staff member contributes to the organization. The financial empowerment that CFL provides was visible in the classes taught by the CFL staff, many who are immigrants and refugees themselves. The fellowship provided me with the opportunity to understand the diversity of the immigrant communities in Portland and the significant role they play 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 Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project. By working to address the various legal concerns that an immigrant may face, she expanded individuals' opportunities to comfortably settle and thrive in Maine.

"Working in the Pro Se Clinic at ILAP provided me with in-depth insight into the various complexities of immigration law and how the intersection of immigration status, poverty, race, and other areas of identity can impact families and individuals in Maine and throughout the country. I am grateful for the opportunity to have met and worked with so many inspiring members of immigrant communities in Maine."

Julie Scholes '20 interned at Partners for World Health 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.

"Working alongside the founder of PWH, I gained a great appreciation for the dedication and passion necessary to run a successful nonprofit. Throughout the summer, I assisted in all aspects of the nonprofit: collecting medical supplies from local hospitals, sorting and packaging the collected supplies, and shipping them to hospitals in Syria and Pakistan. It was rewarding to see how we could use discarded medical items to provide valuable supplies to hospitals in developing countries."

Through the McKeen Center and Bowdoin Career Planning, Abby Silsby '20 worked with the Volunteer Lawyers Project and the constituents of the West Bath Courthouse to explore the opportunities and issues around legal advocacy in mid coast Maine.

"Interning with the VLP, Bowdoin Career Planning, and the McKeen Center this summer has confirmed my interest in the justice system. The opportunity to not only help establish a Courthouse Assistance Project in West Bath, but to assist many low-income Mainers has been incredible. Beyond teaching me about the many intricacies of family law, my experience demonstrated just how important improving access to justice is for Maine communities."

Evan Baughman '17 (Religion) worked with Immigrant Legal Advocacy Program’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.

"During an election year in which immigration is the most important and divisive issue in America, working at an immigration legal clinic has been immensely informative and rewarding. I have had an incredibly informative opportunity to learn holistically about immigration and the specifics of immigration law in the United States while also assisting Maine’s at-risk immigrant population."

Sophie Cowen '18 (Sociology and Francophone Studies) worked with the Preble Street Maine Hunger Initiative 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.

"Working at the Preble Street Maine Hunger Initiative helped me understand Maine’s food and poverty crisis. I now more fully comprehend the importance of policy change at the state level and the role of nonprofit organizations locally. I spent much of my time at food pantries, soup kitchens, and Summer Meals sites. Through this, I saw the importance of treating those experiencing poverty as individual people, rather than members of dehumanized groups like 'the hungry,' 'the poor,' and 'the homeless.' The Preble Street staff is deeply driven and compassionate, and working with them was enriching and inspiring."

At the Center for Grieving Children, 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.

"There is no place quite like the Center—it is so full of comfort and healing. I had the opportunity to work alongside the emotionally intelligent and supportive people who make the organization so special and to explore my interests in program evaluation, data analysis, and child development. Going through volunteer training and facilitating a peer support group were empowering and eye-opening experiences that made me a better listener and a better ally to those who are grieving."

As an intern at the Mitchell Institute, 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.

"Working with the Mitchell Institute helped me confirm my interests in the education system and improving access to education for students of all backgrounds. I especially appreciated the opportunity to interact with students of various ages and gain a better understanding of Maine’s educational setting and the various resources available to its youth while promoting college aspirations."

Eva Sibinga '17 (English) focused on creating data visualizations to help the Portland Housing Authority 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.

"With two supervisors I often had at least two projects to work on at a time, in addition to getting out of the office to go to a summer lunch program every day. I was given creative freedom and exploration in completing projects independently, as well as the opportunity to meet people who are doing work that is connected or tangential to this work, so the opportunities for career exploration extended far beyond providing public housing."

John Sledge '18 (Government & Legal Studies) worked with Brunswick Housing Authority, 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.

"I thoroughly enjoyed working at BHA and learning about the different challenges regarding public housing in Brunswick. Ameliorating an affordable housing crisis while operating under budget cuts and more regulation from the federal government is no easy task, but Brunswick Housing remains resilient and steadfast in its commitment. Their belief in the power of collaboration has allowed them to provide their clients a breadth of services. It was a privilege to gain broad exposure to the operation."

As a fellow with the Maine Migrant Health Program, 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.

"This summer, I experienced both sides of non-profit organizations: I spent weeks in the office, organizing supplies, and preparing the mobile units for clinics. Then in the field I had the opportunity to see a man walking away with a medication that I had placed on the unit, connecting the work I had done in a full circle. This experience provided me with a greater appreciation for the work done by MMHP and other non-profits to provide necessary services for those in need."

At the Maine Center for Economic Policy 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.

"Working at MECEP gave me a unique experience engaging in state and local policy making. The lessons I have learned about accurate research, thoughtful analysis, and thorough review will stick with me forever, and have demonstrated that the ability for change begins at an individual level. I am so thankful to the entire MECEP staff for this opportunity to learn and participate, and could not have asked for a better summer."

Daisy Wislar '18 (Sociology and Gender, Sexuality & Women Studies) completed a number of projects this summer while working at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. 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.

"During my time at MCHPP I took on challenging projects, learned new skills, and immersed myself in Brunswick’s local community. Working at the organization allowed me to explore my interests in health and food insecurity as it relates to this area. I am incredibly grateful for the staff at MCHPP, the wisdom they’ve shared with me, and the hard work they do to fight hunger in Maine."

Mariette Aborn '17 (Economics and French) engaged closely with data on Maine students at The Mitchell Institute 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.

"Working at the Mitchell Institute allowed me to explore my interest in the state of access to higher education in Maine and increased my sense of connection to place. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with such a dedicated staff, interact with motivated Maine students, analyze statewide data, and learn a lot of Maine geography along the way.”

As an ArtVan 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 pages, and created a summary report of ArtVan’s online presence to help the organization use online resources and boost their presence on the Internet.

"My experience at ArtVan has been a wild, creative, incredible experience. I’ve loved working with the kids at programs, and learning more about the inner workings of nonprofit organizations. My day-to-day work varied and each program presented unique challenges, but the thread of creativity, collaboration, and positive energy wove it all together." 

Madeline Cole '16 (Government & Legal Studies) worked in Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project's pro se forms clinic. In this role, she assisted clients in applying for adjustment of immigration status and petitioning to bring family members to the U.S. Her main project was to ensure that all of ILAP's former clients with Temporary Protected Status from Somalia renewed this status during its two-month re-designation period in order to maintain their lawful status in the U.S.

"My experience at ILAP was fascinating because it gave me the chance to work as an intermediary between immigration authorities and immigrants themselves. This role lends a unique perspective to learning how immigration law works in the U.S., and perhaps more importantly, understanding how it affects new Mainers."

At Maine Center for Economic Policy Allisen Haggard '17 (Government & Legal Studies) split her time between compiling a report on immigrant integration in Maine and writing blog posts and op eds on economic topics ranging from the Affordable Care Act to minimum wage. Attending meetings with community stakeholders and partner organizations, she learned how economics intersects with other policy interests and the economic implications of current events as they happened in real time.

"It was valuable to see how the abstract economic concepts I’ve learned in class actually manifest themselves in the real world, and the ways in which they can be utilized to improve the lives of Mainers. I enjoyed learning how state government functions from the perspective of a nonprofit advocacy group."

Ryan Herman '17 (Biochemistry) spent this summer working with Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program and the Food Security Coalition of Mid Coast Maine. 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.

"This fellowship was inspiring, highlighting the prevalence of food insecurity and poverty among people from all walks of life. The collective determination of the leaders of MCHPP and other food assistance providers ensures me that the plight of food insecurity is being addressed more and more everyday."

At Preble Street’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 Hunger, and synthesized testimonies from previous hearings to be used by partner organizations in developing their testimonies.

"Working with the Maine Hunger Initiative has been both challenging and fulfilling. I worked directly with clients through the soup kitchen and indirectly through advocacy work and researching best practices to be implemented at the community and state level. I am incredibly grateful for my time at MHI and for all the inspiring, dedicated people that have strengthened my passion for and understanding of solutions to food insecurity."

While interning at Maine Migrant Health Program, 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.

"I have had the unique opportunity to gain first hand experience of the daily operations at a Federally Qualified Health Center while becoming better informed of America’s domestic health care needs. The staff at MMHP has inspired me with their level of sensitivity for their patients and their passion for providing excellent, culturally competent care to migrant workers in Maine."

Katie Churchill’s '16 (English and French) fellowship at the Maine Center for Economic Policy 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.

"I know Maine so much better because of my time here at MECEP. The staff is lovely, welcoming, and extraordinarily passionate and knowledgeable about their work. My project, which focused on a student loan tax credit called Opportunity Maine, helped me develop a deeper understanding of college affordability and access in Maine. It’s been an awesome experience!"

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.

"I began my summer fellowship fearing my entry into the 'business-casual' world. Now, I wish I could stay longer. The staff at CFL is incredible – each person I have met has taught me a little bit more about the importance of taking risks, making mistakes, and asking questions. Working toward bettering the lives of immigrants and refugees in Portland has been the best opportunity imaginable for me to gain substantive job and life skills."

This summer, Kelsey Freeman '16 (Government & Legal Studies) interned at The Mitchell Institute, 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.

"I have gained valuable research experience and insight into working at a nonprofit and now have a much better sense of some of the barriers to higher education for Maine's students and the promising practices that help students overcome these barriers. This experience has also provided me with resources to investigate education among Native communities in Maine, a topic I've been particularly interested in and plan to pursue further."

Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project is devoted to providing legal assistance to Maine's low-income immigrant population. This summer, Brian Golger '15 (Government & Legal Studies) assisted attorneys with legal and administrative work. Most of his time was spent with the pro se clinic, where he set up and conducted forms assistance, in which he would prepare individuals' applications for various forms of legal status, including legal permanent residency, employment authorization, petitions to bring relatives, obtaining asylum, and Obama’s DACA program (Deferred Action for early Childhood Arrivals).

"My summer at ILAP has been an incredible learning experience and has opened my eyes to the issues that low-income immigrants face here in Maine. I worked closely with ILAP's attorneys and saw first-hand the importance of nonprofits in our local communities. Working with ILAP has given me valuable insight into the complexities of immigration law and has inspired me to further explore my interests in immigrant/refugee work."

Jordan Lantz '15 (History) spent his summer working with Oasis Free Clinics 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.

"This fellowship allowed me the freedom to explore self-directed projects as well as taking part in daily clinical work. Working with Oasis exposed me to how socioeconomics and limited resources affect one's health. My plans to enter the field of public health, focusing on health behavior and the social determinants of health have been emboldened and I hope to continue working to provide affordable, accessible, and equitable care to underserved populations."

Elena Schaef '15 (English and French) spent her summer with ArtVan, 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.

"My experience was absolutely joyful, meaningful, and inspiring. My co-workers taught me about art therapy, led me in psychology, were wonderful friends, and allowed me my own opportunities to learn and teach. Being surrounded by such beautiful and healthy artistic and creative energy has been invigorating. Most of all, the children have opened my eyes and my heart wider than they have ever been before. I could’t imagine a worthier or more moving way to spend my summer."

Caitlin Shaffer '16 (Psychology) spent her summer at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program (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.

"Working at MCHPP exposed me not only to how much hunger there is in Maine, but also to the many different ways nonprofits are trying to combat this pressing issue. Some of my day-to-day responsibilities included surveying clients, interviewing directors of other food pantries, and touring a myriad of food banks and soup kitchens. The diverse range of responsibilities and projects made my internship dynamic, challenging and very fulfilling."

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.

"This fellowship has exposed me to the prevalence of hunger and food insecurity that affects so many families and individuals in communities from Portland to Westbrook, and even in Brunswick. I am inspired by the widespread, collective efforts of food pantries, food banks, and advocacy groups like Preble Street-Maine Hunger Initiative to address these issues."

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.

"My time spent with CFL this summer has provided me valuable insight into the world of non-profits. Due to CFL’s small nature, I was able to observe and be a part of the most integral workings of the organization. Working closely with CFL’s Executive Director exposed me to both the extensive responsibilities and the most rewarding qualities of running a non-profit. Portland’s immigrant community has come to Maine with unique and useful skills. CFL provides hundreds of people the financial education necessary to succeed."

This summer Courtney Chuang '15 (Sociology/Gender & Women’s Studies) split her time between Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program (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.

“My summer at the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program challenged me to think critically about how we allocate our limited federal, state, and local resources. I realized that our common need for food means that we all have a vested interest in establishing food security in the world’s wealthiest nation. My work took me into our Soup Kitchen, Food Bank, and Food Pantry and put me in contact with other pantries and hunger relief organizations in Mid Coast Maine."

In his fellowship at Maine Center for Economic Policy, 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.

"Working for the Maine Center for Economic Policy has been an eye-opening experience, providing insight to the challenges facing low-income Mainers and Americans. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work on blog posts, op-eds, and a cumulative project, "The State of Working Maine". This gave me real-world experience in data-collection, analysis, and presentation which I will use throughout my life. MECEP also showed me the profound impact economics and public policy can have on our most vulnerable neighbors and friend."

Casey Correa '14 (Visual Arts/English) worked with the ArtVan 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.

"My responsibilities at ArtVan change constantly. One morning I could be a passenger on the van, heading to Lewiston to make art with the toddlers of Somali refugees. The next I am helping a middle schooler, who lives no more than five to ten minutes away from me, paint a piece of pottery. Some days I am in front of a computer experiencing on the development side of non-profit work. The fast pace, ever-changing nature of working with ArtVan has made my experience both challenging and extremely fulfilling."

Danielle Orchant '14 (Africana Studies/Education) spent her summer working at the Mitchell Institute. 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.

"Through my fellowship at the Mitchell Institute, I have developed the skills I need to access data that reflect educational inequities within Maine and throughout the United States. I am honored to work for an organization that helps to reduce opportunity gaps by awarding scholarships and conducting research. As someone who plans to pursue a career in teaching, I feel fortunate to have an understanding of policy decisions that deeply impact how classrooms operate."

The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing legal assistance to Maine’s low-income immigrant communities. This summer, Olivia Reed '15 (Anthropology and Spanish) was able to become part of this mission by assisting in various forms of legal and administrative work. The majority of her time was spent working in ILAP’s pro se clinic where she prepared clients’ immigration forms, including legal permanent residency, green card replacement, work permit, and temporary protected status applications. She assisted attorneys in their full representation cases by conducting research and translating documents. Once a week, she covered the front desk, greeting clients, answering phones, and entering client information into ILAP’s database. She was also in charge of periodically updating ILAP’s website for its panel of pro bono asylum attorneys with country-condition information.

"Working with ILAP gave me first-hand look at what immigration looks like from the perspective of Maine's low-income immigrant communities. Over the course of the fellowship, I was able to meet countless inspiring individuals, ranging from passionate and determined lawyers to immigrants navigating a foreign and complex system. The experience also provided me with a better understanding of how non-profit organizations operate and a new avenue to explore my interest in immigrant/refugee issues. Working at ILAP was an incredibly educational and rewarding way to spend my summer."

As a research intern at the Mitchell Institute, 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.

"My time at the Mitchell Institute gave me an inside look at how a nonprofit can simultaneously serve individual students, schools, and the state of Maine itself. I gained valuable experience working with and understanding data through my research and then was able to see firsthand how the research I did affected students and educational professionals alike. It was a hugely rewarding experience, and I hope to be able to expand upon the work that I’ve done in the future."

Lane Sturtevant '15 (Anthropology and Gender & Women’s Studies/Chinese) spent this summer at Preble Street 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.

"Working at the Maine Hunger Initiative exposed me to how widespread and complex the issue of hunger is in Maine; it also showed me the incredible variety in and creativity of the methods and philosophies employed by nonprofits, individuals, and the government towards solving this issue. I was challenged to not only help implement strategies for reducing hunger but also, through that work, to study different approaches and to really reach my own understanding about this issue."

Brunswick Housing Authority provides affordable housing for low-income individuals and families in the Greater Brunswick Area. During his time at BHA, Colin Swords '15 (Mathematics/Economics) primarily focused on financial reporting, marketing, and company efficiency. He researched marketing strategies for housing developments and helped produce reports on the last fiscal year for an upcoming Board of Directors meeting. Highlights of the internship included sitting in on meetings with BHA’s clients and learning about the process by which low-income persons make the transition into homeownership in a responsible and affordable manner.

"At BHA, I was exposed to the administrative side of a nonprofit organization while still getting to interact with clients who seek affordable housing. At BHA, I wore many hats and spent each day tackling multiple projects. I most enjoyed learning about the importance of financial reporting through the lens of a housing organization that serves the common good. I feel very fortunate to have been placed at BHA for the summer, and I am confident that the experience will have prepared me for my future academic and professional endeavors."

The Maine Center for Economic Policy (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 Bowdoin fellows on their summer experiences engaging with non-profit work.

"At MECEP I was exposed to the non-profit sector's dedication to analyzing and influencing the state government’s political atmosphere. I was challenged to not only research and write about current policy issues, but to make inferences and ask further questions. The staff encouraged my writing and analysis through constructive feedback and thoughtful conversation. I know my experience this summer will positively impact my future—academically, professionally and personally."

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.

"I gained a new appreciation for the role that non-profits play in improving the lives of the underprivileged. I learned that Maine’s immigrant and refugee communities are full of individuals who are eager to acquire the skills they need to improve their own lives. Unfortunately, traditional educational programs aren’t tailored to meet the specific needs of new Mainers. CFL and its partners offer those specialized services."

Read more about Caroline's work.

Jae Bradley '13 (Economics and Government & Legal Studies/Mathematics) worked as a policy analyst at the Maine Center for Economic Policy. 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.

"As a Mainer, working for the Maine Center for Economic Policy has been, by far, the most rewarding summer of my life. Learning and writing about Maine’s economic policy has given me an inside perspective into the intricacies of Maine’s economic past and future – which has resonated at an intellectual and a personal level."

Read more about Jae's work.

This summer Sasha Davis '13 (Government & Legal Studies/Education) interned at ArtVan, 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.

"Working with ArtVan has ignited in me a new passion for a different form of education. I have always been a believer and strong supporter of the power of the arts, but my internship this summer proved to me how important it is for children be given the opportunity to express themselves artistically. Developmentally, creatively, therapeutically--through a fun, artistic program ArtVan artists grow and learn every day."

Read more about Sasha's work.

Emma Johnson '14 (Anthropology/Gender & Women’s Studies) worked for Preble Street, 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.

"Working for Preble Street could have left me feeling hopeless and depressed, as every day I dealt with people suffering from hunger and homelessness. Though these two problems are becoming more and more dismal all the time, I can now attest to the remarkable resiliency of the people affected by them, the creativity and passion of those addressing the problem, and the strong sense of hope that pervades the advocacy culture. Needless to say, it was a summer well spent."

Read more about Emma's work.

This summer Brian Kim '13 (English and Economics/Music and Teaching) worked at the Mitchell Institute. 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.

"Working at the Mitchell Institute has been an incredible opportunity for me to gain a wider perspective on the sorts of signs and indicators that mark Maine’s progress and difficulties in the field of education. By working closely with student data from each school in Maine, I was able to see how the deeply personal struggles of individual students translate into the broader statistics that help inform policymakers and educators alike in their attempts to remedy widespread issues."

Ariye Krassner '14 (Psychology) spent her summer interning at Independence Association, 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.

"My internship at the IA has reinforced my interest in clinical psychology, and has further motivated me to pursue a career in psychiatry or psychiatric nursing. I’m very grateful that the internship has not only confirmed, but strengthened, my passion for working with people with developmental disabilities, and that I have been able to spend the summer working for an organization that provides such valuable, high-impact services."

Read more about Ariye's work.

Bridgett McCoy '15 (Undeclared) worked as an organizing and outreach intern for the Environmental Health Strategy Center. 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.

"My time with the Environmental Health Strategy Center enriched my knowledge on their area of focus, chemical policy reform, and also gave me new skills and an understanding of the interests of Mainers. As an Outreach Intern, I spent my time organizing and tabling at events to inform Mainers on EHSC issues. I also researched the connection between the needs of communities of color and low socio-economic status and chemicals reform."

While working at Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project 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.

"While Maine is among the nation’s least diverse states, cities such as Portland and Lewiston have thriving immigrant communities that greatly contribute to the state as a whole. Working with ILAP not only put me in contact with these communities, but it also allowed me to appreciate just how complex our legal system is, and how challenging it can be to navigate. It has been truly inspirational working alongside individuals who are so dedicated to serving a population that is often overlooked and underappreciated."

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 Mitchell Institute. 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.

"I had a rewarding summer working at the Mitchell Institute. As an aspiring educator, I have learned a lot about the achievements and struggles of Maine students, and more importantly, about the tremendous effort that is required to prepare America’s children to lead successful lives in an ever-changing world."

Working at Preble Street 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.

"I left work every day feeling fulfilled and satisfied with my day's work, knowing that I had helped in Preble Streets' mission of empowering those struggling with homelessness and hunger. Throughout my time there, I became very close with the Preble Street community including both co-workers and clients. Each person I encountered helped me learn about the daily problems faced by those dealing with homelessness."

This summer Lindsey Horowitz '12 (English and French) worked with Five Rivers Arts Alliance, 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.

"Working with FRAA allowed me to connect with Maine’s artistic community in ways that I could never have imagined, from visiting individual artists in their studios to communicating with artists beyond the Midcoast area to learn about their respective ArtWalks. I was truly inspired both by the mission of FRAA and by those committed to supporting the organization. These two together enable our vibrant, cultural community to thrive."

At Independence Association, 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.

"My work at IA has taught me the importance of looking at people as individuals.  Not everyone who has a particular disability is going to respond the same way to services provided.  Everyone has their own unique set of needs and goals, and should be supported as individuals."

Emma James '13 (Anthropology/Education Studies) contributed to the Brunswick Housing Authority primarily with her design and marketing skills. She spent a majority of the summer creating Life as a Homeowner, a guide explaining how to budget, manage accounts, avoid foreclosure and plan for home maintenance. Emma played a major role in designing and then distributing materials to advertise housing in Harpswell and participated in the daily running of the office – designing templates, updating documents, and working on spreadsheets.

"The 'Bowdoin Bubble' can deceivingly display Brunswick as a predominantly affluent community. This summer I discovered that isn’t quite the case. My time spent at the BHA introduced me to the issues surrounding low-income housing and the options available to qualified persons. I worked with a group of wonderful people - all passionate about making sure that every citizen of Brunswick has a place to call home."

Amar Patel '12 (Economics and Government & Legal Studies) worked with the Maine Center for Economic Policy. 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.

"My fellowship at the MECEP was a great way of taking the concepts and skills I learned in the classroom and applying them to real world issues. Working with data for Maine and Cumberland County has given me an incredible opportunity to learn about the economic issues that face Maine families and a great appreciation for co-workers who strive to advance favorable policies."

Jordan Payne '12 (Government & Legal Studies and Sociology) worked with the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project, 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".

"Working at VLP has opened my eyes to the realm of legal problems that plague those without the socio-economic or educational means to deal with them alone. This fellowship has given me the unique opportunity to help actively combat this injustice every day. It is extremely rewarding to provide the resources and guidance to low-income Mainers facing civil legal issues who often have nowhere else to turn for support."

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.

"My internship has provided me an invaluable opportunity to understand the barriers facing our newest Americans and that financial literacy education is a true form of empowerment. Working with the incredible members of the CFL team has given me the inside perspective on how to start a nonprofit from the ground up. The mentors and leaders I’ve worked with this summer will continue to influence me as I start my own work after graduation."

Bowdoin Forest Foundation Fellows

Laurel Curtis '14 (undeclared) worked this summer with the Brunswick Farmers' Market 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.

"Through my work with the Brunswick Farmers' Market, I have discovered connections between the seemingly unrelated worlds of local, sustainable agriculture and hunger prevention. These connections have given me a new way of looking at issues of food equity and poverty abatement, in particular, searching for solutions that support local economies by providing paths out of poverty."

This summer through the Forest Foundation fellowship Kristin Rogers '12 (Psychology) worked with the City of Portland Refugee Services. 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.

"The Forest Foundation fellowship allowed me to reflect on my past experiences; academic, occupational, and personal, and synthesize the interests to create my own personalized fellowship that integrated many of my interests."

Cornerstones of Science is dedicated to providing exciting opportunities for kids, teens, and adults to become involved in science. Julie Bender '13 (undecided) spent much of the summer creating costumes, experiments, and fun activities used to teach children about bones, blood, the heart, and body science fun. The curriculum Julie created will be traveling to public libraries across Maine and the nation. Julie was also involved in a myriad of other projects, including beginning a science blog, working closely with website design, and photographing Cornerstone’s involvement with the communities of Midcoast Maine.

"For many young kids, science has never been more than a class they take in school. I spent the summer encouraging kids to question and investigate the science all around us…the ocean, the wind, the tracks in the mud, the fireworks in the sky, the bones in our body. It’s quite amazing how much one can learn by teaching! By spending my summer with Cornerstones of Science, I have gained not only experience, but also incredibly valuable knowledge."

Nora Krulwich '11 (Psychology & Government and Legal Studies) worked with Tedford Housing, 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.

"Working at Tedford was a fantastic introduction to issues surrounding affordable housing. I met and learned from the individuals fighting homelessness on so many fronts as well as the homeless men and women staying at our shelters. In other words, it introduced me to a whole new—and wonderful—segment of Brunswick."

Rachel McDonald '12 (Visual Arts and Art History) worked with Five Rivers Arts Alliance, 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.

"As an art student and art-lover myself, it has been a truly valuable experience to work with an organization that is so dedicated to making the local arts scene not only visible, but a fundamental asset of the community. It is easy for people to dismiss "the arts" as unimportant, but Five Rivers knows that art brings character and vitality to a place, and uses that principle to help strengthen the region."

Shanthi Purushotham '12 (Neuroscience) worked with the Oasis Health Network 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.

"Through my internship at the Oasis Health Network, I have had the incredible opportunity to learn about the healthcare issues faced by low-income people in our local community. Their daily struggles to acquire quality healthcare has enlightened me to the nation’s healthcare policies’ weaknesses and the need to better serve the uninsured. My internship has strengthened my connection with the community and has taught me that with both conviction and compassion, one can truly make a meaningful impact in others’ lives."

Kristin Rogers '12 (Psychology) spent the summer working with Preble Street, 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.

"My fellowship with Preble Street has not only allowed me to work with an amazingly passionate and enthusiastic group of people, but has also given me an invaluable insight into the complex problems that face people in poverty, and the obstacles these individuals often have to overcome in order to gain access to what most people consider the most basic goods and services."

Sophie Springer '11 (History) worked with the Mitchell Institute, 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.

"Through my fellowship at the Mitchell Institute, I have gained a greater understanding of Maine students’ barriers to college attendance. I have learned how to both undertake this research as well as present it in an accessible format in order to inform public policy. As an aspiring teacher, I am excited to be able to use this research in order to better serve my future students."

Colleen Sweeney '11 (Government and Legal Studies & Environmental Studies) worked for the Maine Volunteer Lawyer’s Project 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.

"Many of our clients at VLP perceive the legal system as an extremely daunting obstacle, which has revealed to me how imperative legal services are to those living in poverty. I have gained an immense respect for my coworkers that have dedicated their careers to helping those suffering from poverty. The VLP provides a wonderful service, and my experience with the organization has been invaluable."

Alisha Turak '12 (Government and Legal Studies & Economics) worked with the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP), 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.”

"Working at MECEP has been an engaging and rewarding experience. By working directly with data on Maine’s economy, the state’s spending patterns, and working families in poverty, I’ve come to understand both Maine and economic policy in new ways. Applying the economic principles I’ve learned in class to the real world and real issues has invaluably furthered my education, and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned this summer to my coursework for the next two years."

Rachel Turkel '11 (Philosophy/Math) worked at Oasis Health Network, 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.

"I have learned more working at Oasis this summer than I ever thought possible. From interacting with patients, to meeting with town offices, to trying to navigate our complex healthcare system, I have gained a much wider perspective on the struggles of uninsured and low-income Mainers. It is heartbreaking to hear from people who are forced to choose between buying food for their family and purchasing their prescription medicines. Fortunately, Oasis is here to help our community, and I am so proud to be a part of that work."

J.B. Chun '11 (Economics & History) worked with the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) 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 Bowdoin College summer fellows.

"I never imagined the amount of influence politics, numbers, and seemingly minute policy decisions have on people. I’m humbled every day by the genuine passion and talent of those who are involved in this work. They are integral in actively creating more just, equitable, and prosperous lives for all Mainers. It is why my role in advancing MECEP’s goals have been so very eye-opening and tremendously rewarding."

Martha Clarke '11 (Government and Legal Studies) helped the Maine Volunteer Lawyer’s Project (VLP) 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.

"The justice system can be confusing even for educated and well-off individuals. Poverty makes a complicated system even more difficult to navigate. I now have a greater understanding and appreciation for organizations like VLP that work to lessen the inordinate impact that poverty has on access to the justice system."

Maina Handmaker '11 (Environmental Studies & Visual Arts) spent the summer working with Bowdoin Professor Wiebke Theodore and The Maine Building Materials Exchange 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.

"I’ve been taught that design has the power to solve problems – that creation of spaces can bring together community. I’ve spent this summer doing research and building community connections. In talking with Brunswick’s farmers and eaters, developers, planners, teachers, business managers, and organizers I have learned how indispensable community collaboration is to any design decision, or any grassroots change."

Annie Kass '11 (Psychology) spent the summer working with the Oasis Health Network 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.

"There is nothing like having the opportunity to give back to the community that has raised you. I met incredible people and heard remarkable stories while helping a part of the Brunswick community that is sometimes overlooked by those of us in the Bowdoin Bubble. I learned something new every day about the needs of the nation’s healthcare programs, the strengths and challenges of a nonprofit, and the different ways there are to serve the members of our community."

Katherine Stewart '12 (undecided) spent the summer working at Preble Street learning about issues of homelessness and hunger in Maine. By assisting with the Breakfast program, she gained valuable insight into the daily lives and struggles of the homeless in Portland. Katy also reorganized the organization’s Clothing Closet, creating a more effective system for getting clothes to those who need them.

"Working at Preble Street, I’ve come to more fully understand and appreciate the everyday trials of homeless men and women. These people face extraordinary obstacles, whether due to socioeconomic status, mental health, or a language barrier, yet they maintain their dignity and are wonderful to know."

Morgan Taggart-Hampton '11 (Africana Studies & Sociology) worked with Bowdoin Professor Craig McEwen and the Brunswick Housing Authority (BHA) to advance the literature surrounding low-income housing. She helped to finish interviews with residents in Perryman Village, a 50-unit public housing complex in Cook’s Corner, Maine. After completing the interviews, Morgan finished a report on the stigma, social support networks, and future housing preferences of the residents, stemming a quantitative analysis of the data collected from the interviews to share with BHA and the members of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Through my fellowship, I had the opportunity to participate and learn about the practical applications of the information that I have been learning in my sociology classes surrounding the issues facing those in poverty. It helped me focus on figuring out what I may want to do after graduating from Bowdoin concerning issues of low-income housing, health care, and public policy."

Elaine Tsai '10 (Economics) interned at The Mitchell Institute. 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.

"At the Mitchell Institute, I was able to experience first-hand the process of policy research with the intention of providing better and more informed advice to policymakers and other programs. This fellowship has allowed me to apply the academic knowledge and research skills learned in the classroom to projects and initiatives that are directly working towards addressing the issues of higher education attainment."

Samantha Waxman '10 (Classics & English) interned with Five Rivers Arts Alliance (FRAA) 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.

"Working with Five Rivers has given me a snapshot of the challenges and triumphs of running a small nonprofit with ambitious ideas and limited resources. I have gotten to know the truly amazing Midcoast artist community and gained an understanding of the importance of arts advocacy, especially in these troubled economic times."

Interning at Independence Association, 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.

"Through my work at Independence Association I gained a lot of knowledge about people with disabilities and developed a desire to assist these individuals in leading a more inclusive life while helping others see their capabilities and all they have to offer the community. My internship at IA allowed me to see the Brunswick community from a different angle and to gain a deeper understanding of its diversity."

Seth Kelley '10 (Visual Arts) spent the summer with the Five Rivers Arts Alliance 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.

"Prior to working with the Five Rivers Arts Alliance, my connection to Maine was solely as a Bowdoin student. Now, having had the opportunity to explore the communities of the Midcoast Area and meet many of the artists who contribute to its cultural vibrancy, I feel like I belong here in a broader sense. This fellowship has not just given me insight into Maine's community, it's made me a part of it."

While at the Town of Brunswick Office of Planning and Development, Niko Kubota '10 (Sociology) attended Planning Board meetings, Conservation Committee site walks, and meetings on the redevelopment plan for the Brunswick Naval Air Station. He worked on a number of projects including creating computer models of buildings in downtown Brunswick visible on Google Earth; photo documenting the demolition of Beta Theta Phi Fraternity House; and research on gateway zoning in other towns to assist the Planning Board in considering a change to the Zoning Ordinance.

"Working for the Town of Brunswick was a great opportunity to experience first hand examples of the tensions between development, conservation, and community. By attending town meetings, I was able to hear the presentations of developers and the concerns of citizens and see how they were addressed by the Planning Board. This fellowship allowed me to spend my summer doing research that reinforced my academic interests while learning about the town I live in."

Jamie Nadeau '10 (Government & Legal Studies) worked with the Volunteer Lawyers Project (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.

"Aside from teaching me about the intricacies of civil law, my experience has shown me just how severely poverty in Maine impacts access to justice. However, it has also taught me that there is reason to be optimistic, for there are extensive efforts being made to combat this injustice."

Sarah Richards '10 (Economics) worked with the Maine Center for Economic Policy (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.

"Through my fellowship, I’ve had an opportunity to apply tools learned from my economics courses to analyze and help address some of Maine’s economic advancement issues. The experience has made me want to stay involved in the topics of health care coverage and fair taxation systems."

Allison Ruane '09 (Economics) spent her summer at the Mitchell Institute 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.

"This fellowship instilled in me a sense of how important non-profits like the Mitchell Institute are to our society. The enthusiasm and dedication of my coworkers were contagious and my experience was invaluable. I know now that I would love to continue working towards increased college aspirations in Maine after Bowdoin."

Jason Spector '09 (Government & Legal Studies) spent the summer working with Volunteers of America Northern New England, 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.

"The most powerful moment of my summer came on the final day of Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. when the state troopers and police officers, who had spent the week volunteering as group leaders, marched out in uniform. Watching the campers’ faces as they registered that their counselor was a person in uniform, I realized that in one week we had managed to change many childrens’ perception of law enforcement officials."

While working at Tedford Housing, 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.

"When I return to Bowdoin this fall as a student, I will continue my summer research on homelessness and affordable housing through a class project with Tedford Housing.  Through data collection, we hope to get a better picture of the reasons behind homelessness in MidCoast Maine, and then come up with strategies to eliminate homelessness."

Sara Griffin '09 (Art History & Visual Arts/ Latin American Studies) spent the summer with the Five River Arts Alliance, 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.

"This was an invaluable experience, and it has made me a much more aware and active citizen of Maine.  My experience at Five Rivers changed the way I think of myself as a student and, in some ways, as a person."

Suzanne Heller '09 (Psychology/Teaching) interned with Independence Association, 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.

"It is a constant challenge to provide meaningful services that best support an individual's unique needs while still allowing room for new experiences.  I will surely use all that I learned at Independence Association as I pursue my studies and a possible career in the field of special education."

Jeana Petillo '09 (Psychology) worked with Volunteer of America Northern New England, 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.

"The most powerful program I participated in this summer was Homeless Youth Outreach.  After spending time with some of the kids and looking for others in need of assistance, I have a new perspective on issues that nearby youth are facing."

The principal mission of the Mitchell Institute is to increase the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine will aspire to pursue and achieve a college education.  Aisha Woodward '08 (Government & Legal Studies/English) began her work with the Mitchell Institute last fall interviewing students and school officials for the Barriers II study.  Her fellowship this summer included updating the report with more recent data; organizing school specific data for participating school; and attending the pre-release briefing for the State Department of Education, local press agencies and college presidents.  Aisha has continued her work in the academic year by developing programs through which Bowdoin students may implement Barriers II recommendations in local high schools.

"An important part of this fellowship experience was recognizing that societal problems, specifically poverty, take away a person's right to make choices that we believe are 'necessary' - like pursuing a postsecondary education, finding affordable housing, or having access to healthcare.  I gained awareness of the links between all of the organizations the fellows worked for, and I have a broader understanding of the complex challenges our society faces."

Matt Yantakosol '10 (Government & Legal Studies) spent his summer working with the Town of Brunswick Planning and Development Office. 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

"Learning about the MidCoast Collaborations for Access to Transportation provided me with a greater understanding of the issues of public transportation at the local level.  This fellowship helped me to become more familiar with the overall Brunswick community - realizing resources I never knew existed.  Our site visits to conservation properties in particular gave me a greater appreciation for natural resources and the necessity of protecting them."

As part of her fellowship with Independence Association , 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.

"This fellowship has given me the chance to see the strengths of the Brunswick community. There are countless examples of organizations and individual community members working together for common goals that I never would have noticed without my time at Independence Association."

Michel Bamani spent his fellowship working as an intern with Volunteers of America, 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.

"My fellowship taught me the importance of advocacy and the extent of issues that seriously need to be addressed within our society. My experience at Volunteers of America has served as an eye-opener and as a motivator in stimulating my desire to raise awareness and create changes regarding societal issues surrounding youth and elderly abuse as well as people with mental illnesses."

Anna Karass spent her summer at Tedford Shelter, 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.

"My experience working with Tedford Shelter as a Community Action Fellow was invaluable. At Tedford I felt like my projects were meaningful and actually made a difference. I wasn't just another intern who did the photocopying and filed papers."

Sara Schlotterbeck worked at the Oasis Health Center 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.

"I will take the lessons that I learned from co-workers and patients at Oasis with me for the rest of my life. I feel like I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges and vital importance of providing quality health care to all."

Debbie Theodore spent the summer working with Five Rivers Arts Alliance, 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 Bowdoin College by building relationships with the Art and Music Departments.

"Because of this fellowship, I have been able to feel like a member of Brunswick as well as a student at Bowdoin. My experience at Five Rivers Arts Alliance has shown me the energy and creativity within the Brunswick community and has revealed the benefits of building closer ties between Brunswick and Bowdoin."

Alex Weaver worked in the Town of Brunswick Planning and Development Office. 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 Bowdoin College’s New Soccer Field project; designing two projects for Bowdoin’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.

"To me the most important thing about this fellowship experience was gaining a sense of personal professionalism by being provided the freedom to explore the major issues in Brunswick while at the same time having people around me who could guide me when needed."