Below we’ve provided a list of local support groups and informational links. Please note that these resources are provided based on information given to York Hospital. Make sure to contact the individual groups for questions and to confirm the dates and times of meetings.
Abuse & assault
Direct support and safety planning services for anyone experiencing domestic abuse and violence. Prevention education, training, and professional consultation to move toward bringing an end to domestic violence. Call the hotline at (800) 239-7298 or our office at (207) 490-3227. Email us at mail@caring-unlimited.org, or visit www.caring-unlimited.org for more information.
Offers services, support, and shelter for battered women and their children. Offers ongoing support groups in Portsmouth, Dover, and Salem, NH for those who’ve experienced or are currently experiencing physical or emotional abuse from a partner. For more information, dates, and locations, please call (603) 436-7924 or visit www.havennh.org.
Offers support groups for anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse and their families. For more information, please call the 24/7 hotline at (603) 994-7233, our office at (603) 436-4107 or visit www.havennh.org.
Addiction
For times and locations in Southern Maine & NH area visit alcoholicsanonymous.com/aa-meetings/maine/york-maine or call (207) 774-4335.
Support group for families and friends of alcoholics. For more information, please call (800) 498-1844 or (207) 284-1844; or go to their website at www.maineafg.org/meeting-list.
Support group for teenagers of alcoholics. Call (800) 498-1844 for meeting times and locations; or visit their website at www.maineafg.org/alateen.
The Community Health team supports health improvement and substance abuse prevention. Choose To Be Healthy is a community health coalition funded through state and federal grants to prevent youth substance abuse. Coalition partners include municipalities, schools, civic organizations, businesses, faith communities, law enforcement, and retailers. While most of the work is done within the York Hospital service area, support is also provided to York District Public Health (York County). To learn more, call (207) 351-2655, email smanninen@nameiw.com, or visit our Community Health page.
The Recovery Center, York Hospital’s program for the treatment of substance use disorder offers a support and counseling For more information, please call (207) 351-2118 or visit our Recovery Center web page.
Bereavement
Meets the first and third Thursdays of each month from 3:00–4:00 p.m. at the Beacon office, 25 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 272, Portsmouth, NH. Eight sessions per term. Call (603) 433-2480 for more information and to find out when the next cohort starts.
38 Westview Drive
Sanford, ME 04073
Diane Thibault, Facilitator
GriefShare
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
Starting Sept 10, 2024 - Tuesdays 6-8 pm, Starting Sept 11, 2024 - Wednesdays 10am - noon
$20 for 13 week session, please register
Surviving Loss of Spouse
Sept 7, 2024 10am - noon
Free - please register
Program Center Building
117 Main Street
Kennebunk, ME 04043
Thursdays 11:00am-12:30 pm.
First Baptist Church of South Berwick
GriefShare
130 Main Street
South Berwick, ME 03908
Richard Cooke, Facilitator
Wednesdays, Sept. 18 – Dec. 11, 2024, from 6:30–8 p.m.
$20 for 13 week session, please register
Bereavement support. Meets third Friday of the month at their office at 25 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 272, Portsmouth, NH 03801. FMI, call (603) 433-2480.
390 US Route One
Scarborough, ME 04074
General Bereavement Support Group
This support group will meet on Thursdays, from October 10 to November 14, 2024, from 1:00–2:30 p.m. It will meet in person at Hospice of Southern Maine's main office located at 390 US Route One in Scarborough.
Grief 101
Grief 101 is a one-time session meant for people who are within the first six months of their grief experience. The next meeting is Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m., at 390 US Route One, Scarborough.
Holiday Bereavement Support Group
Tuesday Group
November 26 – January 7 (no meeting 12/24)
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Please contact Taylor at twatts-hall@hospiceofsouthernmaine.org or call (207) 289-3671 to register.
Thursday Group
December 5 – January 16 (no meeting 12/26)
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Please contact Maria at mmccann@hospiceofsouthernmaine.org or (207) 289-3673 for registration information or with questions.
After the death of a parent: Bereavement support group for young adults
This group is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 35 who has experienced the death of a parent. This evening support group will meet Tuesdays from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM beginning on Sept 3, 2024 and ending on Oct 8, 2024. It will meet in person at Hospice of Southern Maine's main office located at 390 US Route One in Scarborough.
Kittery Church of Christ
GriefShare
48 Love Lane
Kittery, ME 03904
Marcia Stacy, Leader
Tuesdays 6 - 8 pm
$20 for 13 week session, please register
300 Post Road
Wells, ME 04090
Ria Sevigny, Center Director
Chaplain Pamela Brouker, Group Facilitator
Call to confirm dates and times. Free.
York Street Baptist Church
GriefShare
61 York Street
York, ME 03909
Hosts Grief Journey Support Group. Call for information. Tuesdays 6:30 pm starting Sept 10, 2024.
Free - please register
Eating disorders
Are you underweight? Overweight? Obsessed with food, weight, or dieting? You are not alone. Today, there is a solution. No dues, fees, or weigh-ins. Free information sessions. For a complete list of meetings, please visit www.foodaddicts.org or call Lynn at (603) 778-1799.
Health conditions
Offers a variety of support groups for people with HIV and Aids and their families and partners. For more information, please call (603) 433-5377 or visit www.aidsresponse.org.
York Hospital Living Well Cancer Support Group provides emotional support and information for those coping with diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from cancer. The group meets the second Monday of the month via ZOOM from 1 – 2 p.m. Please contact Susan Kelly-Westman to obtain the website link at: (207) 351-3721.
York Hospital’s Stroke Support Group offers survivors and family members a way to understand the effects of stroke and ways to enrich their lives. We recognize that a stroke affects the whole person and their loved ones. We are happy to offer this group as a forum to share experiences, to gain support for the journey, and to become inspired to move forward after a stroke. The group meets the fourth Monday of the month 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Please contact Susan Kelly-Westman to obtain the website link at: (207) 351-3721.
Local services & resources
211 Maine is a comprehensive statewide directory of over 8,000 health and human services available in Maine. The toll free 2-1-1 hotline connects callers to trained call specialists who can help 24/7. Finding the answers to health and human services questions and locating resources is as quick and easy as dialing 2-1-1 or visiting www.211maine.org.
A House for ME was created by a group of concerned people, health care providers, veterans, advocates, parents, and educators, who have come together to change the way that supported housing is provided for community members with special needs. We surround our residents with a Circle of Support — people who are in their lives because they want to be there, who enrich their lives, and who help them fully integrate into the community. For more information, visit ahouseforme.org or email ahouseforme@comcast.net.
Located in York, Maine at the York Public Library, the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Groups, a safe place for people living with dementia and their care partners, are conducted by trained facilitators. You will develop a support system, exchange practical information on challenges and solutions, talk through issues and ways of coping, and share feelings, needs, and concerns. Meets third Wednesday of the month, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Road, York, Maine. FMI, contact Linda Bresnahan, (603) 560-5522 or linda.brez64@gmail.com. Learn more at: alzconnected.org.
Located in York Harbor, Maine at St. George’s Church, Time of Wonder Early Learning Center is fully committed to providing quality, affordable childcare and a positive academic experience for each child. Our mission is to provide developmentally nourishing infant, preschool, and toddler programs and support for working families. Learn more at:
stgeorgesyorkharbor.org/time-of-wonder-early-learning-center
If you would like more information or are interested in volunteering,
email: director@timeofwonder.org or call (207) 606-0738.
The mission of Fair Tide is to reduce homelessness by providing housing and supportive services to individuals and families on the Seacoast. Learn more by calling (207) 439-6376 or visiting their website at www.fairtide.org.
For more information about the First Parish Congregational Church, visit their website at www.firstparishyork.net or call (207) 363-3758. There are also office hours available, Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.
York Hospital’s Health Care Help Center (HCHC), is an easily accessible service where people — whether they are new or established patients or simply community members — can find answers to questions about their health care path. Located on the lower level of the hospital’s Henry Warner Building, 16 Hospital Drive on the York campus, this inviting space has been designed to be a central “hub” of answers and assistance that will help ensure the best possible patient access and experience at York Hospital.
Whether you need to find a doctor, want help scheduling an appointment, can’t afford to pay a bill, need assistance with prescription drug coverage, want to enroll in a health insurance plan or medicare, need assistance for an elderly parent, or don’t understand a diagnosis, our experts will be happy to provide caring support and guidance.
We’re open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. by appointment only. For more information, call us at (207) 351-2345 or visit our Health Care Help Center page.
York Hospital Home Care provides nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social worker, and home health aides. Our team provides the clinical knowledge and expertise of a progressive home health agency with the care and compassion that York Hospital has long been known for. We help to close the gap in the continuum of care by providing compassionate and quality services to enable patients to stay in the comfort of home during times of recuperation, disability, or chronic or terminal illness.
Patient care is individualized and communicated throughout the team. We work closely with a network of community programs with the goal of keeping the individual in their home for as long as possible. A nurse from our team is available 24/7 for patient or referral questions. Learn more on our Home Care page.
Address: 6 Summit Avenue, York, Maine 03909
(on York Hospital’s Main Campus)
Phone: (207) 337-7300
Toll Free: (877) 564-3321
Fax: (207) 337-7327
Email: homecare@nameiw.com
Santa’s Cause provides age-appropriate gifts and holiday support to an ever-increasing number of families in need in our York County Maine communities. Requests come in from our pre-approved, third-party referring individuals — counselors, teachers, social workers, child protective services, etc. Thanks to the support of our community and volunteers, we have never left a request for help unanswered. Visit their facebook page at www.facebook.com/santascausemaine to learn more, or email robin.donarumo@yahoo.com.
York Adult and Community Education offers over a hundred classes, including business skills training, fun personal enrichment, and more. Look inside the yellow pages of our catalog and discover just the right course for you! For more information, call (207) 363-7922 or visit york.maineadulted.org.
Our mission is to partner with York residents who are in need of support, services, and referrals during a difficult time in their lives with the help of our staff, volunteers, and community. Our thrift store raises funds for the clients we serve in York through Family Services and the Food Pantry. Learn more at www.ycsame.org or call (207) 363-5504. We are located at 855 US Route One in York, Maine.
For more than 50 years, York County communities have counted on YCCAC to provide opportunity and hope to people from all circumstances, particularly in times of transition or adversity.
We are driven by the belief that when our communities are strong, all of its members have opportunities to thrive — and, in turn, when an individual achieves personal success and independence, our communities grow healthier, stronger, and more vibrant. For more information, call (207) 324-5762 or visit yccac.org.
In 2006, the York County Family Fund was created in collaboration with the First Parish Church of York, Maine. The Fund has helped dozens of individuals and families through times of crisis. It is designed to aid hard-working people who are accustomed to providing for themselves. They are usually unfamiliar with formal aid program support but have found themselves in desperate need with nowhere else to turn. We work through established York County clergy and rely on their discreet discernment of need. There is no requirement to be affiliated with a church to receive aid. To learn more, visit www.yorkcountyfamilyfund.org or call (617) 875-0024 or email yorkcountyfamilyfund@gmail.com.
One of the most distinctive and affordable senior communities in Maine offering independent living, complete with a menu of services thoughtfully planned for older active adults who deserve the peace of mind that comes with community living. York Housing Authority has been in existence since 1978 and presently owns and manages 136 units of senior housing. All levels of affordability make them a unique housing provider. It is the mission of York Housing to provide safe, clean, affordable housing.
For more information, visit www.yorkmaine.org/234/York-Housing-Authority or call (207) 363-8444.
The York Public Library is located at: 15 Long Sands Road in York, ME 03909. For information about hours, programs and events, visit yorkpubliclibrary.org, email info@yorkpubliclibrary.org, or call (207) 363-2818.
Mental health
NAMI groups in Maine and NH support programs are open to anyone who has mental illness or any family member, friend, professional, or caregiver who needs support with the challenges of mental illness. For more information on NAMI in NH visit www.naminh.org/support-groups; or for information on NAMI in Maine, visit namimaine.org/programs.
Military members & family
Military OneSource is a 24/7 connection to information, answers, and support to help for members of our military family, who are eligible to use this Department of Defense-funded program anytime, anywhere. Turn to Military OneSource for tax services, spouse employment help, webinars, online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more. Learn about some of the ways we serve you here: www.militaryonesource.mil/about-us/#serve.