Making Women's History: How will you support economic equality for all?

Women have long been underpaid and under-appreciated for their contributions to the economy. Women of color are much more likely to face wage discrimination and unemployment resulting from long-standing intersections of sexism and racism. According to the Center for American Progress, for every dollar earned by White men, Hispanic women earn 54 cents, Native women earn 57 cents, Black women earn 62 cents, White women earn 79 cents, and Asian women* earn 90 cents. Women of color, including migrant women, play an integral role in strengthening the economy while being highly under-recognized. Research shows that Black women hold the highest labor participation rate (LPR) regardless of age, marriage status, or children. However, due to a variety of historically racist and sexist laws, practices, and culturally-held beliefs, women of color face much more financial instability in comparison to White women.

Are you looking to help women advance in their careers? As part of our goal of being a welcoming city and building an inclusive economy, OEO supports immigrant women and women of color in growing their wealth, being in positions of leadership, and succeeding in entrepreneurial endeavors. Forty-three percent of the foreign-trained professionals advanced in their careers through the Portland Professional Connections program are women. Are you looking to advance in your career by growing your professional connections? Do you have a strong network that you can share with others? Sign up for Portland Professional Connections today!

* “While Asian American women tend to earn the highest wages of all women, there are wide variations across subpopulations, with some groups experiencing a much larger pay gap than others. For example, among full-time, year-round workers, Nepali women earn 50 cents and Cambodian women earn 57 cents for every dollar earned by white men.”

Flamenco Workshop, taught by Lindsay Bourassa, gives you the opportunity to try it out without committing to classes. Learn more and reserve a spot here for March 6th from 2:30-4:30.
Cultivating Belonging in Communities Webinar provides an inside look into the Belonging Begins with Us Campaign, a collaboration between the Ad Council, Center for Inclusion and Belonging, and Welcoming America. This campaign is dedicated to fostering a more welcoming U.S. where everyone–regardless of their background–can feel they belong. Come listen and learn how as individuals we have the collective power to create a truly welcoming and inclusive environment. Register here to join on March 10 from 12-1:30pm.
Alex and Olmstead's "Milo the Magnificent" is a highly engaging puppet show about an aspiring magician. This wordless comedy, inspired by turn of the century vaudeville entertainers, is as highly physical as it is charming. Using stunningly innovative puppetry, Milo presents a variety of magic tricks which don’t always go as planned. Great for all ages! Learn more and register here for the show on March 12 7:00-8:15.
Welcoming New Mainers to the Workplace! Join this virtual webinar put on by the Eaton Peabody Law Firm and the Regional Chamber of Commerce. Taking place on March 15 from 8-9am, the webinar will feature three presenters from In Her Presence, who will share about how their programs are working to further a thriving immigrant community in Maine by lifting the language barrier and supporting the career trajectory and financial stability of immigrants and their families. Learn more and regis ter here.
Do you know what it means to be a nonprofit in the U.S.? Have you thought about starting your own organization? Are you interested in what it takes to be a nonprofit organization? Sign up now to join us on March 16th from 12pm-1pm for this free virtual session that will provide an introduction to terms and structures related to nonprofits in the United States. This program is recommended for New Mainers, but anyone interested in learning about the legal expectations of nonprofits in the U.S. is welcome to enroll. It will not provide detailed training on the steps to starting a nonprofit, but there is a separate workshop available on that topic offered at SCORE a few times a year. To allow enough time for conversation, space is limited to 20.
Looking to grow your network? Join us and the Portland Regional Chamber for Portland Professional Connections Virtual Networking on March 29th at noon. Some estimate that upwards of 85 percent of open positions are filled through networking. If you’re looking for work or even a promotion, it might be better to put your time into building your professional network rather than filling out more online applications. PPC is designed to grow the professional network for foreign-trained professionals and connect industry leaders to talent in Portland Maine. Register here.

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!

Breaking News! Top Stories Now Translated in Six Languages!

Maine Public Connecting Communities has top news stories available in Portuguese, Spanish, Somali, and French, which you can find on Facebook or Youtube. They are also piloting news stories in Arabic and Khmer in their newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter to receive Maine Public News in all six languages!

Maine Resource Compass

Are you an entrepreneur just getting started or looking to grow a business currently in operation? If you are looking to get connected to other businesses and entrepreneurial support, explore this newly launched resource hub. The Portland Office of Economic Opportunity is already listed on the Resource Compass and always available to support racial, ethnic, and linguistic minorities in starting and growing local businesses.

Are You a Youth Educator Dedicated to Providing a Welcoming Environment to New Afghan Arrivals?

Switchboard has a New Toolkit! This toolkit provides a guide to supporting Afghan students in schools & youth programs in the United States. (it looks like there is a sign-in required? -- Should we include this?)

Do Immigrants Need a Real ID?

In most cases the answer is no. This article in Amjambo Africa answers all your questions about Real IDs, including when they are necessary, who is eligible, and what documents you can use instead.

City Hall Shines Lights in Solidarity with Ukraine

City Hall is lit up in blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag to show support for the hardship that the Ukrainian people are going through.

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. The next opportunity will be April 14, as March is already full. Sign up here for a time slot from 12:00-5:00 pm.

Portland Professional Connections

Join OEO and the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce to grow the professional network of foreign-trained professionals and connect industry leaders to talent in Portland Maine. The Portland Professional Connections program matches foreign-trained professionals (“Connectees”) with established business people and community members ("Connectors"). This informal networking arrangement is as simple as chatting over a virtual cup of coffee and then offering three additional contacts that Connectees can also get in touch with. Even as our networking opportunities have changed in these times of crisis, these connections can still be made virtually! Register here to attend as a "Connectee" or "Connector" and network with others in your industry!

City of Portland openings

To view all open City positions, visit here

Recreation Division Director – Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department

This position is responsible for administrative and managerial work in planning, organizing and directing the management and operations of the Recreation Division of the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department. Work is carried out with great independence, initiative and judgment under the supervision of the Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities. This position plans, directs and manages the administration, employees and operations of recreation, therapeutic recreation and aquatics, and golf course. It oversees recreational programs and facilities, including but not limited to: four community centers, one outdoor pool and two indoor pools, nine Before and After the Bell school sites, and a thirty-hole municipal golf course. Manages the creation and implementation of both existing and new recreational and community programs in indoor and outdoor settings to meet community needs. This position performs long range planning and development of new recreational facilities, systems and equipment. Oversees marketing of programs with supervision of direct mailing of brochures and various other outreach to customers. Utilizes social media, newsletters, and other methods to conduct outreach to the community. Prepares the annual budget for recreation, golf course, aquatics & therapeutic recreation sections. Salary range: $80,654 - $99,177/year. Application Deadline is March 25. View full job description and learn how to apply here.

Maintenance Worker II-Streets and Sidewalks

Department of Public Works – Up to $2,500 Sign On Bonus Available
Successful applicant will be subject to winter shift assignment which is Monday thru Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 5 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. during the winter period then will work off-winter season schedule consisting of five 8-hour days or four 10-hour days.
Requirements:Thorough knowledge of the functions and operating methods of a wide variety of construction equipment; ability to operate equipment efficiently and safely; ability to make minor repairs; good visual acuity for driving and physical strength, agility and stamina necessary to withstand exposure to adverse climatic conditions; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors and members of the public; valid Maine Class B driver’s license (we are willing to provide schooling to attain CDL license and will cover the cost involved); must undergo a pre-employment medical exam and fitness assessment; must pass criminal conviction background check and pass federally mandated drug test with current CDL license or will be tested upon CDL permit attainment; must have and maintain a good driving record. Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.
Pay range starting at $811.20/week ($20.28/hour). Deadline is March 22nd. Apply here.

Financial Eligibility Specialist

This position processes General Assistance applications and determines financial eligibility in a high volume, ethnically rich, multi-site work environment. Job responsibilities include: Computing consumer budgets, utilizing a language line for non-English speaking applicants, verification of income and expenses, processing vendor payment vouchers, preparing decision sheets, interacting with community agencies, participating in Fair Hearings and maintaining electronic files. This work includes interaction with a diverse consumer base requiring flexibility, a positive attitude and solutions-based thinker with a focus on the delivery of excellent customer service. The work schedule is Wednesday-Sunday 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM. Pay is starting at $19.30/hr. Deadline to apply is March 4th. Read full description and apply here.

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.

Policy and Outreach Advocate/Policy and Outreach Attorney; Immigration Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)

ILAP is seeking a Policy and Outreach Attorney or Policy and Outreach Advocate to lead our immigration policy and outreach efforts. The individual may be an attorney or someone with immigration law and policy skills and work history. We strongly encourage applicants with a lived immigrant experience. The position is responsible for conducting ILAP’s immigration policy work; coordinating with ILAP staff to conduct education and outreach on immigration laws and legal rights; and working with the communications team to share information on immigration issues and ILAP’s work with partners, supporters, the public, and the media.

Compensation: Beginning salary for candidates with a J.D. and two years of immigration law or related advocacy experience is $61,000 or higher depending on years of directly relevant experience. Salary for candidates without a J.D. is commensurate with directly relevant experience. Review of applications begin March 4th, but will continue until the position is filled. Learn more about the position and how to apply here.

Wayside Food Programs - Community Programs Manager

This position is responsible for managing and overseeing two Wayside programs: Community Meals Program and Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).

Through both programs, Wayside partners with community centers, places of worship, and community service organizations to share food with community members in welcoming, engaging, and safe environments.

The Community Programs Manager is a 32 hour/week position. Responsibilities include overall program development, operations, and management including working with existing partners to strengthen overall program objectives; working with partners and volunteers to make sure sites are meeting Wayside standards and that partners and volunteers are trained and informed; oversee reporting requirements; assist partner sites with outreach and marketing. This position is a combination of administrative duties and fieldwork.

Compensation: $19.25/hr + $500 signing bonus after 3 months.This is a full-time job with benefits including generous PTO, health and dental insurance, and an employer-matched retirement account. Applications are due by March 18th. Read full job description and learn how to apply here.

Cumberland County - Homeless Response Service Hub Coordinator

Join a team of committed, results-oriented, and successful professionals who work to support and advance United Way of Southern Maine’s (UWSM’s) mission to improve people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.

The Cumberland County Homeless Service Hub Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the homeless response system for one of nine service hubs in the state. Salary Range: $50,000-$52,000. More information here.