BangorHousing hopes the larger consolidated space will more than double the number of families that use their “life-changing” services.
BANGOR, Maine — Sen. Susan Collins announced Friday that 17 public housing authorities in Maine have been awarded a total of $11.6 million in federal funding, with $2 million going to Bangor.
With the annual money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, BangorHousing is completing the construction of its new Opportunity Center to help people who live in public housing.
“By investing in them, giving them opportunities, is ultimately what is most important so they can work their way out of poverty for themselves and their children,” BangorHousing Executive Director Mike Myatt said.
The agency is in the process of converting its administrative building into the new center, which will house BangorHousing’s Resident Services team and the Boys & Girls Club of Bangor.
In the Opportunity Center, they are creating new classrooms for the Boys & Girls Club and training areas for self-sufficiency and life-skills classes, bringing classes for adults and care for children under one roof.
Charlotte Southard, a Family Self Sufficiency coach at BangorHousing said one of their residents’ biggest barriers for accessing their services is transportation.
“So having classes, financial classes, parenting classes, everything on site, and having our partners able to come and meet with our residents on site will be a huge barrier that will be overcome,” she said.
Ashley McLaughlin, a public housing resident in Bangor is a single mom and has taken advantage of some of BangorHousing’s classes. “The opportunity alone to have childcare for these classes is beyond an incredible thing,” she said.
Through the classes McLaughlin has learned invaluable work and financial skills. “It means that I’m able to provide for my son. Really, I wouldn’t have access to most things if it wasn’t for BangorHousing,” she said.
McLaughlin’s neighbor and friend, Dominic Coolidge, appreciates the opportunities that BangorHousing offers.
“It’s a life-changing experience to me honestly, when it comes down to living with three children,” he said. “Having the basic opportunity of going to classes, doing what I need to do, to further my education, further my environment, further who I am.”
Leaders with BangorHousing hope this new space will more than double the number of people that use its services. The Opportunity Center is expected to open this fall for the upcoming school year.
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Read More: BangorHousing uses federal funds to complete Opportunity Center