Changing the Fabric of Maine One Heart at a Time

The staff OUT Maine knows first hand that LGBTQ+ youth in Maine thrive when they have access to affirming people, programs, and policies.

The past year has seen many challenges socially and politically. These issues have made OUT Maine’s work more timely, and the organization has seen (as it has every year) a marked increase in engagement with youth, parents, educators, and providers through its programs.

Pre-pandemic, OUT Maine had a staff of four. Today, it has a full-time staff of ten, including staff with expertise in education and mental health. This has allowed the organization to expand its reach by offering more programs (both in-person and online), in more locations, to more adults and youth in Maine.

OUT Maine’s programs have a rippling effect.

“Cassie Cooper [OUT Maine’s Associate Director] is an amazing speaker, a patient teacher, and a warm-hearted person whose work is surely changing the fabric of Maine one heart at a time,” said a church pastor after an OUT Maine training. The pastor then provided examples of congregants who attended the training implementing what they learned at home and at church to make these spaces more welcoming to LGBTQ+ youth and adults, and concluded, “[Cassie’s] message will cause holy ripples to go throughout our community for a long, long time.”

View our 2024-2025 Mission Impact Report to see the data behind these stories and our growing reach across Maine.