Lewiston-Auburn Area Support Resources

Please see our Philanthropic statement in response to the mass shooting in Lewiston

As we begin to grapple with the devastation that was inflicted upon the Lewiston-Auburn community, MPC is committed to gathering resources to mobilize our network. These resources, divided into three categories, are meant to share:

• Pooled Fund Opportunities: how Maine institution and individuals are coming together to respond
• How to guide your philanthropic response: ways philanthropy can move resources and support communities during this time
• How to support yourself, your people, and your community: a mix of resources meant to support community members and individuals in your organization to access resources to recover, process and heal from mass violence

Where to pool philanthropic resources

This resource is developing and more will be added as we hear of response and support opportunities.  

• Maine Community Foundation's Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund will be directly supporting victims and families impacted by the shootings. 
   
• United Way of Androscoggin County's Community Fund: The UWAC is the United Way in Maine that covers the Lewiston region. This fund will support community partners including 211 Maine and others providing mental health services, crisis support, and additional critical needs.
   
• Red Cross of Central Maine & the Red Cross of Southern Maine are sending resources to the region for immediate response, including licensed mental health care, condolence care and counseling, and other critical supports. 
   
• LA Metro Chamber Foundation - All donations will be collected and shared with organizations responding to the greatest need and supporting EMS workers. Specify Foundation in the drop-down after entering your contact information on the second page.
   
• The Campaign for Ending Hunger is directing some of its funds to the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s 501(c)(3) Foundation. Monies raised through this effort will be used to feed first responders and other community organizations helping to get food in the hands of those in need.
   
• The City of Lewiston has established the City of Lewiston Families and Victims Fund. Cash donations are being accepted at Androscoggin Bank locations as well.
   
• The Central Maine Medical Center Compassionate Care Fund for Trauma Response and Support has been established after the Lewiston mass shooting tragedy.
  • The fund will enhance:
    • Emotional and behavioral health support services to ensure CMMC doctors, nurses and caregivers receive healing resources for recovery after a traumatic event
    • Emotional and behavioral health support services to ensure patients, families and communities receive healing resources for recovery after a traumatic event
    • Trauma care for patients without the ability to pay
    • Training and education for pre-hospital and hospital personnel dedicated to caring for trauma victims and their families
    • Trauma care rooms and facilities, including the emergency department, operating rooms, and critical care units
    • Investments in new technology and equipment used for rapid diagnosis and treatment of trauma patients
    • Securing and maintaining adequate supplies and equipment dedicated to responding to mass casualty incidents

How to guide your philanthropic response

• Ford Family Foundation's "Community response in the first 72 hours" [PDF]
• Council on Foundation's "Philanthropy's Response to Gun Violence and Mass Shootings": Gun violence is a constant threat to communities across the United States. While mass shootings capture media attention and public outrage, gun violence is a specter over many Americans' daily lives. Funders across the country have been called to action to address gun violence and mass shootings, sometimes in their own geography or where they have staff or nonprofit partners. This resource page will be frequently updated to reflect new guidance and efforts foundations are undertaking in this area. 
• Community Vitality Article: "When a tragedy hits, a community responds"

How to support yourself, your organizations, and your communities

These are resources that might help you, your staff, and community members as they process and heal from this tragedy. The Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) has also created a resource page on this topic. 

• "Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting"
• Office of for Victim of Crime's "Vicarious Trauma Toolkit": It takes courage to help child and adult victims of sexual abuse, assist survivors of acts of terrorism and mass violence, fight fires that may have taken people's lives, or respond to shootings and other crime scenes. It also takes commitment to do this work despite the personal, physical, emotional, and mental impact it can have. The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit (VTT) was developed on the premise that exposure to the traumatic experiences of other people—known as vicarious trauma—is an inevitable occupational challenge for the fields of victim services, emergency medical services, fire services, law enforcement, and other allied professionals; however, organizations can mitigate the potentially negative effects of trauma exposure by becoming vicarious trauma-informed.
• The Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime's "Supporting Communities after Mass Violence Incidents"
• APA resources for coping with mass shootings, understanding gun violence
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Association's (SAMSA) Restoring a Sense of Safety in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting: Tips for Parents and Professionals
• Crisis Hotline Information:
  • CRISIS LINE: 1-888-568-1112, If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the crisis line to speak with a trained crisis clinician 24/7. Our Mobile Crisis Team operates 24/7 and can respond to meet the need wherever individuals or families are at.
  • INTENTIONAL WARM LINE: 1-866-771-9276, Our 24/7 mental health peer-to-peer phone support line for adults, aged 18 and older, offers free mutual conversations with a trained peer specialist who has lived experience with mental health recovery.
  • TEEN TEXT SUPPORT LINE: 207-515-8398
    Available from NAMI Maine every day from 12pm - 10pm for youth 13 - 24 years old.
• National Childhood Traumatic Stress Assocation Resources [PDF]: a list of resources to help children, families and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing in the media, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together.