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News and Events
Please visit our Community Internet Station partner, VillageSoup.com, and search the archives for several stories about Youthlinks.
Mentoring Program Expands to Owls Head
December 12, 2002
An expanded collaborative effort among Youthlinks, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine and MSAD #5 is helping more local high school teens recognize their leadership abilities while providing more elementary children with teen mentors. This program not only provides the younger students with companionship and guidance now, but also helps build their self- esteem and self-confidence for relationships in the future.
Tiger Pals, a school-based mentoring program, has recently initiated a pilot program at Owls Head Central School (OHCS). Based on the Big Brother/Big Sisters model of school-based mentoring, the program pairs Rockland District High School students with OHCS elementary students to play games, create arts and crafts, and spend time getting to know each other in a setting designed to develop bonds between the “Bigs” and “Littles.”
Tiger Pals is structured so that several “matches,” or Big/Little pairs can meet with each other simultaneously. The program provides group activities as well as time for the individual pairs to meet. The program currently has room for two more high school participants, or “Bigs.”
Tiger Pals is in its third successful year at Rockland’s South School, with 26 students currently participating.
“Big Brothers/Big Sisters has worked for nearly 100 years, forming one-to-one mentoring partnerships. School-based mentoring has enlisted previously untapped groups of caring, capable, energetic mentors—high school students,” says Executive Director Bill Michaud. “This new Tiger Pals program at Owls Head Central School proves to be a tremendous success in that its students are being mentored, in most cases, by high school students who once attended that school. That helps to deepen that connection.”
The program is facilitated by Dennis Grannis Phoenix, a Program Manager with Youthlinks, a nonprofit organization offering youth throughout the midcoast a wide variety of programs that build self-confidence, teach skills, and foster valuable connections to adult mentors and community resources.
If you are interested in becoming a “Big” or would like more information, call Youthlinks at 594-2221 or visit www.youthlinksonline.org.
Program for Teens Is More than Fun and Games
November 16, 2002
On Tuesday afternoons, there’s an unusual sight at the Rockland Recreation Center—a room full of teens with parachutes, hula-hoops, and beach balls. But the youth participants aren’t just playing around: they are learning valuable skills like communication, teambuilding, and decision-making. These skills not only offer challenge and fun in the program, but they turn out to be a big help when it comes to school work, home life, and dealing with challenges like peer pressure.
Games People Play is a weekly activity offered by Youthlinks, a nonprofit organization serving youth ages 11-17 throughout the midcoast. Each meeting has a mix of challenging initiatives, fun games, and tricky puzzles that require strategy and teamwork. Each of the activities is designed for the highest level of group success and individual participation. Previous experience or skills are not necessary, since the games are group oriented and non-competitive. The levels of challenge in the games can be changed for individuals and the group to allow for the greatest success.
Games People Play is currently happening at the Rockland Recreation Center on Tuesdays after school, but Youthlinks is able to offer it (and other activities) in other communities wherever there is sufficient interest. It’s just one of dozens of activities offered by Youthlinks throughout the midcoast.
To enroll a youth in Games People Play or other programs, to find out about bringing a Youthlinks program to your school or community, or for more information, call Youthlinks at 594-2221 or visit www.youthlinksonline.org.
Press Release: Appleton Youth Light up the Season with Light-a-Luminary
November 11, 2002
Youthlinks teen volunteers are continuing a holiday tradition this year, assisting with the Light-a-Luminary campaign to raise funds for United Mid-Coast Charities.
This year, youth from Appleton Village School, together with Youthlinks staff and volunteers, are preparing the luminary kits. They fill over 1,500 bags with sand, assemble the kits, and then deliver the kits to the storage area. In the process, participants learn the importance of teamwork, the value of supporting other organizations, and seeing a hard job through to the end.
The Light a Luminary project was created seven years ago by Sallie Tucker. Each year on Christmas Eve, residents of Camden and Rockport enjoy the familiar sight of luminaries brightening the streets, signifying the spirit of giving within the towns. Luminary kits are sold through a neighborhood street captain program, as well as through many local retail stores. One $5.00 luminary kit includes instructions and materials for six luminaries, and will illuminate 100 feet of curbside. All the money raised goes to charity. Youthlinks is fortunate to be one of the many organizations benefiting from by United Mid-Coast Charities’ grants program.
For more information about the Light a Luminary kits, contact Heidi Matteo at 230-0063.