CELEBRATING SUMMER, GROWTH, AND SUCCESS |
|
After such a soggy start, we hope you've been finding ways to enjoy Maine despite the wet weather this summer! In case you missed our May event, in this issue you can read about the Voices of Youth panel at our 2023 Annual Celebration. Continue reading to learn about our recent graduates, New Beginnings in the community, our supporter spotlight, updates to our Drop-In Center hours, agency updates, current wish list, and more!
THANK YOU! Our work would not be possible without your support.
Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates and how you can
make a difference for runaway & homeless youth in Maine.
|
|
YOUTH STORY: Spotlight on the Annual Celebration Panel Speakers
|
|
Celebrating Voices of Youth |
|
On May 24, 2023, the rainy weather didn’t stop New Beginnings’ supporters, sponsors, staff, and Youth Action Board (YAB) members from gathering at the beautiful Maine Wedding Barn in Minot. After years of virtual events, it was wonderful to see 100+ people come together in person to celebrate our mission. The evening featured welcome from our Board of Directors, updates from Executive Director Chris Bicknell, 2023 Service Award given to Lauren Bustard (see page 3), and an outstanding “Voices of Youth” panel of young people (ranging from age 19-33) who were either NB alumni or current YAB members. The YAB worked ahead of time with panel moderator and Development Director Rachel Spencer-Reed to develop questions that allowed panelists to share the impact NB has had from their own unique perspectives. |
|
1. How has participating with NB or YAB supported your goals? Bev shared that she wants to be a “confident and educated leader for the next generation of young people.” She currently serves on New Beginnings’ Board and the YAB and feels both support her passion for ending youth homelessness and connect her to others who care about the same things. Matt said that in addition to “shelter, safety, and sustenance,” NB offered opportunities to feel uplifted and supported as a teenager with a troubled home life.
2. Can you share an example of what work or project you are most proud of that you’ve worked on in your life? Maddie said, “At my high school vocational center I got my EMT license at age 18 … if someone goes down, I know what to do.” Bev was most proud of building the YAB’s recent Authentic Youth Engagement Training for educators. Matt volunteers weekly at Auburn’s Pleasant Street Drop-In Center to offer unhoused adults some of the same welcome, compassion, and respect that he found at NB.
|
|
3. What are some of your goals or dreams for the future, now? Matt shared that he’s about to become a father, “I would like that child to live in a world where people experiencing poverty and homelessness are not looked down upon” and are seen as worthy of the opportunity to live meaningful lives. Maddie hopes to own land and horses, and work with animals. Julia shared that one of her dreams is to work in the medical field. As a young mom of 4 kids (including an 11-month-old), she’s looking forward to training to become a lactation consultant to help other moms like herself.
4. What was most helpful to you when you were struggling in the past? Matt said that other people who were kind, patient, and compassionate were the most helpful, “Without them I wouldn’t be who I am today. We can only do so much alone; we can do a lot more together.” Julia shared that the YAB was there for her when she was struggling and made her feel she wasn’t alone in experiencing homelessness as a teen. “The YAB taught me that youth need to have a voice and helped encourage me to help other youth with lived experiences to … stand up for themselves, advocate for themselves … Be BIG.”
|
|
"Practice does not make perfect, I believe practice makes better, because nothing is perfect.”
-- Maddie
|
|
5. What is one thing that adults can do to help youth succeed and reach their goals? Julia said, “Just listen to them.” Bev wants adults to create dialogue, establish safe spaces, and connect youth with proper resources. Maddie suggested giving youth as many options as possible, supporting the youth in deciding what’s good for them, and then sticking with them the whole way (even if they backtrack). “Practice does not make perfect, I believe practice makes better, because nothing is perfect here.”
The panel concluded with audience questions and a standing ovation. NB helped each panelist on a small step of their journey, and we’re grateful to all of them for sharing their wisdom. Bev said it best when she emphasized that all youth need opportunities to learn skills to survive, but that “Everybody in this room deserves to succeed, and not just survive.”
|
|
Thank you to our
2023 ANNUAL Celebration sponsors!
|
|
THANK YOU
TO OUR
EVENT SPONSOR:
|
|
Gold Sponsors:
Androscoggin Bank
Clark Insurance
Geiger
Forage
Maine Community Bank
Varney Insurance & Bonding
John T. Gorman Foundation
|
|
Silver Sponsors:
Northeast Bank
Rene Roy Photography
Water Cat Productions
Head to Toe Physical Therapy
Shukie and Segovias Attorneys
|
|
Lewiston Youth Outreach Drop-In Center
Now Open
7 Days a Week
New Beginnings' Street Outreach Program is proud to announce that Drop-In is now open 7 days per week from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, serving both breakfast and lunch daily!
If you would like to learn more about our Drop-In Center at
134 College Street in Lewiston or our Street Outreach Program
be sure to visit our website at:
|
|
Pictured above: Street Outreach Program staff Jarrod Warren and Jason Lamontagne stand next to the program van before heading out from Drop-In on foot to distribute goods and resources to street youth in downtown Lewiston.
|
|
Since collaborating with Auburn Adult Education, the Education and Employment program has been able to provide more opportunities for New Beginnings youth to access educational resources than ever. This year the program saw 11 individuals graduate from high school this spring, with 2 more on track to graduate in the fall. Students that were once disconnected from school have been able to reconnect and thrive in an environment that is conducive to each person’s needs. Congratulations
Class of 2023!
For more information on the Education and Employment program, check out our website or contact Program Coordinator, Sygne Lynch at slynch@newbeginmaine.org
|
|
GRANT GRATITUDE
Since the start of 2023 New Beginnings has received grants from several community businesses and foundations serving Maine and New England, including Androscoggin Bank, United Way of Androscoggin County, John T. Gorman Foundation, Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Maine Community Foundation, City of Lewiston Home- ARP and CBDG, and the Glickman Family Foundation. We are deeply grateful for your support of the youth we serve.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
You can make a difference in the lives of youth! We are hiring with openings in outreach, shelter, TLP, and administration and we offer excellent benefits. Visit newbeginmaine.org/jobs to learn more! |
|
Melissa Farinas, NB Board Treasurer |
|
Melissa works for Androscoggin Bank and is an avid supporter and engaged member of our Board of Directors. She is persistent in being available whenever needed for events or projects. When Melissa was asked to speak in our Annual Celebration about why she serves on the Board, she did not hesitate to share:
“When I was asked to join the board I was really honored. I live and work in this community. I’ve seen the tremendous need for services NB provides. My reason is also very personal. We have three wonderful children. When my daughter came out to us in elementary school her life got a bit harder than her siblings. There were things in her life she’d have to deal with that they didn’t have to face. My ask of you all is to think about ways you can help, that aren’t just monetary. We have other things in our lives that we can do to support New Beginnings besides money.”
|
|
Thank you to our Board of Directors for their dedication and service.
Pictured left to right: Chelsea Amaio, Beverly H., Nancy Grenier, Molly Shukie, Melissa Hue, Steven McDermott, Melissa Farinas, and Peggy McRae
|
|
Interested in learning more about serving on New Beginnings
Board of Directors or as an advisor?
|
|
In 2015 New Beginning’s Board of Directors established a service award to be given at the annual dinner to “honor a person or organization who has shown dedication and service to New Beginnings, or who has made a significant contribution in the areas of youth development, child welfare, or homelessness through advocacy and strong commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable young people in Maine.” This year’s award was presented to Lauren Bustard for efforts to support, help fund, and promote the work of the Youth Action Board (YAB) on a system level for the YAB's first 5 years. |
|
Pictured left to right: Dan Brennan Director of MaineHousing; award recipient Lauren Bustard, Senior Director of Programs and Director of the Housing Choice Voucher Program; and Chris Bicknell, Executive Director of New Beginnings
|
|
New Beginnings has been present at several events in Lewiston-Auburn, and the surrounding towns and communities across the 9 counties we serve. We have had the opportunity to march at PRIDE L/A, make new connections at the Auburn Housing and Employment Symposium, greet community members in Bath and Farmington, and hand out supplies at Community Concepts Community Block Party. |
|
Kelly Colbath answering questions at Lost Valley during Androscoggin Banks’ Community Day. |
|
|
Summer clothing, T-shirts, & Shoes in new/good condition
Bug Spray
Tents
Working Bicycles
New Men’s and women’s underwear all sizes and styles
Men’s shoes – Size 12 and up
Details and updates online:
Is your buisness, church, or group interested in hosting a donation drive?
We welcome in-kind donations of needed wish list items year-round.
Please contact Nicole with any questions: 207-795-4077.
|
|
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Visit:
to see all of our current openings.
|
|
New Beginnings is funded in part by the State of Maine and US Departments of Health & Human Services, Family & Youth Services Bureau, Housing & Urban Development, City of Lewiston, and United Way. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
‌