Peer Workforce Navigator

In February 2022, Maine AFL-CIO won a grant from the Maine Department of Labor to create a Peer Workforce Navigator program, resulting from a 2021 law put forth by the Coalition to improve the unemployment (UI) system. Maine AFL-CIO sub-granted to FAM (and three other organizations:  Maine Equal Justice, Prosperity Maine and Gateway Community Services) to hire a Navigator for the two year duration of the pilot program. Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness joined the program in 2023 as well.

Currently, only 1 of 4 eligible Maine people receive unemployment benefits (!). The primary focus of the program is to improve the recipiency rate, and to guide workers to new jobs (especially union jobs), education and other resources.

Being part of the Peer Workforce Navigator program is a natural fit for FAM, having been founded in 2002 on support for laid off mill workers. We plan to expand our Navigator program to include a number of Volunteer Navigators and will share more about that soon. There are also plans in the works for even more support for Maine's workers, so stay tuned for that too!

People needing assistance with Unemployment Insurance process, or other resources resulting from being unemployed or underemployed, can use the button at the top of this page.