Founded in 2008 by Claude Rwaganje — a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo — ProsperityME is a non-profit service organization dedicated to helping Maine’s immigrants and refugees build successful, rewarding lives in their new homeland. Our services are open to all refugees, immigrants, asylees, and low-income individuals in Greater Portland and Lewiston/Auburn, Maine.

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Many New Mainers come from cash-based societies and are unfamiliar with how money and credit work in America, our banking system and how to save for the future.  By providing basic money management understanding and skillsets, ProsperityME enables them to attain financial stability — the first step to fully integrating and participating in our communities, joining our workforce and planning for the future.

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In the 12 years since launching our first class, we have offered over 300 financial courses and workshops and helped over 5,000 immigrants, refugees and asylees understand their finances and start building a better future in the state of Maine. This number includes over 900 individual financial and college planning sessions with one of our financial counselors. Today, we welcome low-income individuals from all over the world and help them build a better future here in Maine.

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Our work is made possible by corporate partnerships and sponsorships, private donations and grants.  We are also grateful to the many volunteers who donate their valuable time and expertise to our programs and students.