A history of responding to Portland

Over the years, YFO has offered everything from some of Maine’s earliest adult education classes to programs for young people, adults with disabilities, and families in need.

Each chapter began the same way: by paying attention to what was happening in our community and asking how we could help.

In the 1980s, that question led YFO in an entirely new direction.

Teen pregnancy was rising, and YFO was located just steps from Portland High School. Young parents faced an enormous challenge: how could they continue their education while caring for a new baby?

For YFO, the answer was childcare.

Our early childhood program began in 1986 with just six babies of high school students, cared for by four volunteers from the Channing Knitting Circle.

Those six babies were the beginning of something much bigger.

From 6 babies to 72 children

Today, YFO provides high-quality early care and education for 72 children, from six weeks through five years old.

We continue to prioritize children and families who often face the greatest barriers to accessing early education, including children of teen parents, families experiencing homelessness, and immigrant families.

We believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing place to learn and grow—and every parent deserves the opportunity to work, go to school, and build a future for their family.

We know we can't do it alone

One of YFO’s greatest strengths has always been our willingness to work in partnership.

Today, our collaboration with Portland Public Schools brings public Pre-K classrooms directly into YFO, while our partnership with The Opportunity Alliance provides Head Start and Early Head Start opportunities for eligible children and families.

These partnerships allow us to surround families with more resources, expertise, and support than any one organization could provide on its own.

And that spirit of collaboration will be increasingly important in the years ahead.