Dear Friends and Supporters,
Here at the Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS), our intention for 2023 is to contribute to a year of academic, social, and emotional growth for Portland students.
Please take a moment to read about some of our latest efforts.
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The Impact of the Families in Crisis Program
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Families in Crisis is a program that helps PPS families with emergency needs such as rent, utilities, medical costs, transportation, or critical supplies. It’s a great example of neighbors helping neighbors. Although we do get grants to fund this program, it wouldn’t be possible without your support—thank you!
Any family in the district is potentially eligible for up to $1,000 a year of support if at least one member of the household is a PPS student (PreK - Adult Ed) and the family is unable to pay their bills.
Impact of the Families in Crisis Program so far this school year:
- 106 payments made
- $46,448 paid directly to creditors (landlords, utility companies, etc.)
- 282 people received help
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For more information, contact your school social worker, a PPS Family Community Engagement Specialist, or FPPS.
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Seeking Winter Gear Donations
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Many students in our schools need coats, hats, gloves, boots, and warm socks. Schools will accept new or used gear in excellent or very good condition in all sizes, including adults!
Please consider dropping a donation off at your child’s school if you can.
We have specific requests from these schools:
- Deering High School: Adults' winter coats sizes medium, large, and extra large; waterproof mittens/gloves
- Portland High School: Adults' winter coats of all sizes
- Lyman Moore Middle School: Children's winter coats sizes large and extra large; adults' winter coats sizes small and medium
- East End Community School: Children's boots/sneakers sizes 6, 7, 8
- Talbot Community School: Children's winter coats sizes 8-10,10-12,12-14; children's snow pants sizes 5/6,14/16; children's boots; children's waterproof mittens/gloves sizes 4,12, and L/XL
If your child's school is missing from this list, please get in touch with your school directly about their needs. Thank you!
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The Power of Business and School Partnerships
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We know that students do better when their community is engaged in schools. Business partners not only help students and teachers, they are also working to support and develop their future employees!
Benchmark Real Estate and EnviroLogix are two long-time supporters of Portland students via FPPS. Here’s what they have to say about why they give:
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A huge thanks to the following businesses that have donated this fall or winter to date:
- L.L. Bean
- East Brown Cow, Inc.
- Flaherty’s Financial Services
- Prosperity Maine
- Strategic Media, Inc.
- Maine Audubon
- Gateway Community Services
- Gorham Savings Bank
If you do business in Greater Portland and are interested in partnering with FPPS, please get in touch with us at info@foundationforpps.org or call 207-842-4658.
Check out our full list of recent business partners here.
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- Congratulations to Portland Empowered’s Civic and Community Engagement Fellowship graduates! Read more about their work and learning here, and see pictures from the event here.
- The Rising Tide Awards, one of FPPS’s managed funds, expanded this year to support five current PPS high school students to attend pre-college summer program experiences. Read about these remarkable youth here.
- Save the Date for Spring for Teachers 2023: Tuesday, May 9th at 5:30 pm at Bunker Brewing Co.
- Calling Volunteers: We could use a few additional volunteers to help with our Spring for Teachers event. If you’re interested in helping to plan the event or volunteering at the event itself, please contact us at info@foundationforpps.org or call 207-842-4658. Thanks!
Thank you all for your part in our community support of Portland youth!
Andi Weisman Summers, Executive Director
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