Maine Philanthropy Center statement on the anniversary of the Lewiston mass shooting

Today we join with communities across Maine to send our love and thoughts to Lewiston, Auburn, and the surrounding communities and people that were impacted by mass shooting on October 25th of last year. We are holding the victims and their families in our hearts as they navigate this difficult anniversary. 

After a mass tragedy event, we often hear a quote from revered child educator Mr. Rogers, who shared that when he would see scary things in the news as a kid, "my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" Since last year, it is clear that there is no shortage of helpers. Today, we extend gratitude for the individuals, community leaders, and nonprofits who were and continue to be helpers in the aftermath of the shooting and to the funders who answered the call to show up and move resources quickly so that people had what they needed to begin to heal. 

A year is simultaneously a long time and not long at all — there is still so much grieving, healing, and rebuilding to be done together and in community. From resiliency centers to youth leadership programs to shelters and so much more, this crisis reminds us of how important it is to build spaces for connection, strengthen networks of support, and empower community members most proximate to the issues to lead boldly. 

We continue to commit to showing up and mobilizing our community to move resources in a coordinated and collective manner towards long-term support for collective healing.

In solidarity,
Maine Philanthropy Center

#LewistonStrong