About MPRC
History + Mission
Maine People’s Resource Center (MPRC) was founded in 1984 by leaders of Maine People’s Alliance (MPA), with whom we partner in advancing local, statewide and national campaigns for progressive social change.
Over the past four plus decades, MPRC has recruited and trained thousands of grassroots leaders, and educated hundreds of thousands of Mainers about legislative and ballot initiatives and the importance of voting to make their voices heard.
Support MPRC's Mission
Your gift will support MPRC’s work to empower grassroots leaders, and educate Mainers on ballot initiatives and the importance of making their voices heard:
Click here to make a contribution to MPRC or explore other ways to give to MPRC such as bequests and non-cash gifts.
Directors
Amy Halsted
Co-Director
Amy has worked with MPRC since 2001, when she joined as a Field Director overseeing regional door canvass efforts in Greater Portland. She went on to serve as MPRC’s Healthcare Community Organizer, then served for several years as Communications & Development Director, before becoming Associate Director in 2007, and joining Jesse as Co-Director in 2018. Amy has led a number of successful statewide legislative campaigns and in 2016 served as the Campaign Manager for the successful ballot initiative to increase Maine’s minimum wage. She has provided leadership to the growth of MPRC’s programs and staff, particularly in overseeing the growth of the organization’s communications department. Amy is a 2000 graduate of Bates College in Maine, with a degree in Economics (and a year of study at the London School of Economics).
Jesse Graham
Co-Director
Jesse has worked with MPRC since 1999, when he took a position as Field Director and oversaw regional door canvass efforts in Greater Bangor. He went on to become MPRC’s Environmental Community Organizer, and then served as Associate Director for several years, becoming Executive Director in 2006, a position he held until welcoming Amy Halsted as a Co-Director in 2018. During his tenure as Executive (and Co) Director of MPRC, Jesse has overseen significant growth of the organization’s programs and staff, and chaired multiple state and national coalitions. In 2015, his organizational leadership accomplishments positioned him to be one of 24 nationally-recognized leaders selected for participation in Rockwood Leadership Institute’s yearlong fellowship program. A native of Weld, Maine, Jesse graduated from the University of Vermont in 1998 with a degree in Environmental Studies and English.