Food Pantries
Reiche School Food Closet
Our Reiche School Resource Closet is dedicated to supporting students by providing essential items to help them feel comfortable and prepared for each school day. We offer everyday clothing, shoes, winter gear, and bathing suits for swim classes, as well as necessities like lunchboxes, water bottles, socks, and backpacks. Last year alone, we fulfilled over 300 student resource requests, ensuring that every child has what they need to thrive at school.
Our closet is currently maintained by the Reiche Student Success Coordinator and Mckinney-Vento Social Worker Anne Schneider: schnean@portlandschools.org
Maine Health
950 Congress Street, Portland - Thursdays 10:00AM-3:00PM
(207)662-8842
St. Luke’s Food Pantry
134 Park Street, Portland - Thursday 9:00AM - 11:00AM
*Language Services Available
(207) 772 - 5434
Sacred Heart Food Pantry
80 Sherman Street, Portland - Tuesday 8:00AM - 11:00AM
(207) 773 - 7746
Wayside Mobile Food Pantry at West End
17 Carleton Street, Portland
Third Wednesday of each month 11:00AM
(207) 775 - 4939
We harness the power of community by partnering with public schools and agencies in Cumberland County to connect more 2,500 children at risk of hunger with the nutrition they need to grow, learn, and thrive.
Warehouse:
111 Wescott Road
South Portland, ME 04106
Parking and entrance are at the back of the building.
Email: info@mainelockerproject.org
Phone: (207) 899-9540
After School
Girl Scouts of Maine
Gretchen Phoenix - Community Engagement Specialist - 888-922-4763
Side X Side
Side x Side is a Portland, Maine–based nonprofit organization that is driven to help students and teachers connect to what they are learning and to themselves, helping them to feel engaged, confident, and an integral part of their community. We provide creative, dynamic, arts-integrated classroom programming and professional development. They offer after school classes, vacation week classes, and summer camp.
A Company of Girls
The mission of A Company of Girls+ is to strengthen and empower youth and their families and foster community through the arts.
Through experiences in theater, as well as visual and culinary arts, ACOG+ youth cultivate their self-confidence, build resiliency, and create a community of respect and acceptance where uniqueness is celebrated and creativity thrives.
Rippleffect
Rippleffect is a non-profit youth and community development organization, serving over 4,000 youth annually. Our mission is to promote youth development and leadership through adventure, healthy communities and living sustainably. We believe that hands-on adventure education is fundamental to healthy development of citizens and communities. Our students build confidence, develop critical leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and grow their appreciation for the outdoors through exploration of Cow Island, the waters of Casco Bay, and the wilderness of New England.
More information can be found about their school-year program offerings here: School Year Program Overview — Rippleffect
https://www.rippleffectmaine.org/
Boys and Girls Club
After School and Summer Programs at The Portland Clubhouse has offered after-school programs for children ages 7-18 since 1909. The Clubhouse provides a safe environment for youth to spend their out of school time. Members can enjoy the learning center for homework assistance, the art room to be creative, get active in the Club's gymnasium, cool off in the swimming pool and enjoy a nutritious snack or meal every day.
Learning Works
LearningWorks AfterSchool (LWAS) provides free, high-quality after-school and summer programs for students in grades Pre-K-5 who are academically performing below or partially below grade level and may not have the resources to access a paid after-school enrichment or tutoring program. Our primary focus is academic enrichment through project-based, hands-on, and engaging curriculum. We involve our students in a innovative blend of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and literacy activities to help improve each child’s academic standing in a safe and supportive environment. Transportation and a healthy snack are also provided.
https://www.learningworks.me/our-programs/learningworks-afterschool-summer/
Love Lab Studio
Love Lab Studio is a children’s art studio located just down the street from Reiche School. At the core they believe that art, creativity and joy are necessary as tools for co-creating a better world for all. Their studio was born as a social art project designed to serve + sustain itself. They place children, with so much respect and care, at the center of all they do. Their teachers put together this list, and will continue to edit and evolve it.
* The whole child: social & emotional development and inclusion within a caring, evolving community
* The child as communicator: language development through participation, listening, expression of all kinds
* The child as co-creator: project-based, hands-on, and individual learning through collective belonging
* The child as artist: centering arts, creativity + imagination in all we do
* The child as informed citizen: community member, listened to, global & ecological participant
Community Care
Community Circle
Community Circle is a new PTO subcommittee dedicated to increasing community and neighborhood connection for all Reiche families. In addition, this committee will focus on supporting and welcoming immigrant families and New Mainers in our school community. Our goal is to strengthen ties, build trust, and increase lines of open communication by offering resources, outreach, and opportunities for meaningful connection. We will collaborate with other Portland Public School PTOs and local organizations to expand our impact and pool resources.
Some of our ideas include hosting community events—such as sponsored playdates, family “happy hours” with kids’ programming, and other gatherings—that create spaces for families to connect, engage, and build strong relationships. Ultimately, Community Circle seeks to shepherd community support through intentional outreach and engagement, ensuring every family feels included, valued, and supported.
Please reach out to Anna Paschal (413) 320-7335 anna.w.paschal@gmail.com or Whitney Hogan whitney.hogan@gmail.com (612) 750-0268 if you are interested in learning more or assisting in these efforts!
Reiche What’s App Group
Portland Adult Education - English Learning
Portland Adult Education currently teaches over 1,800 immigrants and refugees from over 60 countries around the world.Our ESOL program (English for Speakers of Other Languages) helps students improve their English reading, writing, grammar and life skills.ESOL classes also help students prepare for employment and continuing education.
New students must come for an intake to ensure proper placement in the correct level. Appointments are offered throughout the school year.
Parenting with Lev
Reiche Parent Lev Leviter is a Certified Peaceful Parenting Coach and is available to support our families. They have particular expertise in the following areas: keeping your cool when your kids push your buttons; navigating a child's gender journey; easing tantrums and meltdowns; resolving sibling, co-parent, and extended family conflict. Their style is warm and affirming, informed by their 10+ years of experience as a conflict mediator and coach, facilitator, and full-time parent to two young kiddos.
https://www.peacefulparenthappykids.com/coaching/lev-leviter
PRESENTE! Maine
Presente! Maine is a grassroots, mutual aid organization by and for displaced and dispossessed Afro/Indigenous-Latines in Maine. Their mission is to: With our community, we codesign and implement survival programs that proactively address our most urgent public health, climate, and human rights struggles, while also working within systems of power to create a more equitable, joyful, and resilient future.
https://www.presentemaine.org/
Portland Public Library
Enriching our Diverse Community. Advancing Literacy.
Portland Public Library (PPL) offers free access to shared materials and information for all community members. Serving as the City’s cultural center since 1867, PPL is one of Maine’s largest public library systems and the most visited cultural institution in the state. PPL lends over 300,000 books (print and digital), magazines, audio and visual materials, and archival materials, and serves our community through the Downtown Library, three neighborhood branches (Peaks Island, Deering Center, Riverton), and a Bookmobile.
Our commitment is to serve everyone, including families, children, and teens, including new Americans, those for whom English is not a first language, those who are in transition, those experiencing homelessness, those in need of a safe space to be quiet and read, people learning new skills and researching interests, and those seeking social connection.
Legal
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
As Maine’s only state-wide immigration legal services organization, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project advances justice and equity for immigrants and their families through direct legal services, community legal education, and systemic advocacy. We directly engage more than 3,000 people each year and reach many more through our advocacy efforts. We operate full-time offices in Portland and Lewiston and a have regular presence across the state through our “Rural Maine Project.”
With ILAP, people with low incomes can get the immigration legal help they need to find safety from violence and persecution, keep their families together, and advance towards economic security. Whether through an in-depth one-time consultation or full legal representation in complex multi-year cases, ILAP ensures that immigrant community members receive expert legal guidance and fair treatment under the law. And where laws and policies are unjust, ILAP works to change them.
Sports
PAYSA
Portland Area Youth Soccer Association (PAYSA) serves over 1,000 local kids each year with soccer programs built for fun, growth, and skill development. Our programs are designed to match players with the right level of play for their age and experience. We emphasize learning over winning, there are no formal standings, and younger players play small-sided games (6v6 or 8v8) to maximize touches on the ball and build confidence on the field. PAYSA believes soccer should be available to all, regardless of financial circumstances.
Portland Community Squash
Portland Community Squash (PCS) aims to build an accessible community center that holistically supports and unites its members. We envision a community with enough social and human capital to overcome ever-changing societal challenges and prosper.
VALUES
Respect - We support our teammates Effort - We work hard together Positivity - We use our energy to uplift others
PRINCIPLES
Access - Remove barriers to reflect the city's population Equity - Prepare members to thrive Cohesion - Unite and empower a strong community
Portland Hockey Trust
At the Portland Hockey Trust , the goal is simple: give children the opportunity to play hockey and have fun. The Portland Hockey Trust promotes the social, emotional and physical well-being of youth in Portland by providing opportunities to skate and play hockey, open to all and free of charge.
https://www.portlandhockeytrust.com/
Join us for this new, non- instructional, family open gym program. A great opportunity for kids and parents or guardians to come together and enjoy active playtime in a safe, welcoming environment. We will provide a variety of equipment such as basketballs, soccer balls, gym mats, and more!
*Parents/caregivers are required to stay for the duration of the program and are welcome to supervise or join in on the fun!
Dates: Sundays (Starting November 2, 2025)
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: All ages welcome
Location: Reiche Community Center - 166 Brackett Street, Portland
Instructor: Recreation staff Present - *Non instructional program
What should I bring? Gym shoes and comfortable clothing
Fee: $5 Portland Residents / $10 Non-Residents
Cash only: Please bring the exact amount as we will not have change
Portland Parks and Recreation
This site has everything you need to know about before and after the bell care at school, winter activities, summer camp, events, etc in all Portland City owned buildings and parks.
Recreation offers opportunities for healthy lifestyles of all ages. Our department offers various programming for Youth, Adults, and 62+, including clinics, leagues, art/music, archery, cooking/baking, nature programs, open gyms, trips, luncheons, and more.
The YMCA of Southern Maine
The YMCA of Southern Maine is Building an inclusive, healthy community for all, regardless of ability to pay.
We know that lasting personal and social change comes about when we all work together. That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
We are a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility. That’s because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. We do this through our focus on:
Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen.
Healthy Living: Improving our communities’ health & well-being.
Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors.
Portland Nordic
Portland Nordic promotes healthy and active lifestyles in greater Portland, Maine through the sport of Nordic skiing.