MAINE LOVE: APRIL 22, 2025

When a young person has a PURPOSE they have a PATH to PURSUE. Feelings of validation, Intention & Self-worth emerge. Pride, Confidence, Curiosity & Contribution grows. With purpose there is now a MEANING for getting up in the morning. A REASON to show up. An inner DESIRE to live and to do good. It is a strong sense of purpose that paves the path to a pursuit of happiness, generosity, personal wellbeing & loving kindness.

It has been a transformational and busy time at Rivers & Roads! As you will read, we launched Dreamcatchers; a long-term mentoring program in the fall 2023, which included our first 7th grade cohort (class of 2029) at Molly Ockett School. This year we are thrilled to have 2 cohorts (our newest 7th grade cohort and our 8th grade cohort. Our students are craving opportunities for connection – both with their peers, our team leaders and mentors. But, after more than two years of running free summer programs we realized our participants needed year-round support and high-level support in the academic setting starting in middle school. With varying levels of isolation, depression and trauma, students today are particularly anxious in school. From managing emotions and expectations to peer pressures and homework assignments our students are at a loss.

In response, we have focused our efforts on a partnership with Aspirations Incubator and created Dreamcatchers; a six-year commitment that starts in seventh grade and lasts to and through high school graduation. We are spending even more informal relationship-building time with students at the Fryeburg Recreational Center both individually and as a cohort and providing full academic support. This is our second year providing In school academic support for our Dreamcatchers; in the classrooms and most importantly in collaboration with the teachers and school administration of Molly Ockett. MSAD 72 Middle School. More than ever, these relationships are essential in helping students build the trust, confidence, and resilience that is necessary to survive and thrive in high school.

As an organization, we also continue to grow and strive for new heights. Last fall, we hired Kayrin Johnson, our first AmeriCorps member to work alongside our co-founder and Executive Director Meredith McClurg. Kayrin brings experience working with youth in and out of the classroom. Her love of the outdoors and fantastic sense of adventure is a perfect match for our youth led programming. Kayrin is with this years 8th grade cohort for the 2024 -2025 school year, as our Program Manager. More exciting news of growth is Meaghan Bradbury joined Rivers & Roads through AmeriCorps’ VISTA program. working along side our Director of Development and co-founder Jennifer Haiken-Santora. Meaghan's past experiences with fundraising, grant writing, and data innovation projects with youth organizations in Maine have proven invaluable. Together we strive to expand capacity with the goal to sustain Rivers & Roads programming through the next decade.

As our students build strong and lasting support systems, their eyes are opened to new possibilities and a wide array of future career opportunities in Maine and throughout the world. These mentoring relationships also help them develop the emotional skills and resilience they will need to not only get to college but to stick with their education and obtain a degree no matter what challenges arise along the way. Dreamcatcher participants also develop the core skills that any future employer will be seeking: leadership, problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking, planning, and communication skills.

With much gratitude,

Jennifer & Meredith

April 22, 2025

MAINE LOVE: Creating a Path to Purpose for Young People in Oxford County, Maine

By Rivers & Roads Maine

MAINE LOVE: Creating a Path to Purpose for Young People in Oxford County, Maine

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