Artists’ renderings of the campus expansion at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine (left) and Avesta Housing’s new affordable housing development at 15-19 Cedar St., Portland
Earlier this year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine announced that it was donating land on Cedar Street in Portland to us as part of our strategic partnership to provide more services and homes to youths and their families. This generous gift will allow us to create 30 new homes and continue the work of Avesta, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other partners to support the long-term vitality of the neighborhood.
We asked Colleen Cooper, chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, to answer three questions related to this donation and our shared vision. Click here to read the Q&A.
- What prompted Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine to donate its Cedar Street property to Avesta Housing?
The decision to donate our Cedar Street property to Avesta Housing is ultimately rooted in mission alignment. At Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, we see every day how housing instability impacts the young people and families we serve, affecting everything from school attendance to overall wellbeing. We absolutely recognize the importance of housing, and we’ve worked to ensure our project is part of a broader solution while also addressing a very real and urgent need in our community.
By partnering with Avesta Housing, we have the confidence that the property will be used in a way that creates long-term community benefit, extending our impact beyond our walls and supporting youth and families in a foundational way.
- How does this donation fit into Boys & Girls Clubs’ strategic plan and expansion roadmap?
This donation is a strategic decision that aligns closely with our broader vision for growth and impact.
A “Place for Growth” is not simply an expansion of space; it’s an expansion of purpose. The expansion will allow us to double the number of youth served at our Portland Clubhouse while creating a dedicated, age-appropriate environment for teens. It will provide hands-on workforce development, meaningful trade exploration, academic support, and leadership opportunities all under one roof. Just as importantly, it will create a place where teens feel seen, valued, and connected—here in this neighborhood.
And while the building is in Portland, the impact extends across Southern Maine. The programs, partnerships, and curriculum developed in the Teen Center will strengthen outcomes for youth in every one of our clubhouses. We’re strengthening families, building our workforce, and investing in the long-term vitality and economy of our entire community.
Donating the Cedar Street property allows us to stay focused on our core mission and expansion while also ensuring the asset is used in a way that advances our mission. It reflects a disciplined approach to resource allocation: investing directly in youth development infrastructure while leveraging strong partners to address complementary community needs like housing. In short, it allows us to be both focused and impactful, doubling down on what we do best while still contributing meaningfully to the broader ecosystem of support around our families.
- Why are partnerships like the one between the Boys & Girls Clubs and Avesta Housing important for building communities?
No single organization can meet all the needs of a community, especially when those needs are interconnected. Youth development, housing stability, food access, education, and workforce readiness all influence one another.
Partnerships like this bring together organizations with different areas of expertise to create more holistic, sustainable solutions to broader systematic challenges. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine provides a safe, supportive environment and developmental programming for youth, while Avesta Housing provides the stability of a place to call home. Together, that combination creates stronger outcomes for youth and families.
It takes a village. And this kind of collaboration is how communities move from addressing symptoms to addressing root causes, while ultimately creating environments where young people can truly thrive. We are truly grateful to partner with an organization like Avesta and look forward to the impact our projects will have on the youth and families we both serve.