Rooted in love. 

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JOIN US FOR A ONE OF A KIND SKI EVENT

ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH

ALL PROCEEDS WILL SUPPORT LEW CREW TEENS!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE MADNESS!

EMPOWERING, UNITING, and TRANSFORMING the CITIES of LEWISTON and PORTLAND, MAINE

Our mission is to engage volunteers and neighbors to cultivate social, economic and spiritual wholeness as part of God’s Kingdom.

Green map of Maine with text 'Loving Our Neighbors Since 1984' and tree logo.

BECOME A RC VOLUNTEER!

There are so many ways to love your neighbors.

Join our team and let’s get to work!

GOOD NEWS

from our Neighborhoods

Featured
An Update on Recent Immigration-Related Detentions Affecting Our Community - and what you can do.
An Update on Recent Immigration-Related Detentions Affecting Our Community - and what you can do.

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)has maintained a visible presence in both Portland and Lewiston for several months, with a noticeable increase in activity in recent weeks. It is true that ICE has arrested individuals who have committed crimes and pose a threat to public safety, and we recognize the legitimacy of those efforts. At the same time, we have also observed individuals with no criminal history being arrested and detained. In recent weeks, at least five adult English students connected to The Root Cellar have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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A Grateful Start to the New Year at The Root Cellar
A Grateful Start to the New Year at The Root Cellar

As we turn the page into a new year, our hearts at The Root Cellar are overflowing with gratitude. This season has been a powerful reminder of how faithfully God provides through the generosity and partnership of our community.

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Welcomed by God: The Deeper Good News of Christmas
Welcomed by God: The Deeper Good News of Christmas

This season invites us to reflect on the Christmas story: Mary, "great with child," and Joseph desperate to find a safe place to give birth, they end up in a stable. It is natural--and worthwhile--to draw parallels between their experience and the realities of people who find themselves on the margins, searching for home and belonging.

But what if we are looking at the story backward--using our present circumstances as the lens through which we interpret the birth of Christ?

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$25,000 in repairs we didn’t plan for… but God is faithful!
$25,000 in repairs we didn’t plan for… but God is faithful!

Through it all, God has been faithful. To be honest, the weight of these unexpected needs has stretched my faith. But the ministry of The Root Cellar doesn’t rest on my faith—it rests on God’s faithfulness and His relentless love for our neighbors. And time and again, that faithfulness is revealed through you.

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Aspiring Writers Share Original Work in English Classes
Aspiring Writers Share Original Work in English Classes

This year our students have worked so hard and accomplished so much in their efforts to learn the English language. We are incredibly proud of each and every one--not just the students whose writing is featured in this issue. We hope that as you read these submissions, you will feel like you are celebrated, because today we want to celebrate you!

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BIG Swing is a BIG Success!
BIG Swing is a BIG Success!
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What a SUPER Summer!
What a SUPER Summer!

Each summer at The Root Cellar, everything get’s bigger, better and - in a word - super! I had a chance to catch up with Alyssa McKay in Lewiston and Dieudonne Karawanga in Portland. They each shared some beautiful insights of how God has been at work in our children and teens - and through so many volunteers! This is all possible because of generous donations from individuals and families - just like you and yours!

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Summer Mission Teams, Foot Washing and Church Partnership
Summer Mission Teams, Foot Washing and Church Partnership

I’m excited to share the story of our partnership with Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA —a collaboration that’s proven to be impactful on the lives of their teens while serving along side our teens in Lewiston. Akash Ahujah shared more about there journey with The Root Cellar on this weeks edition of The Root Cellar Podcast - watch below or click here to listen wherever you get your podcasts!

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The “Path Forward” for General Assistance in Lewiston
The “Path Forward” for General Assistance in Lewiston

The Path Forward (TPF) engages recent immigrants and other neighbors at risk of homelessness in a welcoming community through English language learning and job readiness programming.

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MADNESS on a MOUNTAIN!
MADNESS on a MOUNTAIN!

1 Saturday. 3 Teams. 21 Teens. 101 total Skimo laps. 201 total donations. $36,568 raised for our teens!

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Super Winter in Portland & Lewiston!
Super Winter in Portland & Lewiston!
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English Teacher Conference
English Teacher Conference

Join us for our ELL Teacher Conference on March 28th at The Root Cellar in Portland, from 9 AM to 4 PM! Connect with fellow educators, share a meal, and explore ways to better "love your neighbor” through English Language Learning.

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WELCOMEministries

Our neighborhoods in Lewiston and Portland are home to large, diverse and beautiful communities of refugees and asylum seekers.

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ABUNDANT Food Shares

What if the we could solve food insecurity in our communities by building friendships and sharing life - and food - together?

Through Abundant Food Shares, those in need of food become vested members of a network of households that provide food and friendship with one another.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
Three women packing vegetables, including carrots and eggplants, in a community food distribution setting.

ROOTED Youth Mentoring

Neighborhood youth WORK, PLAY, GROW and GATHER together, discovering the fullness of life through the way of Jesus. We would love to have YOU join us, become a mentor or volunteer!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

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