Penquis receives grant to assist survivors of human trafficking 

BANGOR – Penquis C.A.P., Inc. received a $20,000 grant from the John T. Gorman Foundation in support of the Housing Assistance for Victims/Survivors of Human Trafficking Program.

The program is a collaboration among Penquis, Rape Response Services, Partners for Peace and CourageLIVES. Together, they help survivors of human trafficking in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties secure safe, stable housing and access to resources that promote personal safety, autonomy, self-sufficiency and well-being.

The grant funding will directly assist 12 to 14 survivors with rent and essential needs, such as home supplies, clothing, and food.

Penquis Receives $20,000 grant to assist survivors of human trafficking in Maine. Human trafficking and exploitation are growing issues in Maine that continue to be underreported. It is estimated that 300 to 400 individuals experience sex trafficking in the state each year, though that number may be higher. In 2024 the Housing Assistance for Victims/Survivors of Human Trafficking Program supported 51 survivors of human trafficking in the two-county service area.

Penquis Family Enrichment Services Director Tamar Mathieu said, “Penquis is thankful for John T. Gorman’s support of our Housing Assistance for Victims/Survivors of Human Trafficking Program. With the Foundation’s support, we will continue to help survivors of human trafficking access the housing and basic needs to live safely and independently while preventing revictimization.”

Penquis is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1967 to assist individuals and families in improving their financial stability. Penquis programs and services focus efforts in four key areas: healthy lives, access to transportation, housing stability, and school readiness. Through its programs and subsidiaries, Penquis affects all of Maine’s sixteen counties but primarily serves individuals in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties. Approximately 5,000 people are served on any given day and more than 30,000 each year.

The John T. Gorman Foundation advances ideas and opportunities that can improve the lives of people in Maine, particularly those experiencing poverty. To achieve the greatest impact, the Foundation has a special interest in strengthening children and families and helping communities provide them with the supports and opportunities they need to thrive.