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Androscoggin Bank’s MainStreet Foundation Awards Annual $25K for Kids Grant to Longley Elementary School

November 20, 2015

Androscoggin Bank’s MainStreet Foundation announced that Longley Elementary School has been named the 2015 recipient of its annual $25K for Kids grant. The award was presented at the MainStreet Foundation annual meeting held November 19, 2015 at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in Lewiston, Maine. Focused on its mission of providing the three essentials of life – food, shelter and security – to as many children as possible, the $25K for Kids award was presented to Gov. James B. Longley Elementary School to help it maintain and expand its afterschool programming for pre-K through grade 6 students. .

Longley Elementary School is a neighborhood school within the Lewiston Public Schools district that serves students from downtown Lewiston, all of whom live within walking distance. Longley employs 80 full-time staff members and currently serves over 400 students, almost all whom are living in poverty. 

According to Principal Kristie Clark, “Afterschool programming is particularly important for Longley students for several reasons. For many students living in poverty, additional academic support is necessary for students to catch up to their peers. It’s also critical that at-risk youth have support and mentorship after school hours. It is a place where they can feel safe, express themselves and form bonds with their teachers and classmates.” Clark explained that Longley Elementary School plans to use the grant funds to continue their afterschool programming, including their innovative walking school bus program. Specifically, selected K-2 students will participate in an online iRead literacy lab, in support of the district’s commitment to the Campaign for Grade Level Reading. Students in grades 3-6 will participate in self-selected clubs focused on learning through the development of students’ multiple intelligences. The funds will also enable two Longley staff members to serve as a walking school bus, to escort children safely home.  

MainStreet Foundation’s mission is simple, focused and essential: to help keep kids safe, healthy, active, happy, educated and nourished. The $25K for Kids annual award is even more focused on the three essentials of life – food, shelter and security. According to Melissa Rock, Vice President and Marketing Manager of Androscoggin Bank, “We chose Longley Elementary School as the 2015 $25K for Kids recipient for its work enriching the academic experience of Lewiston’s downtown students, many who have experienced difficult situations in their lives or currently live in poverty. Longley’s afterschool programs not only provide students with opportunities for enrichment, which they otherwise likely couldn’t access, it also gives students a safe place to learn and express themselves, and the security of a safe walk home each night. These are the essentials of life and we are honored to help Longley continue making an impact in the lives of its students.” To learn more about Longley Elementary School, visit www.lewistonpublicschools.org.

Longley Elementary School was one of three finalists for the $25k for Kids award. Chosen from a pool of numerous applicants, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick, a one-to-one mentoring service to over 300 at-risk kids, and Safe Voices of Auburn, an organization that supports those affected by domestic violence in Oxford, Franklin and Androscoggin Counties, were the other two finalists.

This is the third year that MainStreet Foundation has awarded this annual grant. In 2014, the grant was awarded to the Androscoggin Childhood Advocacy Center (ACAC), a child-focused center that promotes the healing of victims of child sexual abuse. In 2013, Good Shepherd Food Bank’s BackPack Program in Lewiston and Auburn Schools received the grant.

About Androscoggin Bank’s MainStreet Foundation

The MainStreet Foundation is Androscoggin Bank's $1,000,000 Foundation with a mission that is simple, focused and essential: to help keep at-risk kids in Maine safe, healthy, active, happy, educated, and nourished. Four times a year, MainStreet Foundation makes grants (up to $5,000) to excellent non-profit agencies actively working in our communities to help kids thrive. These grants vary based on the need and typically exceed $50,000 per year. In 2011, Androscoggin Bank pledged to donate $100K to the MainStreet Foundation in honor of outgoing Bank President Steven A. Closson. With this gift, MainStreet is able to offer four $25K individual grants – one in each year starting in November of 2013.

About Androscoggin Bank

 

Androscoggin Bank, headquartered in Lewiston, Maine since 1870, is dedicated to serving the communities of Maine, its residents and the business community.  Delivering smarter banking services and products is our commitment – every day.

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