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Youth Programming
Study Centers
Study Center Page
The Portland Housing Authority Study Centers offer Academic support and educational activities during the academic year. Study Centers are open daily for youth seeking academic support and mentoring, arts and enrichment programming, service learning activities, and a safe space conducive to study. The Study Centers have internet, computers, printers, scanners, photocopiers, and other resources available as well as staff on site to offer support and connection with resources.
More information about the Study Centers including locations and schedules can be found here.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H
Contact Information
The 4-H club focuses on science, math, leadership and community service. The club activities happen mostly during the after-school Study Center hours. Parents are always welcome to help out however they can.
There are math classes, science activities and summer experiments for youth in grades 3 and above . For teens there are leadership activities and connections to colleges.
The CHEETA Project
Contact Information
The Community Hope through Education Empowerment Training and Action (CHEETA) Project is a youth empowerment program of the Portland Housing Authority (PHA) Portland, Maine.
It is a leadership and community building program that was created and developed by the youth who serve as its members & staff. CHEETA started as a series of workshops in summer of 2010 and opened a teen drop-in center for youth 13-18 years old in Riverton Park in 2011. In summer of 2013, the program expanded to Sagamore Village, Kennedy Park, and Front Street with workshops to develop youth leadership opportunities in those neighborhoods.
With the expansion of the program under the auspices of the Portland Housing Authority, the CHEETA project now operates through the PHA Study Centers during the summer months with internships for teens.
Head Start
Contact Information
Head Start is a program that provides all children with a safe nurturing environment while supporting parents while they identify and meet their own goals and nurture the development of their children. Head Start sites are located throughout Cumberland County. Head Start is part/day part/year. Free program to qualifying families.
Kennedy Park
Head Start operates in Kennedy Park out of Bayside Anchor (81 East Oxford Street) from Monday-Friday.
Riverton Park
Headstart operates in Riverton park at 102 Riverton Drive Monday-Friday.
Contact Opportunity Alliance for information and registration.
Portland Public Library
Bookmobile
The bookmobile serves Portland neighborhoods without a nearby Library branch, individuals and families (particularly those with young children) who may lack transportation or the time to travel, or have health problems. They visit over 20 locations throughout the city including schools, residential areas, and special events. The bookmobile holds 1,700 items for all ages – fiction, nonfiction, audiobooks, DVDs, graphic novels, picture books and chapter books for kids. The bookmobile has wheelchair access, wireless Internet capabilities, and solar panels.
The bookmobile makes regular stops in:
- Riverton Park
- Sagamore Village
- Kennedy Park
For schedules and offerings visit the Bookmobile website here.
Mayo Street Arts
Contact Information
Mayo Street Arts strives to strengthen its neighborhood and community by providing a haven for the arts that is vibrant, safe, and inspiring; and to engage area youths of diverse cultural communities in robust participation in the visual, performing, and literary arts.
Public Events/Programs:
Mayo Street Arts has a variety of art, music, and theater events throughout the year. To see their schedule of events, please go to their Upcoming Events Page here.
Boys & Girls Club
Contact Information
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine provides transportation from Riverton Park and Sagamore village to the downtown clubhouse on Cumberland Ave Monday through Friday afternoons.
Cultivating Community
Contact Information
Cultivating Community has a community garden in the Kennedy Park community. Each summer, they employ youth from around Portland for their Youth Growers program. If you would like to find out more information about Cultivating Community, check out their website