Omar Hassan

Professional Impact

Omar Hassan is a visionary leader whose work has profoundly strengthened Lewiston-Auburn’s immigrant and refugee communities. As Executive Director of United Youth Empowerment Services (UYES) for more than a decade, he has built programs that reach over 500 youth and families each year—fostering education, mentorship, recreation, and leadership growth. His collaborative approach bridges organizations, schools, and faith communities, creating a network of support for immigrant youth. In addition to his leadership at UYES, Omar serves as a Cooperative Developer and Technical Advisor at the Cooperative Development Institute, empowering immigrant-led cooperatives across Maine. His deep expertise in cooperative development, coupled with his multilingual communication skills, makes him a trusted advocate and community builder.

Personal Passions

Omar’s greatest fulfillment comes from seeing the next generation thrive. He takes pride in initiatives like the Youth Empowerment and Gun Violence Prevention Project and the Lewiston–Auburn Summer Soccer League, both of which combine healing, teamwork, and leadership for local youth. His Veggie Drive partnership with New Roots Cooperative Farm reflects his commitment to health, food access, and cultural connection. Beyond his professional roles, Omar enjoys family time with his wife and six children, mentoring young athletes, playing soccer, and helping his mother at the farm—a balance of service, family, and community spirit that fuels his purpose.

Love for Androscoggin

For Omar, Androscoggin County embodies unity, diversity, and opportunity. His local “starter kit” includes Kennedy Park, where community life thrives; New Roots Farm, symbolizing empowerment through agriculture; the Great Falls Balloon Festival, a celebration of connection; and the Summer Soccer League, where teamwork brings people together. These spaces capture what he values most about Lewiston-Auburn—a welcoming, resilient community where people lift one another up and every individual has the chance to belong and succeed.