The list below has been compiled by the Age Friendly Committee to assist community members with finding local resources. Below, resources and descriptions will be found organized by the type of need.
Age Friendly Windham Community Survey results – Click to read more about the community survey. The survey was the result of a town-wide forum to discover what needs exist and what should be explored to improve Windham’s livability as community members age in place.
Age Friendly State Plan – Click to read Maine’s State Plan
Housing:
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program – LIHEAP Maine State Housing Authority
LIHEAP provides money to help low-income homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. There are income guidelines for eligibility. Applications are accepted from August 1 through April 30 each year.
Contact: 207-523-5049 People aged 62+ can contact local Windham officials for their application. Contact Rene Daniel at 892-1906
Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors – The mission of Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors is to provide one-time emergency assistance to Windham residents experiencing a critical need for heating fuel, to help direct individuals to appropriate long-term resources and to promote a culture of neighbors helping neighbors. Telephone #: 892-3507
Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center – Five local churches along with St. Joseph’s College are coming together to help older people stay in their homes by providing help with repairs to their homes. This program is staffed with volunteers from the lakes region and will focus on Windham, Raymond and Standish. Contact: Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing c/o North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail Windham, Maine 04062. Sebagofullerhousinginfo@gmail.com
Opportunity Alliance – The Opportunity Alliance works with people to help them build better lives and stronger communities. There are 46 integrated programs and services such as help for fuel and housing assistance, employment and financial counseling, a senior companion program, and mental health crisis intervention services.
Contact: Tel 1-800-698-4959
Senior Property Tax Assistance – Town of Windham- must be 65 years old, have a home in Windham that you have lived in for the whole year prior to application, been a Windham resident for at least the last five (5) years, have paid property taxes in Windham Oct.2 and April 1 and have an annual household income Less than (amount to be determined prior to July 1, 2025). The maximum benefit is $700 but could be less depending on your actual property taxes and your annual income.
Contact – Tammy Hodgman, Town Managers Office. 207-892-1907 Town website – How Do I -Apply for – Senior Property Tax Assistance
Maine Housing through Nesterly – Homesharing is one way to address Maine’s severe shortage of affordable housing while also benefiting older residents looking to remain in their homes. In 2023, state lawmakers tasked MaineHousing with creating and testing out an effective, accessible way for homeowners with a room to rent to match with potential tenants. Nesterly hosts the online matching platform. For more about Nesterly, click this link: https://www.nesterly.com/
Windham Parks and Recreation:
Windham Parks and Recreation – The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department is to create a sense of community through people, parks and programs. The department offers senior outings and adult-friendly programs. There is financial assistance for seniors over 55+ with partial subsidy vouchers for programs and classes. There is also a free opportunity offered in conjunction with Social Services for shopping in North Windham on Thursday mornings. There is a senior newsletter that is put out 3 times a year- if you’d like to be added to the mailing list there is a cut-out on the back of every newsletter that you can mail in or you can call the office. Contact: Adult and Senior Program Coordinator – Maria Goodstein Tel. 892-1905 email: Parks&Recreation@windhammaine.us
Windham’s Parks and Preserves – The Windham Parks and Recreation Department works to maintain close to 500 acres of parks and preserves for the citizens of the Town of Windham. Each park, trail and preserve holds its own uniqueness, with some pretty amazing “gems” right here in our own back yard. Plenty of outdoor opportunities await every season. Windham’s parks and preserves offer a wide variety of activity opportunities for just about every interest. Swimming, paddling, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, skateboarding, and much more. For more information, please click here.
Outdoor Spaces/Buildings:
AARP Maine – AARP Maine is in communities across the state working with residents and elected officials to make our state a great place for people of all ages to call home. They are advocates for legislative issues that impact families such as caregiving, financial security, healthcare, utilities and prescription prices. They provide valuable educational resources and information to help people live their best life now and in the future. They provide educational workshops and activities ranging from tax or ID theft to improving balance or safety for pedestrians. Contact: states.aarp.org or 1-866-554-5380
Lakes Region Senior Center – At Little Falls Activity Center, 40 Acorn Street, Gorham. Welcomes seniors 50 plus for a variety of activities such as card games, memoir writing and a walking program in the gym. Crafters are also welcome and can come and work on their projects. There is an annual $10 membership fee. Activities are offered different days of the week so check the Windham Eagle Calendar for activity dates. Contact: Lrseniors@gmail.com (207) 892-3508
Transportation:
RTP – Region Transportation Program – Lakes Region Explorer (CLICK HERE for route and schedule), RTP provides transportation on buses, vans, and with volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles. Designated as a Regional Transportation Corporation, the agency also provides scheduled weekday public transportation with its “Lakes Region Explorer” to several locations between the Town of Bridgton and the City of Portland. They also provide transportation to medical appointments, work, entertainment and food shopping.
Contact: (207) 774-2666
RTP QuickRides – RTP now has a mobile app where riders can request a ride directly from their smartphone. The Quick Ride Service costs $3 each way, and runs Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm.
AFWRides – Ride appointments to medical appointments and other neccessary visits a well as activities. Free service provided to Windham citizens. For scheduled appointments in Greater Portland or for a ride to an event in town, call 892-4649. Leave a message with your name, address, phone number and the day, time and location of your destination. You will receive confirmation when a volunteer has been found to drive you. Requests for a ride need to be made in the week prior to the ride. We cannot accommodate last minute requests.
AFW Weekly Shopping Trip – Free service provided to Windham citizens. Community members are picked up at their home and brought to North Windham for shopping. Space is very limited – call (207) 892-4649 to register.
Social:
Local Churches Food and Fellowship- Thursday Meals –The Thursday Meal program is a free meal prepared and served on Thursdays at 5-6 pm by local churches and service groups. Churches: Windham Hill UCC & St. Ann’s Episcopal. Location for every week is listed in News.
All of the churches help putting on a picnic and a community Thanksgiving meal. Contact: Call- 892-9212
Windham Public Library – The Windham Public Library is the municipal library for the Town of Windham, ME. The library offers books, magazines, and graphic novels in print and digital format as well as music CD’s, audiobooks, and DVDs/Blu-Rays. The library hosts a variety of programs for all ages. Tech Help is available on Wednesday 3-4pm. Click the website link for a full calendar of events.
Contact: Jennifer Alvino, Library Director 892-1908
Saint Joseph’s College Institute For Integrative Aging – The Institute for Integrative Aging provides a creative age-friendly, intergenerational learning environment aimed at combating social isolation and loneliness for older adults. They are creating a student body and workforce that is well-equipped to support a rapidly growing aging population. Through education, social and spiritual enrichment, rural connectivity, fitness and wellness and a planned residential community, they are building a community focused on a holistic approach to aging through community partnership, wellness and lifelong learning.
Contact 893-7641
The Silver Sneakers Program at Saint Joseph’s College is focused on health and fitness for older adults. Classes for stability and balance, muscle conditioning, flexibility, and water exercises are available. Some insurance plans cover the cost of courses. You can check the above website to see if you qualify.
Contact Jenna Chase 893-6627. jchase@sjcme.edu
Windham Raymond Adult Education – The Adult education program provides affordable, high quality opportunities that encourages life-long learning. Offerings include academic, career and personal enrichment.
Contact: 892-1819 Tom Nash Director 406 Gray Road, Windham Maine 04062. (White portable in back of the high school gym- separate parking and entrance)
TRIAD: Gorham, Windham, Westbrook – TRIAD is an organization where senior citizens work together with healthcare business partners and law enforcement to enhance the quality of life for our seniors. They have offered programs such as Safe Driving, Safety at home, and fraud prevention. One program, Rise and Shine, is a free program that is designed to assist older adults who are living alone in our communities. Upon completion of an application, a trained and vetted volunteer will contact the older adult daily for a check in. If you can’t be reached, a police officer will conduct a wellness check at the home.
Contact: Buffy Houp Tel. 229-9050
RSU14 Windham Ramond Schools Athletic Events – The Windham/Raymond schools offer $1.00 admission at the door or gate to athletic events for seniors for all football, soccer, basketball and hockey games. All other sporting events are free to the public.
Contact: Nathan Pelletier, Athletic Director 892-1810 #5. (http://www.rsu14.org Department – Athletics)
Opportunity Alliance Foster Grandparent Program – This is a Senior Corps Volunteer program for people age 55 and older who donate their time to mentor/tutor children in schools, daycare centers, after school /summer programs and in Head Start. Volunteers serve 15-40 hours per week providing support to struggling students.
Contact: Opportunity Alliance 773-0202. fgp@opportunityalliance.org 222 St. John Street. Suite 302B, Portland, Maine 04102
Booklist on Solo Aging: This booklist explores the topic of solo aging, offering guidance, inspiration, and practical advice for navigating later life independently. From planning for the future to cultivating community and purpose, these titles empower readers to age with confidence and connection.
Communications:
2-1-1 Maine – 2-1-1 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 hours a day, 7 days a week. Finding the answers to health and human services questions and local resources is a quick as dialing 2-1-1 or visit the website 211 Maine Website.
Community Support/Healthcare:
Southern Maine Agency on Aging – SMAA provides residents of Cumberland county with resources and assistance to address issues and concerns of aging. Programs are designed to foster independence, reduce burden on families and caregivers and promote an active and healthy lifestyle for individuals as they age. Programs such as insurance counseling, managing caregiving including respite care, the Maine Senior Games, Meals on Wheels, dementia care and therapeutic activities and the monthly Community Café at Unity Gardens on the third Thursday of the month.
Phone 396-6591 or 1-800-427-7411
Windham Public Library – The Windham Public Library is the municipal library for the Town of Windham, ME. The library offers books, magazines, and graphic novels in print and digital format as well as music CD’s, audiobooks, and DVDs/Blu-Rays. The library hosts a variety of programs for all ages. Tech Help is available on Mondays from 4:30- 5:30 and Thursday from 10:30 – 11:30. Knitters and More meet on Tuesdays from 1-3 pm.
Contact: Jennifer Alvino, Library Director 892-1908
Legal Services for the Elderly (LSE) – LSE provides free high quality legal services to low-income adults 60and over. They provide free legal advice regarding health care, health insurance, Medicare, MaineCare, Social Security and other public benefits, pension and retirement benefits, power of attorney, guardianship and other issues.
Contact: 1-800-750-5353
TIP – The Trauma Intervention Program – The TIP program is a group of highly trained volunteers who provide emotional and practical support to survivors of traumatic events and their families within the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event.
Contact: TIP of Greater Portland, Maine 207-619-1175
Town of Windham Social Services – Located at 377 Gray Road
Clothes Closet – open to Windham residents and non-residents in need of clothing. Open Monday and Tuesday 10-12 p.m. Phone 892-1906
The Windham Food Pantry is open to Windham residents with proof of residency. Residents are provided with food on a monthly basis. Please call for an appointment. Food and non-food donations are accepted Monday- Thursday 8am-4:30 pm Phone 892-1931
Medical Loan Closet – located on Windham Center Road next to the library Tel. (207) 894-5999 ext.1111. The Loan closet provides residents with wheelchairs and other equipment for medical and physical needs. The closet is staffed by volunteers and open by appointment only.
Sand Buckets at Police Station – You can call to get a sand bucket to protect from slips and falls in dangerous weather delivered to your house. Call (207) 892-1919 ex. 4601 to request and set up the delivery.