January 2026

Hello Friends,

It is hard to believe we are in our 3 year of our Dreamcatchers program. We are thrilled to share Rivers & Roads has our first 9th grade cohort attending Fryeburg Academy this year. This is huge for our tiny organization that will be supporting 27 students in 2 schools this year.

As an organization, we also continue to grow and strive for new heights. Tim Wylie joined the board of Rivers & Roads. Kayrin Johnson, is in her 3rd year as our program coordinator and working alongside our co-founder and Executive Director Meredith McClurg. Her love of the outdoors and fantastic sense of adventure is a perfect match for our youth led programming. Director of Development and co-founder Jennifer Haiken-Santora continues to build new relationships and strengthen partnerships. 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 over the next six years, 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 develop the emotional skills and resilience needed to not only get into college but to stick with their education and obtain a degree no matter what challenges arise along the way. Dreamcatcher participants develop the core skills that any future employer will be seeking: leadership, problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking, planning, and communication skills.

Students growing up in these rural parts of Maine are still craving opportunities for connection – both with their peers, adults and mentors. Our participants needed year-round support, high-level support in their academic setting and 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, our partnership with Aspirations Incubator, Molly Ockett Middle School and Fryeburg Academy is stronger than ever, yet we still need your support for our Dreamcatchers Program.

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 both individually and as a cohort and providing full academic support during the school day. This is our third 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 and for the first year at Fryeburg Academy. 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 and beyond.

With much gratitude,

Jennifer, Meredith & Tim

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.

Rivers & Roads

"Creating A Path to Purpose For Young People Growing Up in Rural Maine."

Team Members