Our Vision
The Opportunity Alliance envisions a community in which all people in Maine have access to high-quality childcare and early childhood education programs, safe and stable housing, effective and compassionate mental health and substance use treatment, and basic needs supports.
TOA is the Community Action Agency for Cumberland County. For 60 years, TOA has taken a whole-person, whole-family, and whole-community approach, delivering comprehensive services through connected programs and strong community partnerships. TOA is not just helping people navigate crises – we’re creating pathways to long-term stability, opportunity, and well-being for communities across Maine.
What might surprise you about The Opportunity Alliance
Each year TOA serves more than 24,000 people in the community. Many people have heard of one or more of our programs but are often surprised to learn they are part of TOA.
In Cumberland County, TOA is the organization behind Head Start and Early Head Start, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), HEAP (heating assistance), Foster Grandparents, and Maine Families. Statewide programs include the Maine Youth Action Network, 211 Maine, and the Maine Crisis Line/988. And there are dozens more programs! We provide homelessness support and housing navigation, mental health and substance use services, economic mobility coaching, case management and peer support, and programs for isolated seniors. In addition, TOA has five residential programs for adults living with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
Last year alone, TOA answered 53,000 calls to 211 Maine and almost 200,000 calls to 988. We responded to 2,000 people in crisis through our Mobile Crisis Unit, helped hundreds of children access medical and dental care, built a food closet in a school, distributed hundreds of winter coats, and engaged thousands of young people to develop leadership skills.
If it sounds like we do a lot, it’s because we do. And that’s intentional.
People don’t experience life’s challenges one at a time. There are multiple ways to access support and programming within TOA and our integrated approach connects people to the right combination of services, ensuring they receive coordinated, compassionate support that not only helps them through today’s crisis but creates lasting opportunities for tomorrow. Every day, and in times of crisis, help starts here.
A Leader in Maine’s Crisis Response
TOA’s crisis response traces back to 1970 with the launch of the 774 HELP hotline. In 2011 this hotline evolved into the Maine Crisis Line and TOA now operates the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for Maine. Through 988, its Mobile Crisis Unit, and Crisis Residential Unit, TOA is meeting people in crisis where they are and providing compassionate and clinical care.
TOA is nationally recognized and the only center in Maine accredited by the American Association of Suicidology and holds many additional accreditations.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, call or text 988 for free and confidential support 24/7.
How to support your neighbors
- Celebrate your community at RAISE on Oct. 22, 2026 at Grace (opportunityalliance.org/RAISE)
- Make a one-time or recurring gift – your support powers our work!
- Become a corporate sponsor
- Volunteer or host a drive for essentials like diapers
- Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter
