The Bayside Neighborhood Association (BNA) has been working to establish a multicultural community center in Bayside for nearly 25 years, but has not been successful.

Senior members of the BNA realized that the BNA did not have the capacity to undertake a project of this magnitude. Therefore, the BNA formed a sister community development corporation, the Bayside Opportunity Center (BOC), to develop a community center.

Vision for a Community Multicultural Center

The shared vision of the Bayside Opportunity Center and Bayside Neighborhood Association is to create a Community Multicultural Center in Bayside, known as the Bayside Opportunity Center (BOC), that welcomes New Mainers, immigrants, refugees, ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed), residents, and others seeking assistance and guidance as they navigate life in America. The BOC will work with the City so visitors will feel safe and comfortable on their way to the BOC, without encountering situations that may cause concern or discomfort. The BOC will offer a range of services, including language classes, job placement assistance, cultural orientation sessions, events, with a HUB that offers referral services to appropriate organizations sharing their mission with the BOC. Thus ensuring that all visitors have their questions answered and their needs met. Through these supports, individuals will leave the center feeling empowered and prepared for their journey ahead.

Other Community Centers in Portland 

Portland has 4 other community centers

• Riverton Community Center and pool ,1600 Forest Ave,

• Reiche Community Center, 166 Brackett Street

• East End Community Center, 195 North Street

• Peaks Island Community Center, 129 Island Ave 

Other than Peaks Island  these are associated with schools or former schools and are not designed to support underrepresented residents, such as immigrants, refugees, and ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) individuals, nor do they have significant capacity.

Diversity in Bayside

Bayside is recognized as Maine’s most ethnically diverse neighborhood, with more than sixty languages spoken among its residents. Geographically, it includes both East and West Bayside, covering the northern part of the peninsula from Forest Avenue to Washington Avenue, and from Congress Street to Marginal Way. This cultural diversity shapes the community’s unique character and needs.

Affordable Housing and Community Assets

The neighborhood features several affordable housing developments, such as Unity Village, Pearl Place One, Pearl Place Two, Kennedy Park, Bayside Terrace, Bayside Anchor,  and Franklin Towers, with several more in planning  or under construction. These facilities are owned and managed by Portland Housing Authority and Avesta, serving as vital resources for many New Mainers and underrecognized residents.

The Need for a Suitable Site

This proposal emphasizes the importance of identifying an appropriate location for the Community Multicultural Center in Bayside. The center would serve as a cornerstone for fostering unity, inclusion, and opportunities for all residents, especially the historically underrepresented.

Purpose and Beneficiaries

• The Bayside Opportunity Center (BOC) is a sister organization of the nonprofit Bayside Neighborhood Association (BNA). Founded by senior BNA members, the BOC is seeking nonprofit status to develop the Community Multicultural Center (CMC) in Bayside. The BNA serves as the fiscal sponsor of the BOC.

• The mission of the BOC is to empower Bayside and Portland residents by fostering social, economic, and political confidence through a dedicated center that offers programs, education, space, and collaborative services aimed at New Mainers and the under-recognized.

• The BOC would utilize a location for other organizations sharing  BOC’s vision; and a HUB for referrals to other agencies sharing the BOC mission, education classes including ESL, programs, job training, employment opportunities, and an event venue for celebrations, holidays, gatherings, corporate events, marketplace events, a café, food sales, and cooking lessons. And a co-working space with amenities for BOC collaborators. 

Community Impact

• Youth: Teenage New Mainers would benefit from event space for dances and other youth activities.

• Artists: Creative workspaces with storage lockers, display areas for art and craft shows.

• Seniors: A gathering place for socialization, games, and senior-focused programming, including complimentary beverages.

• General Community: Access to weekly markets, community events, holiday fairs, ethnic dances and classes, fashion shows, and other events.

• Neighborhood: The presence of the center is expected to lessen the impact of street homelessness and associated activities, thus positively activating Portland Street.

• Surrounding businesses: will benefit from the center’s constituent traffic and events. 

• New Mainers: A central hub for referrals to essential health care services, dental, federal, state, municipal, agencies, and non-governmental support. And affording New Mainers a gathering place for socialization. An opportunity to participate in a weekly market and events that feature New Mainers and friends. And most importantly, a center focused on New Mainers and the underrecognized.

How the BOC Will Achieve Its Vision

• Community Engagement: Involving the entire community in supporting the initiative.

• Neighborhood Recognition: Establishing Bayside as a vibrant, diverse destination, enhancing Portland’s reputation for hospitality, food, craft brewing, art, music, and education

• Public Safety: Activating Portland Street,  and providing more effective office space for the Portland Police Midtown Community office, a critical presence in managing those activities now concentrated on and near Portland Street will hopefully  reduce calls for service

• Cost Efficiency: Reducing police time and overtime expenditures on Portland Street, recognized as the worst street in Portland.

• Asset Transformation: Turning a nonperforming, environmentally challenged building into a vital community resource.

• Non-Profit Collaboration: Offering a collegial coworking space for nonprofit administrators and a venue for a variety of events.

• Education and Advocacy: Hosting seminars for the public on federal policy and immigration issues, as well as other relevant concerns focused on the community.

• Workforce Development: Utilizing  apprentice programs and training, this will connect employers with trained labor for hospitality, construction, retail, manufacturing, and food service sectors.

• Professional Advancement: Assisting credentialed New Mainers in securing recognition for their qualifications

•  Entrepreneurship programs: Referrals to appropriate agencies to mentor and facilitate New Mainers and others with the necessary resources and tools to succeed, including maker spaces.

The BOC is committed to the principle that a Community Multicultural Center serving Bayside’s diverse population should be managed by a representative cross-section of residents. Initially, the BOC’s Board and staff will consist of individuals with expertise in nonprofit development, operations, and management. These are the necessary skill sets to develop the site and establish efficient operations to ensure success. The ultimate objective is to transition the BOC into a community-led nonprofit organization when appropriate conditions are met. The BOC will have a Board of Directors and an Advisory Committee to help guide the BOC in meeting the needs of residents from Bayside and beyond.

The BOC is actively pursuing site control through a multiyear lease agreement with an option to purchase. Fundraising efforts will become a priority subsequently, plans will move forward to renovate the space and implement necessary reconfigurations to support the intended uses.