As Maine youth experience increasing mental health challenges, funding from the John T. Gorman Foundation will help connect rural students to mentorship, positive experiences, and other supportive programming

When schools and community organizations work together, they can create stronger networks of support for young people. With four grants totaling $350,000, the John T. Gorman Foundation is helping community providers and rural schools build and expand these partnerships so more students can access enriching activities, supportive relationships, and opportunities for personal development.

Removing barriers like cost, transportation and access in rural areas, the grants aim to expand and strengthen programming across a range of ages but especially the formative middle school years. The 2023 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey found that 27% of Maine middle school students reported poor mental health within the past 30 days and one in three said they had experienced a feeling of sadness or hopelessness for longer than a two-week period. Of those, 39% had not sought help from an adult.

“With many challenges to their mental health right now, Maine youth need spaces where they can receive support, build relationships, and buffer stress with positive experiences. This is especially true in rural parts of the state where it can be more difficult for children and families to access services,” said John T. Gorman Foundation Senior Program Associate Leigh Arsenault. “By collaborating, local schools and community organizations can build off each other’s work to support youth in and out of school. The John T. Gorman Foundation is helping these organizations bring important programming to students while demonstrating what creative partnerships can achieve for youth mental health.”

Supporting Youth Across Maine: Grantee Highlights

Girl Scouts of Maine: Combined with other funding sources, Foundation support will allow Girl Scouts of Maine to provide approximately 400 upper elementary and middle-school youth from 10 rural school districts with weekly afterschool programming. Working alongside schools to identify gaps in support for girls and customize programs to meet their needs, the afterschool programming seeks to improve girls’ self-confidence and strengthen their social connections to their peers, schools, and community.

Maine Seacoast Mission: Funding will help strengthen Maine Seacoast Mission’s Journey program, which provides Washington County students from grades 7 to 12 with long-term mentoring, social connection, and experiences to build career and education aspirations.

Hearty Roots: Hearty Roots will use Foundation funds to provide twice-weekly afterschool programming for approximately 350 students at Medomak Middle and Wiscasset Middle schools in Lincoln County. Staff will be based in outdoor classrooms adjacent to each school, creating opportunities to integrate emotional support and skill development into the school environment.

Rivers & Roads: Support will help Rivers & Road deliver Dreamcatchers, a long-term mentoring program for middle and high school students in Oxford County, nurturing their personal growth, building their confidence, and helping them develop and pursue their aspirations.