Over the past year, Southern Maine Agency on Aging has experienced one of the most significant periods of growth in its history – an expansion driven by one clear goal: ensuring that older adults across Southern Maine can access the services and support they need, closer to home.

That vision came to life as SMAA expanded from one center in Biddeford to a network of three – opening the Springvale Center in 2024, followed by the Portland Center last month. These expansions represent more than just new buildings; they are the result of listening, and strategic planning around access and innovation.

“Our expansion is about more than geography – it’s about meeting people where they are,” said Megan Walton, Chief Executive Officer of SMAA. “We know that older adults and their families thrive when services are local, visible, and responsive to their community’s unique needs. This growth reflects our commitment to making that a reality across Southern Maine.”

Why Expansion Became Essential

The idea of broadening SMAA’s footprint has been percolating for some time. As Chief Operating Officer Renee Longarini and the leadership team examined how deeply SMAA’s nutrition and meal programs were embedded in their communities, it became clear that the organization was sitting on untapped potential.

“We had the community presence,” Renee explained, “but we weren’t fully leveraging it.”

The pandemic and the sale of SMAA’s Scarborough office – which led to consolidating all operations at the Sam L. Cohen Center in Biddeford – created a turning point. For the first time, all programs operated under one roof, increasing synergy among teams and improving visibility for clients. The experience underscored a key insight: when programs are more accessible, engagement and outcomes improve.

Around the same time, national conversations about the growing needs of older adults and barriers to service access inspired the team to think bigger – envisioning “programs without walls” and reimagining what aging support could look like in Maine. The message was clear: to meet the moment, SMAA needed to expand.

Choosing Where to Grow

When SMAA began evaluating potential new locations, two areas stood out immediately – Springvale and Portland.

In Springvale, the need was urgent. Many older adults in rural and western York County faced long travel times and limited transportation options. With the right partners and community support, the Springvale Center quickly took shape – serving as a pilot for what future expansions could achieve.

The Portland Center, which opened this October, fulfills another long-held goal: reestablishing a strong presence in Cumberland County after the move from Scarborough. Its location offers easy highway access, ample parking, and visibility in a diverse, growing urban community.

The Impact So Far

The results in Springvale have been immediate and powerful. From the first day, residents began walking in, sharing that without this new center, they would not have been able to access SMAA’s programs. During last year’s Medicare open enrollment period, 34 people said they could participate only because of the local presence.

In its first year, the Springvale Center connected 549 new individuals to SMAA services, welcomed 180 new Meals on Wheels clients, and saw its Community Café events reach capacity from the very start.

Looking Ahead

The vision for the Portland Center is to create a vibrant space that reflects the community it serves – offering culturally responsive programs and ensuring access for all older adults.

To go from one center to three in less than a year is extraordinary. Yet for SMAA, this is just the beginning. The team is already exploring opportunities in Western Cumberland County and beyond — continuing to innovate, collaborate, and expand in ways that bring connection and care to even more older Mainers.

“This kind of growth doesn’t happen in isolation,” said Walton. “It’s fueled by the generosity of donors, partners, and community members who believe in our mission. Every contribution helps us reach more people, build stronger connections, and ensure that every older adult in Southern Maine has the opportunity to live with dignity and purpose.”