Welcome CHEETA Project!

The CHEETA Project is up and running starting new Projects in Kennedy Park, Sagamore Village, Riverton Park, and Front Street this summer in addition. They have a lot of cool stuff going on in the neighborhoods. Check them out!
The Portland Housing Authority is very happy to have taken this excellent program under it's wing to ensure it's sustainability and success in our communities. Now you can sign up to volunteer for the study centers AND the CHEETA project through one application!
The Portland Housing Authority is very happy to have taken this excellent program under it's wing to ensure it's sustainability and success in our communities. Now you can sign up to volunteer for the study centers AND the CHEETA project through one application!
Emily Mancini-Fitch - Portland Housing Authority Resident Services manager

Emily with youth in the Sagamore Study Center
Emily Mancini-Fitch is the Resident Services Manager of the Portland Housing Authority. Formerly a two-term AmeriCorps State and National member at the Portland Housing Authority Sagamore Village Education Center and Riverton Park Study Center Coordinator, She has worked with many organizations to create and expand educational programming for students of all ages residing in and around PHA Public Housing. She has reached out to strengthen the bond between the PHA and the University of Southern Maine, The NAACP, and many other organizations which has allowed them to provide opportunities to hundreds of Portland Housing Authority children and families. Emily also manages the PHA Scholarship program, the CHEETA Project, the free summer meals program, the summer soccer program, the neighborhood service providers, community buildings, and all of the volunteers associated with the programs.
Emily Was recognized for her service and volunteerism at the 2010 Governor’s Service awards with the National Service Volunteer Award for accomplishments during her AmeriCorps terms of service with the GoodWill AmeriCorps Community Resource Corps. Emily loves volunteering and education and plans to continue serving her communities through non-profits, the PHA and whatever future endeavors she takes on.
Emily Was recognized for her service and volunteerism at the 2010 Governor’s Service awards with the National Service Volunteer Award for accomplishments during her AmeriCorps terms of service with the GoodWill AmeriCorps Community Resource Corps. Emily loves volunteering and education and plans to continue serving her communities through non-profits, the PHA and whatever future endeavors she takes on.
Summer Lunch

Portland Housing Authority partners with East End Kids Katering through Opportunity Alliance to provide free, balanced nutrition meals to youth in & around public housing during the summer months. Lunches are provided from
12:00pm - 1:00pm at
12:00pm - 1:00pm at
- Riverton Park Community Room, 2 Riverton Drive
- Sagamore Village Community Room, 21 Popham Street
- Kennedy Park Community Room, 58 Boyd Street
- Front Street Community room, 34 West Presumpscot Street
Summer Soccer

Global Premier Soccer and the Portland Housing Authority team up to offer a daily afternoon soccer program for youth of all ages. The practices are held at Fox Street field and Sagamore Village from June 29th 2015 through August 20th 2015.
Monday through Friday at
Fox Street Field - 2pm - 4pm
Serving youth from Kennedy Park, East Bayside, Front Street, and the surrounding areas
Sagamore Field - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Serving youth from Sagamore Village, Riverton Park, and the surrounding areas
Monday through Friday at
Fox Street Field - 2pm - 4pm
Serving youth from Kennedy Park, East Bayside, Front Street, and the surrounding areas
Sagamore Field - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Serving youth from Sagamore Village, Riverton Park, and the surrounding areas
December 2015 - Notes from Emily
Study Center coordinators have been hard at work this autumn setting up centers, knocking on doors, and practicing their Algebra. It has all paid off and the centers are thriving!
Our AmeriCorps members have been rolling out the new Check & Connect Mentoring Program which will hopefully help a ton of students engage and invest in their futures. Implementing new programs can be tricky and it has not gone without a few bumps in the road but we are optimistic that it will only get better as relationships grow.
I was thrilled to hear in October about student's ideas for an MLK project which is now underway and I am SO excited! I dare say this could be even cooler than the quilt we made last year. We have a really strong team on board doing great things in the communities.
As always, if you are interested in joining our team, we are always looking for volunteers to help with homework, support adult learners, and bring a creative flair to our fun Fridays.
Until next time,
-Emily
Our AmeriCorps members have been rolling out the new Check & Connect Mentoring Program which will hopefully help a ton of students engage and invest in their futures. Implementing new programs can be tricky and it has not gone without a few bumps in the road but we are optimistic that it will only get better as relationships grow.
I was thrilled to hear in October about student's ideas for an MLK project which is now underway and I am SO excited! I dare say this could be even cooler than the quilt we made last year. We have a really strong team on board doing great things in the communities.
As always, if you are interested in joining our team, we are always looking for volunteers to help with homework, support adult learners, and bring a creative flair to our fun Fridays.
Until next time,
-Emily
Alex Belliveau - KENNEDY PARK STUDY CENTER
PHA Part time Youth Programming Staff

Alex is in his first year working at the Kennedy Park study center. He moved up to Portland this year after living and teaching marine science aboard the tall ship The American Pride. He also has experience working with preschoolers in the area at The Children's House daycare as a primary teacher. In school, at the University of Maine at Orono, he majored in English with a creative focus in poetry as well as a minor in Earth Sciences.
Alex knows this year is going to be full of enriching experience as he becomes more involved in the community.
We Are Open!
Alex knows this year is going to be full of enriching experience as he becomes more involved in the community.
We Are Open!
Megan Hughes - Kennedy PARK STUDY CENTER
GoodWill AmeriCorps Multilingual Leadership Corps CHECK & CONNECT MENTORING COORDINATOR

Megan is serving her first year as the Check & Connect Mentoring Coordinator for the Kennedy Park study center. She recently moved from North Carolina where she has taught in both preschool and elementary schools. She received her Bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in History and Classical Studies but quickly realized that her heart was working with children and is extremely excited to continue this with the Kennedy Park Community.
Megan is more than excited to explore not only Maine but to become a part of the Kennedy Park community and looks forward to the year to come!
Megan is more than excited to explore not only Maine but to become a part of the Kennedy Park community and looks forward to the year to come!
Solomon Nkhalamba- Riverton Park Study Center
PHA Part time YOUTH PROGRAMMING STAFF

Solomon is serving his first season as a part time Portland Housing Authority Youth Programming staff in the Riverton Park Study Center. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine from where he obtained a Masters in Public policy and management in addition to a Graduate Certificate in Applied Research and Evaluation Methods. Solomon also holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and an Associate's of Business Administration and Management from University of Maine and Southern Maine Community College respectively. Throughout his college studies Solomon worked as a Statistics, Algebra, and computer tutor. He is committed to community service; he has volunteered as a 4-H camp counselor, big brother big sister mentor, and tutor. Back in his native country of Malawi, he is a coordinator for the charity organization, School of HOPE that provides 200 elementary school children with school supplies and mentoring service. Additionally, he volunteers with Go! Malawi and Samba International organizations that work on educational programs in rural Malawi. Solomon's commitment to service led to his recognition as the recipient of the Dean's award for the Muskie School of Public Service's class of 2015. During his spare time, he likes reading, poetry, biking, playing soccer and running. Solomon is very excited to work with youth and adult residents of Riverton Park and surrounding areas.
Abdullahi Sharif-Isaack- Riverton Park Study Center
GOODWILL AMERICORPS MULTILINGUAL LEADERSHIP CORPS Check & Connect Mentoring Coordinator

Mr. Sharif-Isaack is serving his first term as the AmeriCorps Academic Engagement Specialist in the Riverton Park Study Center. Before his current service, he served a 300 hour AmeriCorps term in Riverton coordinating summer programming. He grew up in the community and is well known. As a young man, Mr. Sharif-Isaack was an active member of the Study Center program. He is a founding member of the CHEETA project. He volunteered in several of Portland Housing Authority programs like the Summer Soccer and lunch programs. He currently studies Computer Technology at Southern Maine Community College.
Community Financial Literacy
Community Financial Literacy (CFL) strives to enhance the lives of refugee and immigrant communities in Maine by teaching them financial literacy skills for a better future. They are a resource to community members seeking financial guidance and services. The CFL office is located at 102-104 Riverton Drive. Contact Claude Rwaganje or call 797-7890 for more information.
LearningWorks Teen Trend Setters
The Teen Trend Setters program is a youth literacy & mentorship program in Riverton Park that operates out of 102/104 Riverton Drive from September through May. Contact Teyonda Hall <[email protected]> 207.775.0105 Ext. 165
Silviano Seneca - Sagamore Village Study Center
GoodWill AmeriCorps Multilingual Leadership Corps CHECK & CONNECT MENTORING COORDINATOR

Sil grew up in the Sagamore neighborhood and has a serious passion for community engagement and support. As a social work student, Sil gained valuable knowledge and resources that he has brought back to the neighborhood he loves. His caring for the neighborhood and it's residents is palpable.
Sil's outstanding dedication to the community was acknowledged at the
2015 Governor's service awards with the
National Service Volunteer Award.
Sil is returning for a second AmeriCorps term with the Goodwill Multilingual Leadership Corps to continue his work in the Sagamore Community.
Sil's outstanding dedication to the community was acknowledged at the
2015 Governor's service awards with the
National Service Volunteer Award.
Sil is returning for a second AmeriCorps term with the Goodwill Multilingual Leadership Corps to continue his work in the Sagamore Community.
Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) Scholarships - Due January 28, 2013In order to encourage academic excellence and community responsibility among high school students, PHADA has implemented a scholarship program for graduating seniors who are preparing to enter college. PHADA will award three (3) scholarships to deserving youth currently residing in a PHADA member agency.
Stephen J. Bollinger Memorial Scholarship (One scholarship available: $7,000.00) Freedom & Civil Rights Scholarship (One scholarship available: $5000.00) SACS Software/Scott Accounting & Compuer Services, Inc. Scholarship (One scholarship available: $5000.00) |
Summer Soccer![]() Soccer Maine and the Portland Housing Authority team up to offer a daily morning soccer program for youth of all ages. The practices are held at Fox Street field from the end of school until mid August.
10am to 12pm Monday through Friday Fox Street Field - Serving youth from Kennedy Park, East Bayside, Front Street, and the surrounding areas ![]()
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Summer Lunch![]() Portland Housing Authority partners with East End Kids Katering to provide free, balanced nutrition meals to youth in public housing during the summer months. Lunches are provided at
Riverton Park Community Room 12:00pm - 1:00pm Sagamore Village Community Room 12:00pm - 1:00pm Kennedy Park Community Room 12:00pm - 1:00pm Front Street Community room 11:30am - 12:30pm ![]()
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Sewing Program
Sewing classes are resuming at 102/104 Riverton Drive on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3pm. Back by popular demand, professional sewing classes will be offered to help residents develop marketable skills.
Aserela Maine
Aserela Maine's office is located in the Community building of Front Street (32 W. Presumpscot St.). For more information about their programs, contact Alfred Jacob
Women’s Physical Activity Program of Riverton Park
The City of Portland Public Health Minority Health Program, Healthy Portland, Maine Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Cultivating Community, and individual collaborators work together to offer Zumba classes every Saturday, physical activity video instruction viewing and follow-up on Tuesdays and Thursdays, cooking demos, social networking and sharing, and fresh fruits and produce delivery on Saturdays. Contact Asha Suldan at 344-5056 for details.
Summer Soccer
10am to 12pm Monday through Friday
Riverton Elementary School Field - Serving youth from Riverton Park and the Riverton neighborhood
Fox Street Field - Serving youth from Kennedy Park, East Bayside, Front Street, and the surrounding areas
FREE and open to youth 7-18 years old
close toed shoes are required to play
transportation provided to youth residing in Public Housing
Summer Lunch
The Summer Lunch program is FREE and open to all youth under the age of 18
Riverton Park - 12pm to 1pm at the Riverton Park Community Room - 2 Riverton Drive
Sagamore Village - 12pm to 1pm at the Sagamore Village Community Room - 28 Popham Street
Kennedy Park - 12pm to 1pm at the Kennedy Park Community Room - 58 Boyd Street
Front Street - 11:30 am to 12:30pm at the Front Street Community Room - West Presumpscot Street
10am to 12pm Monday through Friday
Riverton Elementary School Field - Serving youth from Riverton Park and the Riverton neighborhood
Fox Street Field - Serving youth from Kennedy Park, East Bayside, Front Street, and the surrounding areas
FREE and open to youth 7-18 years old
close toed shoes are required to play
transportation provided to youth residing in Public Housing
Summer Lunch
The Summer Lunch program is FREE and open to all youth under the age of 18
Riverton Park - 12pm to 1pm at the Riverton Park Community Room - 2 Riverton Drive
Sagamore Village - 12pm to 1pm at the Sagamore Village Community Room - 28 Popham Street
Kennedy Park - 12pm to 1pm at the Kennedy Park Community Room - 58 Boyd Street
Front Street - 11:30 am to 12:30pm at the Front Street Community Room - West Presumpscot Street
The Nuer Narratives Project
Living with
Peace is a non-profit 501c3 organization that offers cultural enrichment
programs to immigrant youth. Living With Peace is providing Naath language
instruction for children of the Nuer (African) tribe who live in the Greater
Portland area and especially in Riverton Park. Programming is offered Saturdays between the
hours of 12:00pm and 2:00pm in Riverton Park. Contact Christina Feller [email protected] for more information.