NSB Extends Decade-Plus Support of New Beginnings in Lewiston with New Contribution
LEWISTON—For over 40 years, it has presented homeless youth with safety, counseling, and an understanding of their value and worth and, in the process, positively changed the direction of thousands.
“If it wasn’t for New Beginnings, I’d still be on the streets,” said one 19-year-old.
“Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” said another.
The impact of New Beginnings is transformative. Through its doors, the Lewiston-based organization literally provides a safe path for struggling young people to begin a journey to a better life.
New Beginnings operates a 24-hour youth shelter named Marian’s Place on 491 Main Street, offers additional supportive housing, and sponsors a street outreach team to help youth from throughout Maine find safety. The staff provides a warm welcome to youth (ages 10-21), encouragement for family mediation, and case management. The organization helps develop life skills through education and employment support and provides prevention services to curb the risk of homelessness.
It’s a mission that has inspired generosity from individuals and organizations throughout Maine, including Norway Savings Bank, which has offered financial support to New Beginnings for over a decade, including a $1,000 contribution in May.
“Each year, New Beginnings helps hundreds and hundreds of youth and families find opportunities for the connection, growth, and safety that allow people to thrive,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings. “The spectrum of services is preventing young people from becoming homeless, supporting struggling families, and helping at-risk youth grow into healthy and flourishing adults. What could be more important than that? We’re proud to be able to play a small part in helping them succeed in this crucial work.”
“Norway Savings Bank’s ongoing investment helps ensure that 24 hours per day and 365 days a year, young people can find a friendly face, kind words, a hot meal, and a warm, safe place to sleep when they have nowhere else to go,” said Chris Bicknell, Executive Director of New Beginnings. “We’re thankful for this help in supporting youth in meeting urgent needs and helping them improve their long-term prospects.”
The work of New Beginnings is celebrated in Lewiston and beyond, not only in terms of the intervention and guidance, but in the way in which the staff treats each person with care and appreciation.
“It’s so much more than a shelter,” said Linette Dehetre, Branch Manager and Retail Lender VP for NSB in Auburn. “They work closely with youth to improve their health and life skills and pursue employment, education, and independence. It really is remarkable.”
“Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. New Beginnings lives out this ideal with everything it does,” said Walsh. “It offers healing and hope.”
New Beginnings has a 24-hour helpline for anyone in need of assistance at 207-795-4070.
To learn more about the organization, including the many ways in which you can help New Beginnings with its mission, visit www.newbeginmaine.org.
