Our Work — Harbor Collective

Our work helps people meet today’s needs while building toward a healthier and more hopeful future.

Through whole-person health support, education, leadership, and shared community spaces, we create opportunities for people and communities to heal, learn, and grow. Together, these efforts strengthen the connections, confidence, and shared capacity that allow communities to thrive.

We Heal

Health is the foundation from which people and communities move forward. Through community health workers, collective healing, and practical navigation, we support physical, mental, and economic wellbeing. Our approach recognizes that healing happens both within individuals and through trusted relationships, shared experiences, and communities caring for one another.

“The programs have not only grown my skills, but [I] found a place, a community to call home.”

– Anonymous

Harbor Whole Health Program

Harbor Whole Health supports physical, mental, and economic wellbeing. Our community health and peer workforce navigator team helps people access health care, employment, public benefits, housing, food, transportation, and other practical resources. We also create opportunities for support and collective healing, recognizing that people heal through trusted relationships and communities caring for one another.

We Learn

Learning opens new possibilities. Our education and leadership programs help young people and adults build knowledge, practical skills, confidence, and a stronger sense of what is possible. Through academic support, civic engagement, experiential learning, and real-world exploration, participants develop the tools to pursue their goals and contribute to their communities.

“Gateway has empowered me with community support, enabling me to be an active participant and give back through volunteering and advocacy.”

– Hussein

Harbor Education & Leadership Program

Harbor Education and Leadership helps young people build the knowledge, confidence, and relationships they need to shape their futures. Through academic support, civic engagement, environmental and outdoor learning, mentorship, and hands-on experiences, participants strengthen leadership and real-world skills. As this work grows, we are deepening our focus on math, literacy, and learning experiences that connect young people with new possibilities.

We Grow

Growth happens when people have opportunities to put their strengths into action. We create pathways for people to build relationships, explore new experiences, develop as leaders, and shape the decisions that affect their lives. As individuals and families grow, they help build connected, resilient communities with a brighter horizon ahead.

“Gateway has provided access to shared spaces, networks and support systems that helped me find my passion in the community and access points to professional endeavors.”

– Mohamed

The Harbor Hub Program

The Harbor Hub is both a physical gathering place and a growing digital space where people can connect, learn, find trusted information, and access support. Our community spaces host cultural gatherings, wellness programs, youth activities, educational events, and partner services. Through accessible digital resources and communication tools, the Hub also helps people find timely information, learn about programs, and stay connected wherever they are. Together, these physical and digital spaces provide shared community infrastructure where people can heal, learn, and grow.

Testimonials

Gateway Community Service has been a crucial component in the success of our community. It has not only been a platform for youth to share their experiences but a safe haven for many that don’t feel like they belong—Gateway has become their home. Thank to everyone at Gateway for providing us a space where we can cultivate friendship and find our voices within the community.
EKHLAS AHMED

Teacher at Westbrook High School, Co-Founder of Darfur Youth of Tomorrow
Gateway in just a couple short years has become an integral and invaluable resource to the immigrant, refugee, asylum seeker, and asylee communities. It provides valuable professional mental health services, but it has now become a community hub that brings communities together for celebrations, meals, and community organizing. Gateway was critical in collecting and organizing donations for the asylum seekers at the Expo Center this summer, and it brought community leaders to organize delivery of services to the asylum seekers. Gateway is on its path to becoming a welcome center so needed in our community. It is teaching immigrants to drive through its driver’s ed program in several languages, it offers after school homework help for the large multicultural student populations and it offers youth arts and leadership programs. I am inspired for the staff to grow their programs and support the vast multicultural communities in Greater Portland.
TAE CHONG

Portland City Councilor-Elect for District 3, Manager of Social Enterprise, Workforce Development at Catholic Charities of Maine
The Somali Community Center of Maine (SCCM) wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to the Gateway Community Services for its continuing support of our programs and activities. Over the past 3 years, Gateway hosted numerous community events, sponsored activities and youth programs, and made financial contributions to our organization. The SCCM wishes the Gateway Community Services’ continued success in the future.
DEQA DHALAC

City Councilor of South Portland, Co-Founder of Cross Cultural Consulting Group, Program Manager at Center for Grieving Children, Board Member of the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition