LEWISTON — The Store Next Door Project, with a mission to meet the basic needs of over 300 Lewiston prekindergarten through 12th grade youth, is in need of community support.
The program attempts to “eliminate barriers to education” for youth experiencing displacement, high mobility and homelessness in Lewiston. By addressing basic needs, with the goal of achieving academic success, students who are currently or formerly homeless, at risk for homelessness and pregnant/parenting teens, receive support through the project.
The project relies 100 percent on community support. Most of the youth are living outside traditional family systems, and do not have family members available for love, support and provision of tangible items.
The greatest needs include financial support for emergency needs and purchases; discretionary money for as-needed expenses not covered elsewhere (costs, lunches and spending money for field trips, required class items, fees); gift cards, grocery cards, gas cards, fast food restaurants, movie/snack passes, local businesses, and basic phone and phone cards.
Ongoing needs include food, bottled water and juice, as well as hygiene items and cleaning supplies. Clothing is in critical need: new and in high school styles. Beginner apartment needs are also required.
Targeted initiatives include new outfits for school, driver education support, Linus Project items and scholarship donations.
Store operating items needed include printing services, heavy duty trash bags, totes/bins with lids, display baskets and hot drink to-go cups/lids. There are also items the program cannot accept.
FMI: mdumais@lewistonpublicshools.org, mseaman@lewistonpublicshools.org, jcaouette@lewistonpublicshools.org, tinyurl.com/ycdnekfe.
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