The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center will close its downtown location at the end of June, the organization announced Friday.
The organization, which offers classes and support for new Mainers, has operated out of its 24 Preble St. location for more than seven years. But a “sustained funding shortfall, heavily impacted by the loss of federal funding” forced its closure, its board of directors said in a post on social media.
Acting Director Danny Muller said funding first appeared to be frozen in February, but was not sure exactly why.
“The Immigrant Welcome Center has lived up to its name, providing a place where new Mainers could find not only essential services but also a sense of belonging and welcome,” the board said in a letter dated Thursday and posted Friday. “Its closure marks a significant loss for the many individuals and families who have relied on its programming and open doors.”
The space will remain open for walk-in services through June 30, while a handful of programs, including weekend soccer and offsite English classes, will continue through the summer, the board said.
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“While the physical space is closing, the need for this work remains urgent. We promise to continue to coordinate with community partners to explore new homes for key programming areas in the months ahead,” the board said.
A spokesperson for the center did not return an interview request Friday night.
Mufalo Chitam, executive director of the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, said the center’s brick and mortar space was “symbolic” of the state’s support network. And while some of its programs will find new homes among the state’s dozens of immigrant support groups, the space itself is a major loss.
The Preble Street location functioned as a community hub, where children could play as their families studied and socialized, she said.
“Over the years, they’ve made that place welcoming. … That sense of belonging is huge,” Chitam said. “We’re at a time where we need every organization like that to be up and running.”
