The Parkside Neighborhood Center People’s Regional Opportunity Program (PROP) is a Community Action Agency serving twenty-three communities in Cumberland County, Maine. In 2009, PROP intensified its efforts to serve Parkside, a particularly distressed community located in its service area.

With over 5,000 residents, Parkside is the most densely populated square mile in Maine and has a high level of poverty. Parkside is also home to a number of families who are first and second generation immigrants or refugees. Having come to Parkside with few personal possessions and fleeing religious and political persecution, many of these families are struggling with culture shock and post-traumatic stress disorder.

By meeting the basic needs of Parkside residents and providing community programming, PROP Parkside Neighborhood Center acts as a springboard on the residents’ path to economic security. In 2009, the Center served over 700 people. Families received assistance with obtaining basic items, such as food and diapers, as well as critical assistance to avoid homelessness.

The PROP Parkside Neighborhood Center also offers community programming. The goals of the community programming are:

(1) to create an informal system of supports for Parkside adults and families;

(2) to enrich the lives of low-income Parkside residents through education; and

(3) to provide a safe venue for New Americans to gather and learn about issues specific to their communities, with a goal of economic security and integration into their new community.

To this end, the Director of the Parkland Neighborhood Center coordinates weekly classes and support groups based on community need and interest. In 2009, offerings at the Center included: “An Even Start Family Literacy Program for parents with children in Head Start;” “ A weekly support group for survivors of torture hosted by Community Counseling Center;” A Rwandan youth dance group called “Umuco;” “A Somali Qu’ran class for youth ;” a wellness class for African women hosted by the Frannie Peabody Center ; Parkside Fun Mentoring, a program run by Community Policing matching elementary-aged children with mentors from a local high school.

Outcomes for each community class offered at the Center include that:

• Of all community class participants, 70% report that participation has helped them to (a) increase their ability to care for their families and/or children, (b) build a local support system focused on neighborhood resource-sharing (in transportation, child care, etc.), and (c) take steps in reaching long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

• Of the people participating in classes and groups targeted at issues specific to New Americans, 80% report that participation has helped them (a) build a community support system focused on culturally-appropriate interventions and resources, (b) gain education/awareness on issues of interest to them and (c) increase their ability to access jobs, health care and other services in Portland. CSBG funds provide critical administrative support to the Parkside Neighborhood Center. By linking residents to programs, resources and each other, the Center binds all stakeholders together and helps facilitate a system of both informal and formal supports for Parkside families.

*Source: FY 2010 CSBG IS Survey

Data sources

• U.S. Census Bureau, “American FactFinder,” 2007 American Community Survey (accessed May 2011). Data came from the following tables: Statewide poverty percentages, GCT1701, Ratio of income to poverty level, C17002
• U.S. Census Bureau, “American FactFinder,” 2009 American Community Survey (accessed May 2011). Data came from the following tables: Statewide poverty percentages, GCT1701, Ratio of income to poverty level, C17002
• Half in Ten analysis of Table 1, 2007 State Expenditure Report, National Association of State Budget Officers.
• Half in Ten analysis of Table 1, 2009 State Expenditure Report, National Association of State Budget Officers.
• College Board Trends in Pricing
• U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2007 through 2008.
• U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2009 through 2010.
• U.S. Census Bureau, “American FactFinder,” 2007 American Community Survey (accessed May 2011). Data came from the following tables: R2515
• U.S. Census Bureau, “American FactFinder,” 2009 American Community Survey (accessed May 2011). Data came from the following tables: R2515