Community Concepts Opens Maine’s First
Family Resource Center

August 18, 2026

LEWISTON, ME ­– Community Concepts, Inc. (CCI) announces the opening of Maine’s first Family Resource Center at its 240 Bates Street location in Lewiston, creating a one-stop hub where families can access support, services, and resources in a welcoming, family-centered environment.

Developed in partnership with Maine Children’s Trust through a Maine Prevention Council mission investment, the Family Resource Center (FRC) brings a nationally recognized model of family support to Maine for the first time. Community Concepts is implementing the model in alignment with the National Family Support Network, which supports a nationwide network of FRCs dedicated to strengthening families through prevention-focused, strengths-based, and community-driven services. Across the country, FRCs help families and individuals access support before challenges become crises while promoting child and family well-being through coordinated, community-based support.

Led by CCI’s Prevention Council team, the new FRC is designed to address an unmet community need for wraparound supports in a single location. Programs such as the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), parenting education, financial coaching, mental health services, and childcare navigation are available through one convenient hub, making it easier for families to find the help they need. The center also offers in-person support in multiple languages, including French and Lingala, helping ensure services are accessible to all families who call the Lewiston-Auburn region home.

To support the launch, CCI has transformed its Bates Street location with the addition of a dedicated children’s playroom, which is now open and serving families. Additional renovations are currently underway, including upgrades to drop-in spaces, the reception area, and a new Family Space room, designed for family activities, meetings, and community programming. The children’s playroom (pictured below) is already offering a safe and engaging environment where children can play while parents and caregivers access services and supports.

What is a Family Resource Center?

FRCs are community hubs that provide free or low-cost, non-stigmatizing support services to strengthen families. These centers use a multi-generational, prevention-focused, strengths-based approach to prevent crises and promote child and family well-being.

  • Prevention Focused: Built to support families, child development, and school readiness.
  • Strengths Based: Recognizes and builds upon existing capabilities of parents & communities.
  • Inclusive & Accessible: Universal, low-barrier entry tailored to local cultural needs.

As renovations near completion, CCI’s FRC is also expanding as a collaborative hub for partner organizations serving families. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition was among the first agencies to join the effort, launching “WIC Wednesdays” at the Center in July.

“A crucial component of the Family Resource Center is partnering with other agencies in these spaces,” said Jim Martin, CEO of CCI. “By bringing services and community partners together in one location, we can connect families more quickly to resources like food, diapers, childcare, energy assistance, financial coaching, and mental health support. Our goal is to help families access what they need to thrive, build stability, and achieve long-term self-sufficiency.”

The FRC is overseen by Melissa Green, CCI’s Director of Customer and Prevention Services, who says families are already traveling from outside the Lewiston-Auburn area to participate in programming.

“Word has already spread for families, some of whom live in Oxford County and still visit us in Lewiston for Playgroup on Thursdays,” said Green. “And once the Family Space is open by the end of summer, we hope to welcome more partner organizations, creating a shared network of services and supports where families can connect with what they need.”

The FRC is located at Community Concepts’ main office at 240 Bates Street in Lewiston. Community members interested in services, playgroups, parenting programs, or partnership opportunities are encouraged to visit the Family Resource Center page at ccimaine.org for more information.

Timeline of Family Resource Center Development

For more information, visit the Family Resource Center page under “Our Services” at ccimaine.org.

October 2025 – CCI transformed former HEAP office space into a dedicated children’s playroom, creating the foundation for Maine’s first Family Resource Center.
December 2025  – March 2026 – Community outreach and partner engagement efforts began, bringing local organizations together to help shape the Family Resource Center model.
July 2026 – “WIC Wednesdays” launched at the Family Resource Center, marking the first regular partner-led program operating within the space.
August 2026 – Community Concepts publicly announces the opening of Maine’s first Family Resource Center.
September 2026 – Completion of the Family Space and Welcome Center (lobby) renovations is anticipated, providing additional gathering, meeting, and service coordination space for families and community partners.
October 2026 – Community Concepts plans to host a public open house celebrating the completion of the Family Resource Center and recognizing a year of planning, partnership-building, and community investment, while continuing to expand collaboration with community organizations.

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