GOOD HELPER FOUNDATION

Results: The Good Helper Foundation possesses a strong capacity to allocate grant funding effectively, drawing on years of experience in addressing the needs of Maine's vulnerable populations. Between our board of directors and local volunteers, we are fully equipped to provide the assistance that we’ve outlined in the above programs. As proof, we point to our track record over the past few years, including… Food & Clothing Drives: We have held a few different food and clothing drives over the years, where we’ve collected and distributed winter clothes and essential food items to families in need. Thriving Food Distribution Program: We have held a food distribution program in the past, in partnership with Good Shepherd Food Bank, to deliver healthy groceries to pre-selected group of individuals and families in the community. In the end, we served 22 families, ranging in size from one to five children. Housing Assistance Expertise: Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to find and vet affordable housing for those in our community. This has included negotiating rents with landlords, opening utility accounts for those who needed them, and distributing donated house necessities, such as utensils, furniture, and mattresses. If chosen for this grant, The Good Helper Foundation plans to continue its service to the community. In that vein, Good Helper plans touse the funds effectively according to the outlined budget to provide food, transportation, and housing assistance to those in our community who need it the most.

Target demographics: To enable the many immigrant parents and school aged children who are currently housed in hotels and shelters in Cumberland county Maine, to overcome the enormous challenge of finding suitable accommodation. To be a third party between the municipality and the owners, we will negotiate the properties, co-sign the lease and post a deposit on behalf of the immigrants to enable them to obtain a suitable house accordingly

Direct beneficiaries per year: Last year we have managed to negotiate 3 apartments and have placed three families there with the support of General Assistance of Portland, Auburn and Lewiston. That is a total of 13 people including 5 minors of school age.

Geographic areas served: the mission in Maine

Programs: will meet the needs of the immigrants and homeless population via the provision of: Initial products and services: Basic Sheltering Provision of basic necessities A centralized community Assistance to acquire an adequate rental home. Provide awareness of the erea Connect the Kids to school Connect them with agencies providing : Transporttation Healthcare Immigration General Assistance Housing application English class