Strategies For A Stronger Sanford / Sanford Strong Coalition

Strategies for a Stronger Sanford (SFSS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Sanford, Maine working to ensure a strong future for the area by supporting children, youth and their families through fostering a shared community vision and promoting the development of a safe, healthy, and thriving community. To this end, the organization is working to build critical developmental assets, nurture key partnerships, develop effective strategies, and engage in programmatic work that focuses on substance abuse prevention, creating out-of-school programming for youth, and promoting innovative approaches to more effective student learning and development. The organization also provides staffing and support to the Sanford Strong Coalition, a coalition of local organizations working to implement innovative ways to help children, youth and their families to thrive. ? SFSS is about upholding local projects which support the needs of Sanford children, youth and families: The organization acts to provide infrastructural support (e.g., administrative assistance, accounting, office space) and other resources to the coalition and to other Sanford area initiatives. The organization provides a 501(c)3 structure to act as a fiscal sponsor for programming and projects as well as an organizational structure to provide staffing and governance of programming and projects. ? SFSS is about supporting coalition building: The organization views the Sanford Strong Coalition as a critical element in ensuring that the youth and families of Sanford thrive. ? SFSS is about providing information: The organization acts as a clearinghouse for information and resources to the community ? SFSS is about serving as an advocate for Sanford children & youth needs

Strategies for a Stronger Sanford is building a strong future for the city by engaging the community in effective strategies to support their children, youth and families. The organization nurtures partnerships, provides sustainability to community activities, and helps to create the local conditions necessary to foster a shared vision and promote the healthy development of a thriving city. Strategies for a Stronger Sanford (SFSS) began as a grass roots initiative to empower Sanford residents and establish communication in order to create solutions to community issues. This initiative evolved from a partnership of service providers, corrections and court staff in York County that in 2003 to 2004 sought and developed alternatives for sentencing. The mission was to build a community that would thrive and be supportive to all youth by way of leveraging the talent and resources of the full community. In 2007 Strategies for a Stronger Sanford received its 501(c)3 status. In 2009 SFSS helped to create what is today known as the Sanford Strong Coalition with a membership that has grown to over 100, including representatives of all sectors of the community. Sanford Strong Coalition is a partnership of residents, organizations, businesses and others invested in the future of Greater Sanford. The Coalition provides ways for the community to share information and access resources, while supporting initiatives to strengthen the health, well-being, and success of Sanford?s children, youth and their families. The Coalition is a governed by a steering committee, staffed by Strategies for a Stronger Sanford and supported by its members. Membership is free and open to anyone concerned about the future of Greater Sanford and its people.