To Our Dear Friends and Partners,
As I have looked back at 2021 and ahead to 2022, I am so excited to be able to share a few stories of hope and peace in the midst of all of the challenges our communities face. Each story breathes new life into broken spaces and demonstrate the love that our Father in heaven has for our neighbors in Portland and Lewiston. Each story is evidence of God's grace in our neighborhoods, made possible because of your generosity. We have been able to meet each challenge of this past year with confidence, knowing that He will supply for our needs and the needs of our neighbors through you.
We are incredibly honored to be partnered with you in this work.
God has used these stories have taught me something new this year. One of the great lessons has been realizing how much God is at work all around us. He is just waiting on us to see it and find our place in the story that He is weaving together.
This is made evident in our new partnership with Amber Lombardi of Mainely Teeth, who is delivering dental care through our Dental Clinic in Portland and to neighborhoods in need all across the state of Maine. I have no doubt this story will bring a "smile" to your face.
CLICK HERE to read more about Mainely Teeth!
Being available to others, creates space for God to act in incredible ways. When a fire destroyed the homes of our neighbors in Lewiston, we saw so many give on an extraordinary level. Funds seemed to come in almost by the hour. Your gifts empowered us to bless the 70+ victims of that tragedy and love them as they began to piece their lives back together. This is a story of God being present through His people in the midst of tragedy. Again, our Father is working through you to love our neighbors.
CLICK HERE to read “Hope in the Midst of Tragedy,” from Alyssa, one of our Coordinators in Lewiston. She shares how your love and generosity impacted so many families in one of there
It’s been a year full of challenges, but each challenge created new opportunities to notice God at work among us.
When our school systems asked us to step up and provide in person learning, we were able to reorganize and provide a safe, teaching environment where more than 80+ students could learn daily in Portland and Lewiston.
Our Summer Day Camps created New Opportunities for Teens in Portland and neighborhood kids Thrived in Lewiston and created new
We also had several significant, capital expenses in each of our buildings this past year, totaling more than $70,000. In Lewiston, we had put off replacing or very brittle, leaky rubber roof for long enough. In Portland, we are replacing 3 of our 5 HVAC units as I write this letter. We have been blessed with the opportunity to purchase a 15 passenger van for each location, deepening our ministry opportunities for youth.
We had a few staff changes this year as well, as well as an open position in Portland. Sean Noe was promoted in Portland to Program Manager. We were able to add Martha Bucher to our staff in Lewiston, strengthening our Learning Hub and Afterschool Mentoring programing. Damon Crouse replaced Zach Nolt in Lewiston, stepping into Lew Crew Lawn Care just in time. Nasser Mohamed joined us as a Cultural Broker, creating new avenues of ministry through translation, English Classes, and community outreach.
Once again, God seems to be at work all around us, bringing us the right people at the right time.
God has always been faithful to this ministry, and He has always done that through your time, prayers and generous financial support.
Will you prayerfully consider making a 2021 year end gift to support our ministry in Portland and Lewiston? Your gift will enable us to confidently approach the next year, as we seek to love our neighbors and seek His Kingdom in our community.
Again - it is an honor to be partnered with you in this work.
Thank you for giving, praying and investing in what God is doing through our ministry.
Grace and Peace,
Joel Furrow, Executive Director
joel@therootcellar.org
Donations can be made using the form to the right. Checks or cash donations may be mailed to either location.
The Root Cellar - 94 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
The Root Cellar - 89 Birch St. Lewiston, ME 04240
Will you prayerfully consider making a 2021 year end gift to support our ministry?
