Welcome to Seeds of Hope Center

Welcome to
Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center!

Mission

Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center partners with our local communities and neighbors to find solutions to poverty and to promote personal growth.

Our Values

Compassion – We engage our neighbors with empathy and kindness.

Inclusion – We ensure that our programs and services are low-barrier, with access being uncomplicated and welcoming.

Relationship – We strive to cultivate meaningful and respectful connections with our neighbors and partners.

Equity – We tailor our resources and services to meet individual needs.

Integrity – We commit to transparency and accountability in our operations and services.

Collaboration – We actively seek partners to provide the highest level of assistance to our neighbors and to ensure strong stewardship of our resources.

Vision

Seeds of Hope neighbors will feel a sense of belonging and experience their highest level of independence.

Welcome To SEEDS OF HOPE

In Biddeford, Maine

The Drop-In Center is a welcoming space with trained volunteers who respond to the needs of our “neighbors” with compassionate care.

We are a place to “hang out” with friends, share a meal, seek help in finding employment, and accessing a variety of resources, both onsite and through referral.

Our 2021 Reach

During normal operations we serve meals to 60-80 people/day to 250+ unique individuals and offer a wide range of in-person services. In 2021 we tracked our services as follows:

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Meals served

to 230 new individuals and a total of 400+ unique individuals

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Individuals assisted

with with housing-related/homeless supports, employment services, and accessing health & government services (MaineCare, SNAP, unemployment, etc.)

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Holiday Assistance Impact to Individuals

30 Thanksgiving baskets, 136 children who received gifts from our Holiday Market, 45 adult stockings with winter gloves, hats, personal care products.

We Need Your Help!

Small non-profits depend on businesses, foundations, and individuals to contribute to our mission by volunteering, donating clothing and household goods, and making financial contributions. If you would like to donate seasonal clothing and/or household goods, personal care items or camping equipment, please call 571-9601 and ask for our Assistant Director, Vassie. She will review our needs and arrange for you to drop them off.

As is the case with most non-profits, our primary need is raising the funds to sustain our programs, maintain the physical plant and support our qualified staff and volunteers. If you’re interested in making a financial contribution, please click the Donate button.

Donate Now

Our Services

All of the services provided at Seeds of Hope are a direct result of listening to our neighbors and responding or seeking partnerships in order to meet those needs. Our overarching desire is that our neighbors achieve their highest level of independence and experience a sense of belonging.

Drop-In Center

The Drop-In Center is a warm comfortable space with trained volunteers who respond to the needs of those using the center.

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Support Center

Assisting with employment search and preparation; accessing online government services and housing resources; referral to support services.

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Health Promotion and Education

We are partnering with Nasson Health Care, Frannie Peabody Center, Biddeford Police Department's Substance Use Disorder and Community Outreach staff, University of New England to offer Hep A & B vaccines, flu vaccines, Hep C & HIV testing and referral,

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Advocacy

Convene and facilitate Homeless Initiative Task Force, a collaboration of social service organizations and city leaders to address causes and needs of the homeless, including operating an Overnight Warming Center during extreme winter weather.

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SOH Join SEEDS OF HOPE

We are looking for mature, positive volunteers to staff the drop-in center functions (open Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) of the Neighborhood Center. Successful volunteers will be comfortable meeting a diversity of individuals, willing to build supportive and encouraging relationships, preparing continental breakfast/lunch buffet and serving those who enter the center for assistance or companionship.

VOLUNTEER!

Upcoming Events

Seeds of Hope combines its friend-raising and fundraising activities to help educate our supporters about our work and the lives they are helping to support, and to allow us to show our gratitude for all they ways they have become partners in our mission. Please join us at one of our Events and join our family of supporters.

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Latest News

Click to learn more about our activities and our impact in the community.

2021 Grant Winner! Thank you.

By Admin2020
April 5, 2021

Seeds of Hope is honored to announce that we came in 2nd place for York County in the Bangor Savings Community Matters...

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News story – A Firm Foundation for Seeds of Hope

By Admin2020
March 23, 2021

As Christ Episcopal Church was preparing to end as a worshiping community a decision had to be made about the use of...

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Non-Profit of the Year award

By Admin2020
January 21, 2021

We're delighted to let you know that Seeds of Hope was one of six local organizations recognized recently with awards during the...

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Staff Biographies

Rev. Shirley Bowen

Shirley brings 39 years of experience in administration, strategic planning, programming, facility & risk management, hiring & supervision, budget management, community outreach and pastoral care. She is a founding member of the team that created the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center and has a strong passion for helping to improve the lives of our neighbors.

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Vassie Fowler

Vassie Fowler is a long-time Biddeford resident who’s been active in helping the community find resources, information, and partnerships through volunteering and working with Community Partnerships Protecting Children as well as York County Community Action.

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Linda Edgerton

Development Associate

Linda Edgerton is happiest when combining meeting new people, and building relationships, with sharing a nonprofit’s compelling mission.

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Dannielle Gladu

Support Specialist

Dannielle grew up in Portland, Maine attending Catherine McCauley high school. She developed a passion for volunteering in her community, including receiving the Community Service Award for Most Service hours completed.

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Neighbor Testimonials

“Coming out of the woods on a cold winter morning you need to have a pick-me-up and to have a good place to do so, a safe place and wonderful people. It’s a great place to start over and pick up; it’s like, if you don’t know what to do or where to go there are people here to help you, or at least point you in the right direction…. Get you off your feet, get you feeling better about life.... To get somebody who doesn’t know me and only knows what I’m saying and sees me crying in front of them… its amazing. I don’t know how they’re able to shut their personal stuff off and come here to help us with our issues.”

Aaron

“You give us such hope. I can come in for breakfast, pick out some clothes for my interview, and in three days I have a resume submitted to businesses and an interview scheduled. You just give us such hope.”

Carla

“Seeds of Hope, it’s a place where you can go and you’re not shunned away. It’s a place where you can go to get counseling, anything…. I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel when I was 15. I was going down a dark path. If it wasn’t for Seeds of Hope, if it wasn’t for In A Pinch, there’s a lot of ladies that I owe a big thanks to, and a lot of gentlemen."

Ricky

When I went to take the test for my recertification, I froze for a moment, questioning whether I could really succeed. But I remembered all the help and encouragement you gave me and then… I remembered who I am.