Maine Association for New Americans (MANA)

What Maine Association for New Americans (MANA) does

Maine Association for New Americans (MANA) is a Portland, Maine-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2012 that delivers culturally grounded peer support, mental health education, wellness programming, and multilingual transportation services to immigrant communities across Maine. The organization is immigrant-led and operates with a small staff of approximately 8 employees plus volunteer networks, serving beneficiaries who originate from 41 countries across 4 continents, with primary representation from Central and East African nations (DRC, Angola, Rwanda most common). Its service portfolio is anchored by four core programs: the Peer Support Program (one-on-one multilingual emotional support using the Intentional Peer Support model), the Community Wellness Program (group wellness programming across age cohorts), the Transportation Program (trauma-informed multilingual non-emergency medical, social services, and food access transportation with staff speaking more than 10 languages), and the Welcoming The Stranger Program (volunteer mentor matching for immigrant individuals and families), supplemented by age-segmented sub-programs (#WEOUTSIDE outdoor recreation, Women's Wellness, #GOALS youth development, Older Adults Wellness) and a community-wide Resources Knowledgebase.

MANA's operating model is community-led and relationship-driven rather than technology-mediated. The organization employs trauma-informed care methodologies and the Intentional Peer Support model, with service delivery occurring in-person, by phone/text, and through volunteer networks. Its go-to-market relies on partner referrals, community word-of-mouth, volunteer networks, email newsletters, and organic social media — reaching immigrants who are often missed by mainstream institutions. The technology stack is minimal and off-the-shelf (Squarespace website, Mailchimp email, Google Forms for applications, Google Groups for volunteer coordination); there is no proprietary platform.

MANA generates no commercial revenue. As a charitable organization (EIN 46-2890018), it is funded through donations and a diversified base of foundation grants (Horizon Foundation, Sewall Foundation, Gorman Foundation, Quimby Family Foundation), corporate sponsorships (Uber Health), government contracts (Maine DHHS, City of Portland), and nonprofit partner funding (United Way Southern Maine). All beneficiary-facing services are provided free of charge. The organization is governed by an immigrant-majority board of directors and led by Executive Director Yvette Unezase. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Maine Association for New Americans (MANA)

Legal name

Maine Association for New Americans

Website

https://mana-maine.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MANA is a Portland, Maine-based immigrant-led 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers trauma-informed multilingual peer support, wellness programming, volunteer mentoring, and non-emergency transportation to immigrants across Maine, primarily from Central and East African communities originating in 41 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: MANA operates as a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN 46-2890018) that relies primarily on donations from individuals, foundations, and community sponsors to fund its programs and services.
2. Grants and Sponsorships: MANA receives funding from various sponsors including government agencies (DHHS), foundations (Horizon Foundation, Sewall Foundation, Gorman Foundation, Quimby Foundation), corporations (Uber Health), and nonprofit partners (United Way Southern Maine).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

MANA is an immigrant-led nonprofit that provides immigrants in Maine with culturally grounded peer support, mental health education, wellness services, cross-cultural connection, and access to vital resources. Its core offerings include one-on-one multilingual peer support using the Intentional Peer Support model, group community wellness programming across age groups, trauma-informed multilingual transportation to medical and social service appointments, and a volunteer-mentor matching program for newly arrived immigrants and refugees.

Product overview

MANA is an immigrant-led non-profit organization offering a coordinated suite of trauma-informed multilingual programs for first and second generation immigrants. The core portfolio includes the Peer Support Program (one-on-one emotional support using Intentional Peer Support model), Community Wellness Program (group wellness programming), Transportation Program (multilingual medical and social services transportation), and Welcoming The Stranger Program (volunteer-mentor matching). Supporting these core offerings are specialized sub-programs: #WEOUTSIDE (outdoor recreation), Women's Wellness, #GOALS (youth development), and Older Adults Wellness. The organization also maintains a comprehensive Resources Knowledgebase covering childcare, education, employment, food, health, housing, legal, and financial topics. All programs are designed to address health disparities, racial equity, and social determinants of health among immigrant communities in Maine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Peer Support Program One-on-one multilingual emotional support for individuals dealing with mental health challenges, delivered as a supplement to conventional mental health services using the Intentional Peer Support model. Staff integrate lived experience of immigration to establish shared understanding with community members. Target audience: immigrants and refugees in Maine facing mental health challenges, trauma, and isolation.
• Community Wellness Program Multilingual wellness programming through group experiences and public education sessions tailored to different age groups, including outdoor activities, support groups, and workshops. Target audience: immigrants across age groups (youth, adults, elders) in Greater Portland, Maine.
• Transportation Program Community-driven, trauma-informed multilingual transportation for non-emergency medical appointments, social services, food access, immigration appointments, and school transportation. Staff speak more than 10 languages. Target audience: immigrants in Maine needing transportation to essential appointments.
• Welcoming The Stranger Program Matches volunteers with immigrant individuals and families to provide a warm welcome to the Greater Portland community, offering cross-cultural friendships and assistance with accessing resources. Target audience: newly arrived immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in Greater Portland.
• #WEOUTSIDE Outdoor Recreation Program Outdoor recreation program offering different age groups opportunities to experience Maine's outdoors across seasons, in partnership with the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust. Includes youth, adults, and elders learning outdoor activities. Target audience: immigrant youth, adults, and elders in Maine.
• Women's Wellness Wellness workshops held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, cultivating safe nurturing spaces where women can come together for self-care activities including cooking, art, gardening, and meaningful conversation. Target audience: immigrant women in the Greater Portland area.
• #GOALS Program Supports young people in high schools to articulate and reach their academic, personal, and wellness goals through bi-weekly meetings and seasonal retreats in natural settings. Target audience: immigrant high school youth in Maine.
• Older Adults Wellness Wellness workshops for older adults to combat isolation among immigrant communities, with staff facilitating on-site activities encouraging physical and mental wellness plus community outings for natural support. Target audience: older immigrant adults in the Greater Portland area.
• Resources Knowledgebase Extensive community-wide resource collection with tips, articles, documents, and Q&A on topics affecting the immigrant community including child services, clothing, education, employment, food, health, housing, legal, and taxes. Target audience: immigrants in Maine seeking self-service resource information.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120+ mentoring partnerships created
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and historical.

• Maine Immigrant and Refugee Commission (MIRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIRC is a key partner providing support and advocacy for immigrant and refugee communities in Maine.
• Greater Portland HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing clinical services and referrals for immigrant patients.
• Maine Medical Center / Maine HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare system partner providing medical services and health education.
• Opportunity AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing social services, mental health, and childcare programs.
• Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal partner providing immigration legal resources and asylum process guidance.
• Good Shepherd Food BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partner providing food access resources for immigrant communities.
• Hope ActsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing work authorization assistance and support services.
• Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust (MATLT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor partner for #WEOUTSIDE program providing access to Maine's outdoors for immigrant youth and families.
• Jewish Community Alliance (JCA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing community resources and support for immigrant families.
• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor partner for wilderness programming and outdoor education.
• Temple Beth ElhistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal fiscal sponsor for Welcoming the Stranger program when it was founded in 2015.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• HIAS: Global Jewish nonprofit providing refugee resettlement and integration services in the US. Comparable in mission (refugee resettlement), service mix (welcome programs, mental health support, community integration), with significantly broader geographic reach.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): One of the largest global refugee resettlement and integration organizations. Operates across multiple states with resettlement, employment, and wellness programs for refugees and immigrants, directly overlapping MANA's service model at greater scale.
• Catholic Charities USA: National umbrella for Catholic Charities agencies providing immigrant services, refugee resettlement, and social support across the US. Represents the broader network that includes Catholic Charities Maine.
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS): National faith-based organization serving refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants through resettlement, family reunification, and integration services. Comparable mission and service portfolio with much larger scale.

Regional players

• Jewish Family Service of Portland (JFS): Regional social services organization serving immigrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations in the Greater Portland area. MANA partners with the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA), a closely affiliated organization, making JFS a regionally adjacent peer.
• Refugee Services of Texas: Large refugee resettlement agency in Texas providing similar services (resettlement, employment, mental health, youth programs). Comparable service model but operates in a different regional market.

Emerging players

• Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC): Community-based nonprofit serving African immigrants and refugees through resettlement, employment, and cultural integration programs. Overlaps with MANA's focus on Central/East African immigrant communities.

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities Maine: Maine-based social services nonprofit serving immigrant, refugee, and low-income populations across the state. Directly comparable in mission (immigrant integration), service mix (case management, resettlement, mental health), and geographic footprint (Maine).
• Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP): Maine's only nonprofit immigration legal services organization. While focused on legal services, ILAP serves the same immigrant population and is an active MANA partner, making it a directly comparable peer in the immigrant-services ecosystem.
• Maine Immigrant and Refugee Commission (MIRC): State-level advisory body that partners with MANA on immigrant and refugee advocacy in Maine. Highly comparable in geographic focus and immigrant-serving mission, though it operates more as a coordinating/advocacy entity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mainemana

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Maine Association for New Americans (MANA)