7 truly local charities making a difference in Lewiston — for students who want to help, even on a budget.

This first issue of Acent features seven carefully vetted, high-impact charities serving Lewiston and the greater Androscoggin County region. These organizations aren't asking for much: just your awareness and whatever support you can offer, whether that's $5 from your coffee fund or an hour of your time. Every contribution, no matter the size, creates real change in your community.

Location: Auburn, Maine (serving Lewiston and all of Maine)

What They Do:
Good Shepherd Food Bank holds an exceptional 100% four-star rating from Charity Navigator, making it one of Maine's most trusted hunger-relief organizations. As the largest hunger relief organization in Maine, they distribute over 40 million pounds of food annually to more than 600 partner agencies across the state, including food pantries, meal sites, schools, and senior programs. Their 94.65% program expense ratio means nearly every dollar donated directly supports their mission of eliminating hunger. They rescue perfectly good food and redistribute it through local partnerships, with 95 cents of every dollar going directly to program support.

Why It Matters:
Food insecurity affects students, families, and community members throughout the Lewiston area, especially during economic uncertainty. Good Shepherd's efficiency means your support goes directly to addressing hunger in your community. They provide the equivalent of 2 meals for every $1 donated, and their volunteer-supported model maximizes impact while building community connections. As a Bates student, you understand the stress of budgeting for meals, and this organization ensures that financial barriers don't prevent anyone in your community from accessing nutritious food.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.gsfb.org/

Location: Lewiston, Maine

What They Do:
Tree Street Youth is a Lewiston-based community of youth and adults who use their diverse lived experiences and collective empowerment to co-create youth-centered programs and partnerships that encourage leadership, learning, exploration, and growth. They serve youth ages 4-24 with programming grounded in radical accessibility and relationships rooted in equity and care. Their programs include the PINE (Peer Inspired Navigation of Employment) initiative, which connects local youth with employers while building workplace skills, and partnerships with organizations like The Nature Conservancy for outdoor leadership development.

Why It Matters:
As a college student, you understand the transformative power of mentorship and inclusive spaces for learning and growth. Tree Street Youth specifically serves immigrant and refugee families in Lewiston, many of whom have experienced trauma and are navigating new cultural environments. Their programming helps young people develop leadership skills while staying connected to their cultural identities. The organization's grassroots approach and community-driven programming creates lasting change for youth who might otherwise lack access to leadership development opportunities.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://treestreetyouth.org/

Location: Lewiston, Maine

What They Do:
Trinity Jubilee Center operates with an 87% three-star Charity Navigator rating while serving the hungry, homeless, and others in need throughout Androscoggin County. They provide comprehensive services including a soup kitchen serving 100-150 meals daily six days per week, a food pantry providing healthy food and diapers to 100 households weekly, a day shelter offering warmth and rest, a resource center with phone and internet access, and an immigrant integration program assisting with job applications and immigration paperwork. They're currently building a new 10,000 square foot facility to expand their capacity after outgrowing their basement location.

Why It Matters:
Housing insecurity, hunger, and immigrant support needs affect people across demographics in the Lewiston area. Trinity Jubilee Center's comprehensive approach addresses multiple barriers simultaneously, from emergency food assistance to job placement support for new Americans. Their 90% program expense ratio ensures donated funds go directly to services. The organization serves as a crucial safety net for community members facing crisis, while their immigrant integration program helps new residents navigate systems and find employment opportunities.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://trinityjubileecenter.org/

Location: Lewiston, Maine

What They Do:
YWCA Central Maine maintains an impressive 96% four-star rating from Charity Navigator while working to eliminate racism and empower women throughout the region. They provide accessible and culturally appropriate resources for health and wellness, recreation, childcare, and advocacy, with particular focus on advancing women's rights, supporting people of color, and promoting economic justice. Their services include affordable childcare, therapeutic swim programs, anti-racist education, swimming instruction, and community pool access, serving 75 employees and extensive community programming.

Why It Matters:
Gender and racial equity issues affect everyone in the community, including college students who will soon enter the workforce. YWCA Central Maine's work addresses systemic barriers while providing practical support like affordable childcare for working families. Their 83.42% program expense ratio demonstrates effective use of donations. As someone likely passionate about social justice, supporting YWCA means investing in long-term systemic change while helping families access immediate services like childcare and wellness programs.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.ywcamaine.org/

Location: Lewiston, Maine (serving Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties)

What They Do:
Community Concepts operates as a Community Action Agency with a three-star Charity Navigator rating, providing comprehensive resources to move local residents and businesses forward. They address poverty through programs including parenting support, workforce development, housing assistance, energy programs, transportation services, and family support initiatives. Their "Parenting Through Recovery" program specifically supports parents working on recovery while learning about the effects of substance use on family relationships. They employ 385 people and maintain $30.1 million in revenue while serving families throughout central Maine.

Why It Matters:
Many working families and recent college graduates in the Lewiston area struggle with housing costs, transportation access, and economic stability despite being employed. Community Concepts addresses root causes of poverty through coordinated services that help people transition from crisis to stability. Their comprehensive approach means one organization can help with everything from job training to emergency assistance to family support services, making it easier for community members to access the help they need.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://ccimaine.org/

Location: Auburn, Maine (serving Androscoggin and Oxford Counties)

What They Do:
Safe Voices provides comprehensive services to combat domestic violence and sex trafficking throughout Androscoggin and Oxford Counties. They operate the first pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in Maine, ensuring survivors don't have to choose between their safety and their beloved pets. Their services include individual advocacy, crisis intervention, legal support, safety planning, support groups, and emergency shelter services. The organization works to end domestic violence while providing immediate support and safety resources for survivors and their families.

Why It Matters:
Domestic violence affects people across all demographics, including college students and young professionals. Safe Voices provides essential safety services that can literally save lives, while their pet-friendly approach recognizes that many survivors delay leaving dangerous situations because they can't bring their pets. As Elise Johansen, their Executive Director, notes: "To know that you can bring your beloved furry family member with you when you're in the midst of crisis and trauma...to have something that brings you comfort and is part of your family is just immeasurable".

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://safevoices.org/

Location: Lewiston, Maine

What They Do:
Maine Public Broadcasting Network (Maine Public) operates with a four-star Charity Navigator rating while providing essential public media services throughout the state from their Lewiston headquarters. As Maine's public broadcasting service, they offer television, radio, and digital content that educates, informs, and engages communities across Maine. They serve as a trusted source of news, educational programming, and cultural content while maintaining their commitment to unbiased, high-quality journalism and public service media.

Why It Matters:
In an era of media consolidation and declining local journalism, Maine Public provides essential news coverage and educational programming that serves the entire state. Their presence in Lewiston makes them a significant community employer while ensuring that central Maine voices and stories are heard statewide. Supporting public media means investing in accurate, unbiased reporting and educational content that serves the public interest rather than private profit.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.mainepublic.org/

These seven organizations represent decades of proven community impact, financial transparency, and effective programming in the Lewiston area. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, or simply share awareness with friends, you're contributing to a stronger, more supportive community that benefits everyone, including current and future Bates College students who call this region home.