Help in Maine
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 22 places in Maine, most of them in Portland, Bangor and Lewiston, plus 11 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (13) and after treatment and in recovery (12).
Maine Statewide Domestic Abuse Helpline
Single statewide number that connects anyone experiencing domestic abuse to one of Maine's nine regional domestic violence resource centers. Call to talk through options, safety planning, shelter, and court advocacy; a deaf/hard-of-hearing line is available.
211 Maine
Free, confidential information and referral line staffed around the clock by Maine-based specialists. Covers addiction treatment, rental and heating assistance, shelter, food, and other local services; also searchable online.
Adult Community Corrections Region 1 – Cumberland Office
Probation and parole office supervising adults released into Cumberland and York counties. People on supervised release report here; the office also connects clients to reentry programming required under their conditions.
Youth Transition Services (Chafee Program)
State program for young people who were in Maine foster care. Eligible youth can sign a Voluntary Extended Support (V9) Agreement to keep receiving housing, education, and case management support past age 18 through the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.
Office for Family Independence – SNAP, MaineCare, and TANF
State office that runs SNAP food benefits, MaineCare (Medicaid), TANF, and General Assistance oversight. Apply or renew online at My Maine Connection, by mail, or at a district office; a call center handles eligibility questions.
Office of Maine Refugee Services
Maine's federally designated state refugee office. It funds and coordinates resettlement, employment, and integration services across the state through local affiliates and adult education and health partners rather than serving walk-ins directly.
Refugee & Immigration Services
DOJ-recognized immigration legal services plus case management, employment help, medical screening, and services for older refugees for people already living in Maine. New federal resettlement arrivals paused in 2025, but existing clients and eligible residents are still served.
Preble Street
Portland's largest low-barrier social service agency: food pantry and soup kitchens, street outreach, teen shelter, wellness shelter, veterans housing, and case management for people who are homeless or in poverty. Start by calling or coming to the main office on Portland Street.
Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Services
Statewide program for survivors of labor and sex trafficking of any age or gender. Offers intensive case management, basic needs, shelter and housing help, legal and immigration referrals, and recovery connections. Self-referrals welcome by phone or the online form.
Through These Doors
Cumberland County's domestic violence resource center. The free 24-hour helpline is answered by a service that takes a safe callback number; an advocate returns the call within 15 minutes, with an interpreter if you ask. Also runs emergency shelter, court advocacy, and a program for incarcerated women.
Safe Voices
The only shelter and support provider for survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties. The 24/7 helpline leads to safety planning, shelter, support groups, court advocacy, and transportation help.
Partners for Peace
Domestic abuse resource center for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, based in Bangor. Round-the-clock helpline, advocacy, legal services, safety planning, support groups, a pet-friendly shelter, and transitional housing for people affected by partner abuse, stalking, or trafficking.
Portland Recovery Community Center
Peer-run recovery community organization where all services are free: daily meetings, recovery coaching, telephone recovery support, and a drop-in space for people in early recovery. Also serves as the Maine Recovery Hub helping other towns start centers.
Bangor Area Recovery Network (The BARN)
Recovery community center in Brewer serving the greater Bangor area with close to 200 meetings a month, recovery coaching, a recovery justice program for people involved with the courts, and help finding recovery housing. Open seven days a week.
Milestone Recovery
Portland agency serving people facing both addiction and homelessness since 1967. Runs the HOME Team street outreach, a low-barrier emergency shelter, medically monitored detox, a 30-day residential program, and extended-care residential treatment. No one is turned away for inability to pay.
Trinity Jubilee Center
Lewiston day shelter and resource center with a soup kitchen serving 800+ lunches a week, a food pantry, a free medical clinic, showers and laundry, and employment navigation. Guests can use the center's phone, computer, and mailing address.
Bangor Area Homeless Shelter
38-bed year-round emergency shelter for adults in downtown Bangor, with extra winter beds, a daily day room, a community food pantry, and a diversion coordinator who helps people avoid shelter when another option exists. Beds are first-come, first-served and cannot be held by phone.
New Beginnings
Lewiston-based agency for runaway and homeless youth and young adults across Maine who lack stable family support. Programs include Marian's Place 24-hour youth shelter, transitional living, street outreach, a drop-in center, counseling, and education and employment help.
Hope House Health and Living Center
PCHC's Bangor health center attached to Hope House, offering primary medical care and behavioral health from physicians, clinical social workers, and counselors to people experiencing homelessness and others in the community.
Pine Tree Legal Assistance
Maine's statewide free civil legal aid program for people with low incomes, covering eviction and housing, public benefits, debt, protection from abuse, and family law. Intake is by phone during set call-in hours or at weekly walk-in sessions in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, and other offices.
Maine Vital Records
State office that issues certified Maine birth, death, and marriage certificates. A certified birth certificate costs $15 and can also be bought from the town where you were born or where your mother lived; delayed birth registrations cost $60.
Maine State Identification Card
Non-driver photo ID issued at every BMV branch and mobile unit. A standard state ID is $5 and a REAL ID version is $30; the first REAL ID must be done in person. You must show legal presence in the U.S. and a physical Maine address.
National lines that work in Maine
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.