Claude Rwaganje was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and due to political upheaval, became a refugee in Central Africa in the early 1990s. In the DRC, he was an advocate for the most marginalized members of the community. Claude spoke out on behalf of the people, despite the potential danger of angering the regime.
In mid-1990’s, Claude immigrated to the United States, where he continued his advocacy for his tribe the Banyamulenge. During this time, his former community, in the DRC, was still facing massacre, genocide, illegal arrest and unwarranted imprisonment.
Claude earned his B.S. in Business Administration, with a focus in Finance at the University of Southern Maine in 2003. master’s degree in business administration from Phoenix University. He is certified by NeighborWorks as Coach and Housing Councilor since 2011 and attends a financial coaching and counseling conference every year.
In the Mid 2000’s he founded ProsperityME a non-profit organization based in Portland and Lewiston. Today the agency has six full time staff who support several programs including; financial education, counseling and coaching; housing support (in partnership with Infinity Federal Credit Union); Workforce Development (in collaboration with Portland Adult Education); small business startup and development; and supporting higher education through Scholarship.
Now settled in Westbrook with his wife and three children, Claude continues to invest his time in his community. He has received several awards and recognitions for his education support, financial management training, leadership and creativity. In 2017 he received a public sector leadership award from the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is also a recipient of the 2013 Harward Center Community Partner Award for Outstanding New Initiative, given by Bates College. In 2012, he received The Spirit of Service Award, in recognition of exceptional service for the benefit of society, given by Bowdoin College and the Joseph McKeen Center for the Common Good. Also in 2012, he was named by the Portland Press Herald among ten Mainers to be thankful for, for their community service, defined as “People who worked diligently, often without recognition, to; comfort, protect, nurture, inspire, and so make our world a better place”.
Claude has used his financial and business knowledge to help many community organizations. He currently serves on several boards of directors and councils including; New England Community Development Council with Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; the United Way of Greater Portland; the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce; Avesta Housing Home Ownership Center Advisory Committee and the Intercultural Community Center (both as a member and treasurer). Additionally, Claude served a three-year term as a member of the Community Development Block Grant Committee (CDBG Committee) which managed a $2,000,000 HUD grant. The grant serves many non-profits and agencies.
Leading up to his decision to run for local office, Claude joined other New Mainers to organize an Election Center during the last Maine’s governor’s race. In this he was involved in helping people to register to vote and to help them get to their polling stations. It was this process that inspired him to run and serve the residents of Westbrook.