community spaces
food services
commonspace’s food services program actively responds to the food- and hunger-related needs of individuals in the communities in which we exist. the impact of our food services goes well beyond the critical value of providing food to those experiencing hunger, as our team also brings connection, compassion, celebration, and opportunities for employment positions to the poverty-impacted adults with whom we are privileged to share our resources.
emergency shelters
commonspace works with the communities and people with whom we engage to understand and resolve unmet needs. over time, this has included the provision of temporary, emergency shelter. currently, commonspace provides emergency overnight family shelter for asylum seeking families in Portland (where the families receive hot, culturally appropriate meals from our food services team). This coming winter, we will be providing emergency overnight shelter to individuals in need in Bath.
harm reduction
commonspace embraces harm reduction as a public health-informed best practice for engagement across all of our programs. we offer an array of harm reduction-guided resources to our communities. currently, this includes the distribution of supplies and the provision of education, drug testing, and compassionate care through our syringe service program at the Perry Center in Portland, and through the work of our harm reduction outreach specialists in Greater Portland and the mid-coast.
community re-entry: Cumberland County Jail
commonspace connects with people incarcerated at the Cumberland County Jail, providing vital human connection, recovery coaching, groups, recovery housing, and support for individuals re-entering the community upon their release. in partnership with Cumberland County and multiple providers, this work aims to address inequities related to housing and treatment, and other factors that result in cycles of incarceration.
