NSB Commits $25,000 to Youth and Family Outreach’s Major Portland Expansion Effort

PORTLAND—Since 1846, Youth and Family Outreach (YFO) in the Bayside neighborhood of Portland has empowered children and their families by offering compassionate care in many forms, including its current early care and education facility.

Driven by a mission to meet evolving needs through the years has led YFO to a new endeavor that will help provide effective solutions to two of Portland’s biggest challenges: housing and child care.

“The Building a Brighter Future Capital Campaign is a major expansion effort that brings together MaineHousing, government funding, and additional contributions from individuals and businesses who appreciate our purpose. The project includes the construction of a six-story building on Cumberland Avenue that will contain a 12,000 square-foot early care and education center on the ground floor and 60 apartments above, 48 of which will be affordable,” said Camelia Babson-Haley, Executive Director of YFO.

The remarkable and unwavering kindness and assistance that has defined YFO for over 180 years continually inspires Norway Savings Bank, which recently committed $25,000 to the campaign in recognition of the organization’s benevolence and mission (picture, caption below).

“It was amazing to visit the site where this new facility and housing is being developed,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “It’s heartwarming to think how many children and families in need will benefit from the doubling of YFO’s childcare capacity, these 60 units of family housing, and more space for community partners and additional programming. NSB is thrilled to be able to play a small part in helping YFO complete this important project and continue the indelible and positive difference it has and will deliver to generations of people.”

“I am so thankful to everyone at Norway Savings Bank and all of our donors for this generous support,” said Babson-Haley. “This project will be life-changing for many families and to have community organizations and businesses invest in our vision and impact in this way is overwhelming. We are moved and grateful.”

The facility and housing units are expected to be available in 2028, with development efforts continuing this fall and next year.

There are so many ways to assist in the Building a Brighter Future Capital Campaign. To learn how you can help or to discover more about YFO, visit the organization’s website at www.yfoutreachme.org.

Pictured (L to R): Dan Valente, Project Manager for Ouellet Construction; Dan Walsh, President and CEO for NSB; Camelia Babson-Haley, Executive Director of YFO; Darci Hamm, COO and EVP for NSB; Melissa Rock, Marketing Director SVP for NSB.