PORTLAND, Maine — Following the mass shootings in Lewiston, many people in Maine and outside the state are looking for ways to help others impacted by the mass shootings; it also serves as a platform for people who need resources including mental health services.
Gov. Janet Mills' administration and the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce came up with OneLewiston.org.
The fundraisers and GoFundMe pages here have been verified and are deemed trusted. Chamber of Commerce President Shanna Cox said this one site makes sure people avoid getting scammed when donating to random links they might find online or on social media pages. These fundraisers support victims, their family members, first responders, and small business owners as they try to get back on their feet.
People can also get links to mental health resources, crisis lines, teen service lines, informative videos, pamphlets, and other beneficial resources for all.
"All of those are really clear about the kind of verified, those are all foundations and the kind of funds that we are working with directly – those are stemming from conversations with the heads of the banks and the funds themselves. They are trusted and I trust their integrity and what they are going to do with the funds that are raised, and I think that is really important cause. There is so much out there that is not trusted; we saw that happen within the first 12 hours and it felt really important to make sure that people who wanted to give could give with confidence," Cox said.
There's also a way for people to donate blood, which is always needed.
"It's just really important that folks have one place to find information, and we know that the desire to give will continue but also the need for resources will probably grow in the coming weeks. And it's important to have a coordinated and trusted locations for those to be found," Cox said.
The Mills administration also created an additional trusted website "Healing Together" as a way to support victims, their loved ones, community organizations, and those involved in responding to the event.
Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services also has created a webpage, Behavioral Health Resources for Those Affected by the Violence in Lewiston, to help connect anyone affected by the violence in Lewiston with the support they need. The webpage includes resources for children and families.
The governor's office also announced a new form this week to help provide mental health support for organizations, companies, schools and other groups to coordinate mental health services for their people after last week's shootings.