About Us
Our Mission
Maine Community Integration (MCI) is committed to creating opportunities for New Mainer girls and their families to have meaningful engagement in the Lewiston-Auburn communities while respecting and uplifting their diverse cultures, identities, and traditions.
We serve the interests of both immigrants and locals by bridging gaps in mutual understanding in order to create social and systemic change.
Our Philosophy
Isku-Filan (Strong Girl): Empowerment for New Mainer Girls and Women
Maine Community Integration’s core philosophy and flagship program is Isku-Filan, a Somali term for a strong, independent girl. MCI educates and empowers New Mainer girls and women to be confident in themselves, work together, make positive changes in their communities and forge their own paths toward success.
Our Approach
Maine Community Integration’s work is:
- Based on the eight elements of girls’ empowerment, an extension of social determinants of health.
- Trauma informed, addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to get to the heart of personal and community growth
- Culturally informed, providing safe spaces and carried out in multiple languages from trusted community leaders
- Intergenerational, serving New Mainer youth and their families simultaneously
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Our Staff
Fowsia Musse
Executive Director
Abdi Abdalla
Assistant Director
Shadia Abdulahi
Climate and Policy Coordinator
Ashley Medina
Program Coordinator
Meet MCI’s Community Health Workers
Paikar Jalali
Laila Navid
Daniel Muissa
Fowziya
Achta Azrak
Our Board
Sam Boss
Director of Apprenticeships & Workforce Equity
Maine AFL-CIO
Jenn Carter, Board President
Science Teacher
Lincoln Middle School (Portland)
Melissa Dunn, Board Secretary
Independent Anti-Violence Organizer
Mohamed Ibrahim
Community Organizer: Immigration
Maine People’s Alliance
Ashley Mills
Principal Consultant, Healthcare and Nonprofit Operations
North Theory Ventures LLC
