Program Overview

Natural Helpers is an intensive and immersive fellowship where fellows will connect deeply with resources in the greater Portland area. Fellows will receive 8 full days of leadership training. During the training participants will learn in detail about the community resources available in Portland. Participants will make connections with other community and organizational leaders with whom they can share challenges, experiences, and best practices. Each Natural Helper Fellow receives education, career advancement opportunities, and stable social networking that results in economic mobility, educational credentials and a mayoral certificate.

The 2025 Natural Helpers Program consists of: 

  • 8 Full day sessions, occurring on bi-weekly Saturdays for 8 hours.

  • 8 volunteer hours within Workforce and Community Development

  • Attending at least one networking activity

  • Engaging in an immersive activity (like downhill skiing!)

Each participant spends at minimum 57 hours in the program. This does not include extracurriculars they choose to take on or mentorship. During the session Fellows will network with over 25+ community partners, 12 CBO’s, 2 Government agencies and 5 private businesses.

Fellowship Details

  • Applications and nominations open: November 12th, 2024

    Applications close: December 2nd, 2024, by 5 pm

    Interviews: December 3rd-20th, 2024

    Final selection of cohort: January 5th, 2025

    Dates of training: February 1st - May 10th, 2025

    Graduation: May 24th, 2025

    All trainings are currently scheduled to take place at City Hall (389 Congress St.), however there will be some alternate sites. Sites will be provided to selected cohort.

  • We understand that your time is valuable, we also understand that to participate will be an additional task on top of the leadership each fellow provides to the community. Because of this, Natural Helpers program will provide the following stipends:

    Childcare Stipend- Childcare Stipend will be provided for Fellows with families .

    Transportation- Transportation Stipend for Fellows.

    Fellowship Stipend- All Fellows will receive a stipend for participation. First payment at the midpoint of the program and last payment at the end.

    We will provide Free breakfast and lunch.

    Group network final dinner + graduation dinner.

    We will provide Mentorship through various sources.

    Access to Organization Leaders/ Networks across Portland.

    Immersive experience with organizations from various sectors

    OEO + NH Swag and clothing gear.

    We will provide a Mayoral NH certificate, USM educational certificate and credentialing.

  • ARAM GUPTILL

    Aram Guptill is a 12th-generation Mainer who focuses on multilingual education through a realm of community leadership, peace education, and self-expression. He holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

    Both in and outside of the classroom, Aram is committed to fostering understanding and positive change across linguistic and cultural landscapes.

    Aside from his work in the education sphere, Aram serves as the co-executive director of Hackmatack Farm and Playhouse, a professional performance theater and regenerative small-scale farm in Berwick, Maine.

    TEAGAN DOW

    Teagan is an HR consultant and organizational development expert with a passion for fostering inclusive and resilient environments.

    After 10 years as a corporate attorney, she founded Mariner HR and Business Consultants, where she specializes in creating people-focused strategies that help organizations build stronger teams, develop impactful leaders, and cultivate cultures of belonging.

    Teagan teaches courses such as supervision, accountability, and belonging. Her approach emphasizes not only providing practical tools but also offering fresh perspectives, empowering individuals to achieve their goals while fostering deeper connections with those around them. She has guided businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations in designing policies and practices that empower individuals from all walks of life to thrive.

    Whether coaching executives, mentoring community leaders, or facilitating start ups and grassroots initiatives, her mission remains the same: to create spaces where every voice is heard, and every person feels valued.

  • How do you connect the dots?

    There are countless resources available to Portlanders, and this session seeks to educate you on knowing what these specific resources are, where to find them, and how to access them so you can guide your fellow community members in doing the same. Community organizations and services will be presenting on what they have to offer and how to access their essential services. Some topics include accessing legal services, the Metro, recreation, enrolling in school and healthcare, and more. During these sessions, Natural Helpers will also have the chance to apply what they have learned by analyzing several case studies and making appropriate references to services that could help in each unique scenario.

    How can you problem solve through leadership skills?

    You will likely encounter (and probably already have encountered) a diverse set of situations and problems varying in scope. This session will focus on how to develop leadership skills to provide Natural Helpers with the means and knowledge to assess and deal with the situation at hand in the most professional, effective, and sensitive way.