Midcoast Community Alliance

MERRYMEETING: In 2024, the Merrymeeting Support Collaborative played a critical role in identifying and supporting youth experiencing homelessness across the region. Through coordinated outreach, school partnerships, and wraparound services, the collaborative helped connect dozens of youth with housing support, case management, basic needs, and educational stability. The teams trauma-informed, youth-centered approach led to increased school attendance, improved mental health outcomes, and greater access to stable housing. The collaborative also strengthened relationships with local landlords and service providers, ensuring a more responsive and connected support network for vulnerable youth. We now have outreach workers in 4 school districts, working with the McKinney Vento Liaisons to identify and support youth. To date, we have served 109 people, 61 of them youth between the ages of 5-18, and an additional 45 unaccompanied youth.

WAYPOINT: The Waypoint Mentoring Program at Midcoast Youth Center continued to provide consistent, meaningful relationships between caring adult mentors and youth navigating personal and academic challenges. In 2024, the program successfully matched numerous youth with trained mentors, focusing on building trust, confidence, and long-term goals. Mentoring sessions included one-on-one check-ins, skill-building activities, and community outings that fostered connection and resilience. Participants reported improved emotional well-being, increased school engagement, and stronger communication skills. Waypoints trauma-informed, strength-based approach helped guide youth toward positive pathways and empowered them to envision brighter futures. We onboarded a new cohort of 7th graders in spring '25 while we celebrated our largest class of graduating seniors to date! Our senior cohort enjoyed a trip to New York City to celebrate.

SKATEPARK: Healthy Risk-taking means getting active to build confidence and connections. MYC promotes skateboarding, scootering, biking, and outdoor expeditions to increase mental and physical well-being.Originally founded by local teens in downtown Bath in the early 2000s, the park was relocated in 2012 and operated by the City until MYC assumed ownership in 2020 Since then, weve invested in knowledgeable staff, brought in professional skateboarders and builders, and designed a vision that goes beyond ramps and rails: a thriving community where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities feel welcome.In the past year alone, the park has hosted: 1,686 sessions with 5,135 registered skaters on file 393 equipment rentals, 131 Half-Pint sessions, 64 homeschool sessions, and 21 drop-in lessons A 30% increase in participation and a 90% return rate for new familiesAs one parent shared, The skateboard instructor, Sean, has been doing an excellent job... our son Jasper has learned a lot in only three lessons. Both of my boys have enjoyed the lessons immensely. Another added: Williams confidence as a skater has grown tremendously since he first started last fall. He looks forward to his lessons each week.

MAINE CAREER: On average, we had 8 students participating each quarter in workforce readiness training that included resume building, interview skills, conflict resolution, and workplace etiquette. These students were able to participate in a paid training opportunity either at the MYC or at a local employer through the Manpower program..

Strengthening Families:Strengthening Families 10-14 is a fun, highly interactive program designed to help families improve communication, manage stress, and build strong, positive relationships. Parents and youth met in separate groups for the first hour and together as families during the second hour to practice skills, play games, and do family projects. Sessions were highly interactive and included role-playing, discussions, learning games, and family projects. Parent sessions consisted of presentations, role-plays, group discussions, and other skill-building activities. Youth sessions engage each youth in small and large group discussions, group skill practice, and social bonding activities.

STEP UP: In 2024, the Step Up Transitional Housing Program at Midcoast Youth Center provided safe, stable housing and wraparound support for youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Residents benefited from access to mentorship, case management, life skills development, and connections to education and employment opportunities. The program focused on building independence, resilience, and long-term stability, helping youth transition to permanent housing and brighter futures. With a trauma-informed, youth-centered approach, Step Up continued to be a critical lifeline for some of the most vulnerable young people in the Midcoast region. We housed 12 young adults, 3 of whom have moved into permanent housing!

SUMMER CAMP:We hosted our 4th Annual Free Summer Camp for local middle schoolers at MYC. We had over 40 students registered who took part in team building activities each day, activities such as bike riding, art, skateboarding, and music. We hosted a weekly field trip to Aquaboggan, Popham Beach, Botanical Gardens, Maine Wildlife Park and more. We instituted the Holistic Student Assessment for the first time that allows us to measure a students' strengths and areas of growth.

LBGTQ+ and Groups:Midcoast Youth Center has created a SAFE club for students in RSU1 who attend the compass afterschool program. During this time frame we successfully hosted 9 weekly meetings, with an average attendance of 5 students per meeting. The largest attendance was 7 and lowest was three. In total 9 individual students attended for a total of 49 student interactions. 100% of students from the first quarter were in attendance. Midcoast Youth Center hosted Out MAINE for an in house LGBTQIA2S+ training to help build a welcoming, affirming workplace. Staff explored the most common identities under the LGBTQ+ umbrella and covered what it means to be an ally and share local support resources.

CHBC:Nothing for CBHC it was determined that a Community Based Health Care center would not be feasible at this time.