What We Do
Mission:
Gateway Community Services, Maine (GCSM) seeks to encourage, support and build healthy connections within oneself and others in order to promote vibrancy and well-being, along with welcoming communities where all people feel accepted, valued and have a sense of belonging.
Vision:
GCSM strives to help make Maine an inclusive and meaningful home for all – a place where communities are connected, and all people thrive.
Our Programs
Community Youth Coalition
Formerly the COVID-19 Youth Coalition, GCSM originally developed youth led Coalitions in Lewiston and Portland, each with 10 members, to help our community deal with the challenges of COVID-19. In addition to leading the conversation about COVID-19, the youth in the Coalition have also led conversations on voting as well as...
Color of Climate
Color of Climate centers youth and Black, Indigenous and People of Color, their voices, experiences, and perspectives on climate change and environmental justice. COC members explore the intersection of the climate crisis and our communities, who is involved in the fight for climate justice, and how you can be a leader in change.
Workshops
Before the Pandemic, Gateway hosted many in-person workshops on the topics of health, financial literacy, college, careers, and more. We continue to host a hybrid model of in-person and virtual workshops. For the latest public events and workshops, please check our Facebook and Instagram pages.
The Gateway Hubs
GCSM has worked hard to create a space that is open and inviting for community members, especially to youth and young adults. For this reason, GCSM has things like a pool table and TVs to watch the next big soccer game with friends, while also providing a quiet study space including individual and group work areas and study supplies. In addition to the facility itself, the Gateway Hubs aim to bring a variety of programming to the space that can speak to the interests and curiosities of our community members.
Community Health Worker Testimonial
We are excited to share this clip, filmed and edited by Boundless MEdia, highlighting the work that Ekhlas Ahmed has done for our community as a community health worker.