A promise someone cares
Mission
The Friends of Long Creek Youth Development Center supports programs directed toward returning youth in the Maine criminal justice system to their communities as productive citizens.
Youth
Nationally, 90% of youth involved in the criminal justice system report exposure to traumatic events. They are significantly more likely to be homeless; have or be expecting children; and be diagnosed with a learning disability than other teens.
HOPE
Yet, like all youth, they aspire to more. Two thirds want to pursue higher education. They want to be better parents. They want to live productive lives. Knowing someone cares and having access to education, vocational training, and positive social supports makes a proven difference.
WHY
That is why we work collaboratively with the state department of corrections, other non-profit agencies, and volunteers to ensure that some of Maine’s most vulnerable youth have the education, resources, and support they need to successfully transition into adult life.
News
American Correctional Association (ACA) Audit
The Friends of Long Creek received the following note from Stephanie Netto, Chief of Volunteer Services at Long Creek Youth Development Center: “We completed our 3-day American Correctional Association Audit in May. The unofficial results were like a breath of fresh air! The report becomes official in August during the ACA Annual Conference, but what
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Creek to College Newsletter
We’re excited to share our first issue of the Creek to College and Career (C2CC) newsletter. We’ve got a lot of great programming happening this fall in our college and vocational programs, and we thought you’d be interested to take a look: FALL 2018 C2CC newsletter. THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone who has contributed
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Impact of Fishing Trips
A recent update from a Long Creek Juvenile Community Corrections Officer (caseworker): I wanted to pass along what happened on the fishing trip on Monday as I think it’s important to let the powers that be know the profound effect that this is having on youth. I have a youth in transition on my caseloads
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Friends of Long Creek Report June 2017-June 2018
Friends of Long Creek (FOLC) is a non-profit organization that continues to help young people at the facility, as well as those who are transitioning out. We also support programs for juveniles who have been involved in the criminal justice system, but are not at Long Creek Youth Development Center. Some of the programs that
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A.R. Gould returns to the 2018 Class D South final
Congratulations to A.R. Gould’s boys basketball team on making it to the regionals. See the Portland Press article here.
Friends of Long Creek Abbreviated List of Activities: July, 2016 – June, 2017
This has been a turbulent year at Long Creek Youth Development Center, which has made our efforts to support these troubled kids even more important than usual. The Friends have remained focused on our mission to support programs directed toward returning youth in the Maine criminal justice system to their communities as productive citizens. We
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A.R. Gould School Boys Basketball
Congratulations to the A.R. Gould School Boys Basketball team, regional runners-up for Class D south final. The Friends of Long Creek proudly supports these athletes on and off the court. Read their inspiring story here.
Back to School
8 youth at Long Creek are taking advantage of two college credit courses being offered this semester thanks to the Friends of Long Creek’s Creek to College program and a collaboration with Southern Maine Community College. Cultural Anthropology and Oral Communications are being taught inside the facility making a college education accessible to students whose
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Campus Tours
The Friends of Long Creek helped support an SMCC (Southern Maine Community College) campus tour for eleven very eager and extremely well-behaved residents this month. The students met with an admissions officer, took a student-led tour, and enjoyed a delicious meal in the cafeteria. Chef Ogden from the LDYDC (Long Creek Youth Development Center) culinary program
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Culinary Arts Program
The culinary arts program at LCYDC was established with the support of the Friends. Learn how this program is making a difference for youth. WMTW news story: Recipe for Success, Culinary Education Gives Second Chance