Rooted in love. 

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EMPOWERING, UNITING, and TRANSFORMING the CITIES of LEWISTON and PORTLAND, MAINE

Our mission is to engage volunteers and neighbors to cultivate social, economic and spiritual wholeness as part of God’s Kingdom.

Green map of Maine with text 'Loving Our Neighbors Since 1984' and tree logo.

BECOME A RC VOLUNTEER!

There are so many ways to love your neighbors.

Join our team and let’s get to work!

RC CHRISTMAS TOY STORE

We need you and your friends to donate NEW TOYS to stock our Neighborhood Christmas Toy Store!

Each year neighbors and volunteers come together to offer a Christmas Store where local families can purchase new gifts for their children at a reduced cost of $2 - $5.

Thanks to many who have given over the years, this has become a local Christmas tradition and many neighborhood families will have a very Merry Christmas!

Items must be NEW and donated/delivered by Friday, December 17th to THE ROOT CELLAR in LEWISTON or The Root Cellar in Portland

If you’d like to shop our Amazon Wish List -click below and the items will be delivered directly to us!

Shop our Amazon Wish List

GOOD NEWS

from our Neighborhoods

Featured
$25,000 in repairs we didn’t plan for… but God is faithful!
$25,000 in repairs we didn’t plan for… but God is faithful!

Through it all, God has been faithful. To be honest, the weight of these unexpected needs has stretched my faith. But the ministry of The Root Cellar doesn’t rest on my faith—it rests on God’s faithfulness and His relentless love for our neighbors. And time and again, that faithfulness is revealed through you.

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Aspiring Writers Share Original Work in English Classes
Aspiring Writers Share Original Work in English Classes

This year our students have worked so hard and accomplished so much in their efforts to learn the English language. We are incredibly proud of each and every one--not just the students whose writing is featured in this issue. We hope that as you read these submissions, you will feel like you are celebrated, because today we want to celebrate you!

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BIG Swing is a BIG Success!
BIG Swing is a BIG Success!
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What a SUPER Summer!
What a SUPER Summer!

Each summer at The Root Cellar, everything get’s bigger, better and - in a word - super! I had a chance to catch up with Alyssa McKay in Lewiston and Dieudonne Karawanga in Portland. They each shared some beautiful insights of how God has been at work in our children and teens - and through so many volunteers! This is all possible because of generous donations from individuals and families - just like you and yours!

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Summer Mission Teams, Foot Washing and Church Partnership
Summer Mission Teams, Foot Washing and Church Partnership

I’m excited to share the story of our partnership with Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA —a collaboration that’s proven to be impactful on the lives of their teens while serving along side our teens in Lewiston. Akash Ahujah shared more about there journey with The Root Cellar on this weeks edition of The Root Cellar Podcast - watch below or click here to listen wherever you get your podcasts!

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The “Path Forward” for General Assistance in Lewiston
The “Path Forward” for General Assistance in Lewiston

The Path Forward (TPF) engages recent immigrants and other neighbors at risk of homelessness in a welcoming community through English language learning and job readiness programming.

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MADNESS on a MOUNTAIN!
MADNESS on a MOUNTAIN!

1 Saturday. 3 Teams. 21 Teens. 101 total Skimo laps. 201 total donations. $36,568 raised for our teens!

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Super Winter in Portland & Lewiston!
Super Winter in Portland & Lewiston!
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English Teacher Conference
English Teacher Conference

Join us for our ELL Teacher Conference on March 28th at The Root Cellar in Portland, from 9 AM to 4 PM! Connect with fellow educators, share a meal, and explore ways to better "love your neighbor” through English Language Learning.

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GRATITUDE instead of UNCERTAINTY
GRATITUDE instead of UNCERTAINTY

A recent pause in federal funding has been extremely challenging for many of the organizations and nonprofits that we collaborate with regularly. This has lead me to reflect and - quite literally - count our blessings.

I wanted to take a moment to make sure we communicate just how important each of you are to the work and ministry of The Root Cellar. God has seen fit show his provision and love for our neighbors through you.

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Celebrating the Hard Work of our Neighbors!
Celebrating the Hard Work of our Neighbors!

In the midst of all of the Christmas festivities, we took some time to honor and celebrate the incredible effort of hundreds of adult English Learners. Each have demonstrated faithful, consisted and diligent attendance and effort as well as hit the benchmark to advance in their understanding of the English language.

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No Gimmicks. Just a Simple Ask.
No Gimmicks. Just a Simple Ask.

Today many worthy nonprofits, ministries and great causes will be working for your attention. Just after black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.

It’s a lot. We get it.

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WELCOMEministries

Our neighborhoods in Lewiston and Portland are home to large, diverse and beautiful communities of refugees and asylum seekers.

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ABUNDANT Food Shares

What if the we could solve food insecurity in our communities by building friendships and sharing life - and food - together?

Through Abundant Food Shares, those in need of food become vested members of a network of households that provide food and friendship with one another.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
Three women packing vegetables, including carrots and eggplants, in a community food distribution setting.

ROOTED Youth Mentoring

Neighborhood youth WORK, PLAY, GROW and GATHER together, discovering the fullness of life through the way of Jesus. We would love to have YOU join us, become a mentor or volunteer!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

We would love to stay in contact with you!

We won’t spam you or sell your email. Promise.