Support Capital Campaign for Maine's First Asian American Community Center

A partnership of Maine Asian American ethnic community-based organizations (ECBOs) and community leaders propose the development of a critically needed Asian American Community Center (Community Center) of Maine in Westbrook. The Community Center has the unique opportunity to use 30 acres of land owned by Watt Samaki, a Cambodian community partner. It will house organizations valuable to the well-being of Mainers and increase accessibility to legal services, translation, citizenship support, and other important community resources.

About Maine's AAPI Population

As of 2022, Maine’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population numbers over 26,500 individuals, including those who are multiracial (AAPIdata.com). Of that number, 13,000 are eligible to vote. Since 2000, the AAPI population of Maine has grown by 113%, with the largest population growth focused in Cumberland, York, and Penobscot counties.

The vibrant and growing population of AAPI Mainers has contributed significantly to the cultural and economic well-being of Maine but also faces significant obstacles to well-being compounded by limited visibility as a community.

While 64% of Asian American adults in Maine have the benefit of speaking a language other than English at home, 29% are Limited English Proficient. About 1,000 Asian Americans in Maine lack broadband access, and 1 in 10 Asian Americans in Maine lack health insurance. 13% of Asian Americans in Maine live in poverty.

Contributing to the invisibility of Asian Americans in Maine is the severe wealth gap between different Asian ethnic groups in Maine. The statistics about Asian Americans, like household income, employment, and healthcare access, belie the hardships experienced by large populations of Asian ethnic minorities, including Maine’s Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Filipino communities.

Currently, Maine’s AAPI community is fractured. While Maine ECBOs express a desire for collaboration, the lack of centralized space and the limited capacity of each organization make cooperation extremely difficult. These vibrant community organizations, along with their dedicated members and boards, need a hub for shared resources and the opportunities that come with more synergistic operations.