MEET THE ORGANIZATIONS YOUR REGISTRATIONS, DONATIONS, AND RAFFLE TICKETS WILL SUPPORT
All proceeds of this event will be donated to NAMI Maine and Shalom House. Through the generous support of our sponsors, all event costs have been covered. 100% of all registrations and donations will be donated to these two non-profits (not including the $5 pickleballbrackets fee).
For more than 40 years, NAMI Maine has been the statewide voice for individuals and families affected by mental health challenges. As the Maine affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, we work to ensure that every person—no matter where they live or what they face—has access to support, understanding, and pathways to recovery. Through education, advocacy, and connection, NAMI Maine builds stronger communities where mental health is recognized, valued, and supported as a vital part of overall wellness.
What They Do
NAMI Maine (National Alliance on Mental Illness – Maine Chapter) provides hope, support, and education to anyone affected by mental health challenges. We empower individuals and families through free programs, peer and family support, crisis intervention, and public education that builds understanding and reduces stigma. From training teachers and first responders to supporting parents and youth, NAMI Maine ensures that help and healing are available across every corner of our state.
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Impact
Each year, NAMI Maine reaches tens of thousands of Mainers through direct services, training, and advocacy. Thousands of youth and adults participate in suicide prevention and mental health education programs that save lives and foster resilience. Hundreds of volunteers and peer leaders deliver community-based support groups, the Maine Warm Line provides thousands of calls of comfort, and statewide advocacy continues to improve access to care and strengthen Maine’s mental health system.
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Why This Matters
Mental illness touches one in five Mainers, yet stigma and isolation remain powerful barriers to recovery. NAMI Maine stands beside individuals and families so no one walks this journey alone. By building understanding, strengthening services, and advocating for change, NAMI Maine creates a more compassionate, informed, and connected Maine—where mental health is valued as an essential part of overall well-being.
Shalom House, Inc. (based in Portland, Maine) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer hope for adults living with severe mental illness by providing an array of community-based mental health services and a choice of quality housing that helps people lead stable and fulfilling lives in the community.
​​What They Do
Shalom House provides affordable, quality housing for adults living with serious and persistent mental illness, offering a range of options including group homes, transitional housing, and independent apartments. Beyond housing, Shalom House administers state and federal rental assistance programs to help individuals with low income and psychiatric disabilities maintain stable homes in their communities. The organization also delivers comprehensive, community-based mental health services—such as case management, daily living supports, rehabilitative care, and a therapeutic art program—to empower clients to live independently and thrive. Guided by values of dignity, choice, and inclusion, Shalom House focuses not just on treatment, but on helping people rebuild meaningful lives. In addition, the organization advocates for the rights, safety, and well-being of people facing mental health and housing challenges across Maine.
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Impact
Since its founding in 1972 as a single halfway house with just 15 beds, Shalom House has grown into one of Maine’s leading providers of supportive housing and community-based mental health services. Today, the organization serves hundreds of adults each year across Cumberland and York Counties who are living with serious mental illness and facing housing instability. By offering safe, affordable homes and wraparound supports, Shalom House helps reduce the stress of homelessness, hunger, and isolation—barriers that too often stand in the way of recovery and participation in community life. Its programs guide individuals in transitioning from hospitals, shelters, or group homes into more independent living, promoting autonomy and long-term stability. Through creative outlets like the Art Program and other community integration initiatives, Shalom House also works to reduce stigma, foster self-esteem, and build meaningful social connections for people who have long been marginalized.
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Why This Matters
People with serious mental illness often face multiple overlapping challenges: lack of safe housing, unemployment or under-employment, social isolation, difficulty navigating systems, and stigma. Shalom House’s model addresses both housing and supportive services — a combination that tends to improve the chances of stable recovery and community inclusion. By focusing on dignity, choice, and integration rather than just “institutional care,” they aim to shift the paradigm toward enabling full citizenship for people with psychiatric disabilities.