Through its work with partners to promote child well-being, the John T. Gorman Foundation has increasingly focused on relational health – the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships essential to children’s health and development and to the well-being of families overall. Alongside partners, the Foundation is supporting innovative approaches designed to help caregivers strengthen these connections … Read more
How MaineHealth Early Childhood Support Specialists help families reduce stress, build confidence, and nurture healthy relationships The mother was adamant—she wouldn’t do it. As an Early Childhood Support Specialist at a MaineHealth pediatric clinic in Rockland, Annette Burns helps parents support their children’s healthy development. Sometimes, that means helping families navigate deep poverty, substance use, … Read more
PROSPER initiative combines culturally grounded parenting support with trusted messengers to strengthen connections in Passamaquoddy families Families across Maine share a deep love for their children and a desire for them to thrive. But how families care for their children, the challenges they face, and the support they find helpful can look very different depending … Read more
Bright Connections is creating a coordinated response to an often-overlooked Adverse Childhood Experience When a child’s life is upended by a traumatic event, it is critical that the adults around them respond quickly to help them feel safe, secure, and cared for. For some events, such as the death of a caregiver or a serious … Read more
The John T. Gorman Foundation is hiring for a Program Associate, Child Wellbeing. To apply, email a resume and cover letter to hr@jtgfoundation.org by August 17, 2026. Program Associate, Child Wellbeing Job Description The Program Associate reports to the Chief Program Officer and is a full-time professional position at the John T. Gorman Foundation. The … Read more
In this Data Snapshot, we take a look at housing issues affecting Maine families and some of the ways the John T. Gorman Foundation is contributing to efforts aimed at creating greater housing stability.
When a family faces the threat of eviction, their next steps can fundamentally shape the trajectory of their lives for years to come. Yet many families receive eviction notices with little time, few options and no attorney to help them understand their rights, preserve their housing if possible or find the best path forward. Thankfully, … Read more
As the John T. Gorman Foundation directs its efforts to help children and families secure and maintain stable housing, it is also investing in solutions to Maine’s housing shortage through Program-Related Investments (PRIs). Drawn from the Foundation’s investment portfolio, PRIs provide critical support for partners and projects aligned with the Foundation’s mission and priorities. These … Read more
Implemented in Maine since 2023, ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) is a new measure of financial hardship designed to raise awareness of a key demographic – those who earn above the federal poverty level, but not enough to cover the costs of essentials like housing, food, and child care.
A growing body of research details the interconnected health of children and their caregivers – especially in the first months after a child is born. While a long-running survey of mothers has provided valuable data during this formative period, relatively little is known about the well-being of fathers, who are a critical factor in family health. With funding from the John T. Gorman Foundation, the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and the Maine CDC are now working to fill the gap with the Maine Fatherhood Survey.
