Learn more about OEO

OEO strives for Portland to be a city where everyone belongs. We work towards a more inclusive city by supporting the civic engagement of racial, ethnic, and linguistic minorities particularly in positions of leadership, through serving on boards and commissions. The Natural Helpers program is a key component of how OEO encourages connections and engagement between members of the community and local resources, networks, and opportunities.

The Natural Helpers program invites leaders who are already doing incredible work serving the community to attend training at USM, followed by days of connecting with local organizations, programs, and resources. Participants have a built-in peer group of other community leaders with whom they can share challenges, experiences, and best practices. The connections made through the program support Natural Helpers to better serve their communities and connect others to valuable resources to make sure no one is excluded from local government and community resources. OEO is dedicated to ensuring full participation in the systems that shape the lives of all city residents.

We are so appreciative of all of the work that the participants in the Natural Helper Leadership Program have done to improve a sense of belonging for all. Learn more about the 2022 cohort and the incredible work they are doing. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates and occasional shout-outs to the Natural Helpers!

Building Thriving Workplaces: Spotlight on Employee Mental Health with Thrive2027, hosted by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Attend this panel discussion on April 6 at 10:00am learn about the long-term benefits of creating a mental health-friendly workplace, including helping employees lead longer, more fulfilling lives, and improving employee retention. Register and learn more here.
STEP AFRIKA! will be performing a joyful mixture of songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. Don't miss it on April 7 at 7:00pm. Purchase tickets here.
Celebrate Khmer New Year Through Music and Dance! Join Khmer Maine and the Angkor Dance Troupe to experience the magic and wonder of classical Khmer dancing and folk music in the intimate setting of Mayo Street Arts on April 8 from 7:00-9:00pm. Reserve tickets here.
Join Indigo Arts Alliance and Khmer Maine as they host a special in-person film screening on April 10 of the documentary Yary Livan: Khmer Traditional Ceramic Artist. This film centers around Master Yary Livan, one of three remaning traditional Khmer ceramists in the world, and his mission to preserve the dying art form through community engagement and education. Tickets available here.
2022 Justice for Women Lecture, hosted by University of Maine School of Law. Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, will present her lecture, The Struggle for a More Equal World - Why It's Essential and How We Can Win. Register here to join via zoom on April 25 at 12:00pm.
Visions for our Future; Echoes of our Past: Dianne Smith, Nyugen E. Smith, and Carl Joe Williams, presented by Indigo Arts Alliance (IAA) and the The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at Maine College of Art & Design. The exhibition offers a perspective into the lives, histories and experience of Black/Brown culture and communities that are historically siloed, suppressed, and traditionally removed from the canon of art history. On display from March 25-May 6 2022. Stay tuned for virtual artist talk scheduled for April 21 from 5:00-6:30pm.

To stay updated on community events and opportunities, visit OEO's community calendar, which is updated on a daily basis.

Have an event you think is relevant and want to add to the OEO calendar?

Submit it here!

Do you speak English and Spanish and want to tutor school-aged children?

Gateway Community Services Maine Tutor Program is looking for volunteer tutors who can speak both Spanish and English. We have received referrals from elementary school-aged students looking for help with English via Zoom or in Portland who could use your support. If interested, fill out this referral form.

Report Reveals Injustice at Boston Asylum Office

The practices used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Boston Asylum Office to review asylum claims violate international and domestic law, according to a new report from the University of Maine School of Law's Refugee and Human Rights Clinic (RHRC), Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP), ACLU of Maine, and Dr. Basileus Zeno, Karl Loewenstein Fellow and Political Science Lecturer at Amherst College. Learn more here.

Current Openings! Higher Opportunities for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) Program

Are you a parent interested in obtaining a training certificate? associates degree? or bachelors degree? Jobs for Maine Grads and the Office of Family Independence at DHHS are teaming up to help more people get access to the HOPE program. The Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) Program is committed to helping you reach your educational goals by helping cover costs related to school from childcare to transportation, as well as tuition assistance. Learn more here.

Immigration Legal Aid Clinic

Are you a Portlander and interested in meeting with a lawyer one-on-one via Zoom to discuss your immigration case? The Immigration Legal Aid Clinic hosted by OEO and Maine Business Immigration Coalition is held every second Thursday of the month. April and May are already full, but there are two opportunities is June on the 9th and 16th! . Sign up here for a time slot from 12:00-5:00 pm.

Color of Climate

Gateway Community Services is looking for more youth to join the Color of Climate (CoC) program! CoC is a program that is led by BIPOC youth, and we discuss climate change and climate justice. We welcome youth to join us during our Wednesday youth member meetings(YMM) at 5pm over Zoom: link here.

CA$H Greater Portland's Free Tax Preparation Service

Looking fore help filing taxes this year? Check here to see if you are eligible for free tax preparation. Qualifying individuals have three options. Option 1: Visit getyourrefund.org/gpmaine to start your online intake process. Option 2: File your own taxes (with access to helpline support) at myfreetaxes.com. Option 3: visit one of our Scan & Go Sites.

Portland Adult Education Offering Spring Workforce Training Programs

PAE is currently recruiting for the Bridge to Healthcare Careers, Bookkeeping Certificate, Healthcare Office and Patient Service Certificate, Office Clerk Certificate and many more! The CDL Permit Prep class now includes a partnership with Portland Public Schools, offering an opportunity for employment and paid training to become a school bus driver. Deadline to apply is April 14. Review the class offerings here. Interested? Complete this form.

City Launches ARPA Microenterprise Grant Program

The City of Portland announces the launch of a new Microenterprise grant program aimed at supporting businesses, existing and new, that have been or continue to be impacted by the pandemic. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are making this program possible. The grant program is open to both nonprofits and for-profit businesses in Portland. To be eligible, the business must have seven or fewer employees (including the owner), and the business owner(s) must be low/moderate income (see table). The grant will provide up to $7,500 to be used for rent, payroll, equipment, insurance, inventory, and other working capital needs. Learn more and find the application here.

Freshen up your Professional Skills this Spring!

University of Southern Maine has many live-online professional development programs for you to choose from. Check out this list of ways you may qualify for a 20% discount.

Visit the Journey Maps

City of Portland openings

To view all open City positions, visit here

Director of Housing and Economic Development

Department of Housing and Economic Development. The Housing and Economic Development Director is responsible for planning, organizing, setting objectives, formulating policy options, and directing and evaluating the activities and programs of the Housing and Economic Department. Salary Range: $111,901.00 - $137,630.00 Annually. Review of applications will begin April 25. Learn more and apply here.

Human Services Counselor

Health and Human Services Department – Social Services Division. The position will focus on triaging needs of those seeking emergency shelter services and coordinating appropriate community and housing resources. These positions will increase community supports and overall stabilization leading to permanent, safe and supportive housing. This work Includes applying for housing subsidies, location and placement in permanent housing, reunification, client outreach and relationship building, development of housing resources, increased representative payee participation and referrals and follow up to ensure increased community support. Other job duties include: crisis intervention, referral for detox and other substance use services, referral for mental health services, referral for healthcare services, as well as communication with the Oxford Street Shelter Support Services and Shelter Teams. Compensation: starting at $21.22/hour. Apply by April 8.

Program Manager-Strategic Development

Health and Human Services Department – Public Health Division. Seeking a leader who excels in, and enjoys, identifying and utilizing data to drive strategy, direction, funding and best practice programming within the HHS Department. Our candidate will be responsible for researching funding opportunities to advance strategic priorities and unmet needs or gaps in service. This position will research, write, procure, track and manage grants including specific requirements and submission deadlines. Salary range: $70,968 - $87,273 annually. Apply by April 11.

Other Job openings

**Our organization does not currently post job announcements without at least a minimum salary or a salary range. The negative consequences related to lack of transparency around salary are too great for people of color, women, and especially women of color. Hopefully, your team discussions will result in this small but meaningful change to your job postings and modeling equitable hiring practices for the field. If they do, let us know and we will excitedly share them with our network.

Development Assistant (ILAP)

ILAP is seeking a full-time Development Assistant (30-40 hours) to support our year-round fundraising activities. This is a new position that will be responsible for donor database management, gift processing, and grant writing and administration, among other tasks. We strongly encourage applicants with knowledge of the immigration system built through lived experience. Compensation: $41,500 for 40 hours per week, adjusted for fewer hours based on full-time equivalency (FTE) (e.g. 30 hours = 0.75 FTE = $31,125). Learn more and apply here.

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - DHHS

As Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Maine Department of Health and Human Services, you will have primary responsibility for the implementation of the Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the evaluation of DEI initiatives, with a strong focus on the social determinants of health, across the Department. Salary Range: $81,806.41 - $ 129,979.20 /year. Apply here by April 15.

Welcoming Library Project Manager, I'm Your Neighbor Books

I’m Your Neighbor Books (IYNB) is seeking a detail-oriented, proactive individual to serve as our Welcoming Library Project Manager. Through the Welcoming Library (WL) and other projects, IYNB strives to build a stronger America, one where immigrants are welcomed and where first-through-third-generation Americans truly belong. This goal is met by facilitating deep engagement with the children’s books that represent our New Arrival and New American communities. Compensation: $40,000/yr. Position will remain open until filled. Read full job description and how to apply here.

Furniture Friends, Warehouse Assistant/Driver

The Warehouse Assistant/Driver provides support to Furniture Friends’ mission of acquiring and delivering furniture to people in need in the Greater Portland area. Looking for a mature individual who is self-directed and can work independently. Must be 25 years of age or older, hold a valid driver’s license with clean driving record, have a proven ability to drive a double-axel 16” box truck, pleasant manner, dependable, able to lift 50 pounds and be proficient in conversational English. Must agree to driving assessment as well as background and driving record checks. Time Commitment: 20-25 hours/week, flexible, though anticipated Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Saturday mornings. Compensation: $17.00/hour plus a commitment bonus of $1,000 ($500 paid after 6 months of satisfactory employment, $500 paid after 1 year of satisfactory employment). Learn more and apply here. Looking to hire as soon as possible.