7. 26,445 adults and children receive cash assistance
from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF).
8. 5,000 households in
Cumberland County
alone depend on food
pantries every month.
21% of food pantries
report that their
numbers have more
than doubled.
9. 82% of food pantries have had to make some type
of cutback, either giving out less food or even
turning people away.
Given these dire circumstances, what can one do?
10. Working for Portland's Preble Street Resource Center,
"creating solutions for homelessness, hunger, and
poverty" can help.
15. Many hands do make light work,
a few tears, and full pantries.
16. Reflections
• “They were desperate for something I take for granted and
feel entitled to have.”
• “It really opened my eyes not only to appreciate the
people in my life but also to take advantage of these
opportunities. Who am I to throw away all I have when
these people are thankful for an extra piece of bread?”
• “The most valuable lesson for me was I realized how much
I have. It's one thing to say I have a lot, but it was another
thing to see so many people with literally nothing.”
• “There were so many people, and it broke my heart to see
how little they had. They depend on this one place for
everything.”
17. Off the coast there once was a farm in Fairfield, Maine.
During the late 1800s it became Good Will-Hinckley,
a place with a mission "to provide a home and
helping hand for young people and families."
18. Recently things
have changed. This
"home to youth
facing complex
academic, social,
behavioral, and
emotional
challenges" recently
became MeANS . . .
21. Dedicated faculty and staff now work with and learn
from one another to make their experiences that
much more rewarding and sustainable,
four days a week, all year long.
22. At the L. C. Bates museum, Deborah Staber,
curator, still shares the unique qualities of the
"coolest" place on campus.
23. Students now go to school and present their
learning through performances and projects.
24. Gilford, Hall, Bancroft, and Pike Cottages still house boarding
students in the small, family settings George Walter Hinckley
envisioned as "a home and helping hand for young people."
29. Reflections
• “At the beginning, I did not have any expectations for what the day
would be like. I was solely curious about each and every one of the
kids’ stories.”
• “To my surprise, they were just kids and easy to keep up
conversations.”
• “These kids are genuinely nice people, and they deserve a second
chance so they can have a shot at a bright future.”
• “Getting to know the students was extremely interesting because I
learned about what school was like at Good-Will Hinckley for them.
The student life is a lot different here than at New Hampton
School.”
• “Even though we were outsiders and complete strangers, I felt the
girls were really inclusive of us,. What caught me by surprise was
they didn't expect us to help clean up after dinner.”
48. Kids Helping Kids 2013
If so, join us for some smiling after a week of hard work
and lessons learned. Join us next year for Project Week 2014!
49. Lasting Reflections
• “We did a lot of bonding with the group."
• “Overall on this trip I learned to be accepting and less judgmental. I learned
it is important to help . . . I also learned the kids here at the school are just
like us, and embracing them and accepting them is all they need.”
50. Lasting Reflections
“It
made
me
feel
good
that
people
trust
me
enough
and
can
rely
on
me
to
carry
them
somewhere.
It
taught
me
sometimes
we
can
count
on
our
friends
if
we
need
help.”
51. Lasting Reflections
• “It was an amazing learning
experience, and it really made
me appreciate everything I have.
The whole time we were at
dinner, I couldn't stop thinking
about how I shamelessly ordered
steak tips while someone in
Portland is struggling to afford a
piece of bread. After this week I
will always keep in mind when I
think I have it bad, someone else
out there has it much worse.”
52. Lasting Reflections
“Prior to this I had a
preconceived opinion about
Maine. I thought everyone was
rich and there was no way
there would be poor people
needing food the way they did.
As soon as we arrived I quickly
realized I was wrong.”
53. Lasting Reflections
“We met as a group and
discussed the contrast in
the way students learn
and present at Good-Will
Hinckley compared to
New Hampton.
After our
dinner we had a final
meeting and discussed
the differences in our
dinners the first and
second night. We also
opened discussion about
what we believe the
school needs to do to
improve and how we
could help.”
54. Lasting Reflections
• This brought me much joy because we were helping students
express themselves and come out of their shells. During all of this,
we realized the Good Will-Hinckley students were similar, in many
ways, to us. I really enjoyed hearing all of the talent and music that
was shared, and I really hope to participate in the festivities again.”
