The Looking Ahead Clubhouse Partners with GAHS to Make a Difference!
The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society is fortunate to have the support of many compassionate individuals and organizations in our community. Right now, we’re especially excited to highlight a wonderful initiative underway thanks to the Looking Ahead Clubhouse in Lewiston! They’ve launched a heartwarming donation drive called PAUSE FOR PAWS running now through August 15th, all to benefit the animals here at the GAHS.
This thoughtful effort was inspired by a combination of personal experience and a deep connection to animals shared by the members of the Looking Ahead Clubhouse. As Keith Jalbert, Assistant Director, explains, “PAUSE FOR PAWS was borne out of a few things. The first being the loss of my bestie, Bailey (greatest dog ever), who I adopted from the GAHS.” This personal loss and the joy Bailey brought to his life sparked a desire to give back to the organization that brought them together.
But the inspiration didn’t stop there. Keith also noted, “how much the members (of the Clubhouse) love animals and the GAHS. I’ll bet most of the animal companions, whether of members or staff, are from the shelter. All of mine are!” This shared love for animals and the positive impact the GAHS has had on their lives fueled the idea of a collective effort to support our shelter.
Beyond their love of animals, the Looking Ahead Clubhouse has an even deeper motivation for this initiative. “Even though it is 2025, many (Clubhouse members) still deal with the stigma of having a mental health diagnosis. While our first two reasons are pretty self-explanatory, the last was trying to think of ways we can give back to L/A and also help people feel more comfortable around the mental health community,” Keith shared. “We all love your work and people, in general, love animals. It seemed like a natural fit.”
This beautiful partnership highlights the power of community support and the understanding that kindness knows no bounds. “We decided one of the best things we could do is work with the community to gather supplies for GAHS,” Keith adds. The members of the Looking Ahead Clubhouse are not only giving back to a cause they care about deeply but also fostering connection and understanding within the Lewiston/Auburn community.
Looking to join in on the PAUSE FOR PAWS efforts? Donations can be brought to the Looking Ahead Clubhouse through August 15th. Visiting the clubhouse will give community members the chance to see what it’s all about, too! They are located at 646 Main Street. Lewiston. The GAHS Wish List can be found HERE. Items like cleaning supplies, pet food (both wet and dry), toys, blankets, and enrichment items are always appreciated.
Please join us in our appreciation for the wonderful efforts of the Looking Ahead Clubhouse and their PAUSE FOR PAWS initiative! They truly are showing that together we can make a real difference in the lives of pets and people in our community!
