The First Parish in Portland, Maine, Unitarian Universalist; 425 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101, 207-773-5747, email office@firstparishportland.org
The First Parish in Portland, Maine, Unitarian Universalist; 425 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101, 207-773-5747, email office@firstparishportland.org
Mission The mission of the Four Directions Development Corporation (FDDC) is to improve the social and economic conditions of the tribal members of the four Maine tribes by investing in affordable housing, tribal business ventures and small and medium size businesses.
Service Market FDDC serves members and families of the four Native American Tribes in Maine: the Passamaquoddy Tribe (representing two reservations), the Penobscot Indian Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians. Most tribal members and territories are concentrated in Aroostook, Penobscot, and Washington counties, some of the state’s poorest and most remote places. Already limited opportunities for home ownership, home improvement, and self-employment in these areas are further constrained by tribal land restrictions and the limited credit histories and low financial literacy of many tribal members.
Goals Four Directions Development Corporation was conceived to respond to the particular credit and information needs of tribal members. Our goals are to:
Philosophy of Loan Programs At its heart, the FDDC is a non-profit revolving loan pool intended for the benefit of tribal members and their families and in which tribal members have a shared interest and responsibility for the success and continuation of the fund. Loan products are offered at the lowest possible costs in order to benefit low and low-to-moderate income borrowers, as defined by applicable Federal guidelines. The program adheres to standards of diligence and accountability appropriate both to the tradition and culture of Native American peoples and the requirements of the global financial community. In short, FDDC seeks to help eligible tribal members not only to access needed capital, but to use that capital effectively in meeting their housing and small business financing goals, and to repay that capital in a timely fashion. This balanced focus is essential in order to build both the credit of individual borrowers and the pool of loan capital available to all Native Americans in Maine.
At this time, FDDC loan products are only available with fixed interest rates for the term of the loan. Loans are priced at a rate sufficiently above the cost of funds to support administrative and servicing expense, educational and development programs, and a contingency for loan losses.
Dedicated to providing comprehensive assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS
Frannie Peabody Center is committed to compassionate care for the community infected with an affected by HIV and AIDS in Maine. The Center helps the community face and fight the realities of the disease by providing prevention educaiton and direct services, including housing, information, education, advocacy, and counseling services. The Center treats the whole person with dignity, care, and compassion.
Fur Cultural Revival
The Fur Cultural Revival is a non-government, non-profit organization committed to broadening the public's awareness of genocide in Darfur, serving the needs of the Darfur community residing in the greater Portland area and preserving the Fur tribal culture.
Our Mission
Since 1985
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland's mission is to eliminate poverty housing in the Greater Portland area. Habitat for Humanity is a people-to-people partnership, drawing prospective Habitat families and communities together with volunteers and resources to build decent, affordable housing for families whose income is above public housing guidelines and who are unable to qualify for conventional mortgages.
Qualified families are given a “hand up”, not a hand out, paying a monthly no-interest mortgage to Habitat. These monies, in turn, go back into building more simple, decent, affordable homes. Habitat is committed to the development and uplifting of families and communities, not only to the construction of houses.
First Parish is part of the Interfaith Build partnership, and was given a plaque (accepted here from Habitat staffers by Phil and Beth Marshall representing First Parish) commemorating that participation.
Supporting the Interfaith Build, Beth created a poster for the Renaissance Gala:
We are an ecumenical community of nine denominations dedicated to the vision of a sustainable, just, and compassionate world.
We serve as a voice and a resource for Maine's congregations, people of faith, and other organizations that share our vision.
Mission:
To provide accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty; and to advocate for solutions to these problems.
Our Mission is to create opportunities and foster dignity through the power of education.
Safe Passage works with the poorest at-risk children of families working in the Guatemala City garbage dump. Within a safe and caring environment, we provide a comprehensive and integrated program that fosters hope, good health, educational achievement, self-sufficiency, self esteem, and confidence.
Our Mission
Youth and Family Outreach creates opportunities that support learning and enhance the quality of life for children, teens, and families in Greater Portland.
