G2O Team Shares Highlights from DETLC 2022
The G20 Team, clockwise from left: Ayla Zanoni, Ellie Claverie (Project Lead), Landen Farrell (Team Leader), Cora Sanchez, Naomi Ayerman, and Drew Bladen (in front).
“DownEast Teen Leadership Camp - DETLC - 2022 was a whole lot of fun!
We started off with Staff training and orientation. The 18 staff members (ages 15-19) went to visit Quoddy Head light and take in a concert at Stockford Park in Lubec. On Monday afternoon, 35 tentative, shy, nervous campers arrived at Cobscook Institute [Trescott]. After some icebreakers and a delicious spaghetti dinner they started to come out of their shells.
We had a full week of water games, bug bites, smiles and laughter, educational workshops, and many ice pops to beat the heat. Speakers from community-serving organizations such as Maine Youth Power, Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN), JustME for JustUS and Young People Caucus came from all over Maine to share valuable information and empower young people to get involved in things that matter to them. Camp ended on a high note with canoeing, hiking, and art in the park excursions, and a pizza party.
Each of us formed new connections, learned important lessons on leadership, voice, and how to make changes we want to see in our communities. We can’t wait for next year. Thank you for your support!”
- Ayla, Ellie, Landen, Cora, Naomi, and Drew
The 2022 G2O Team
Healthy Acadia was thrilled to partner with Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) for the second consecutive year, to serve as a Gateway for Opportunity (G2O) host site this summer. Gateway to Opportunity (G2O) is a six-week, paid summer workforce program that seeks to directly connect young people between the ages of 16-18 to meaningful summer employment opportunities in Maine. Youth are paired with a “host site” - a local business, organization, or government agency - to work on a team to design a community project that centers youth voice. G2O creates a unique and dynamic work environment that provides authentic pathways for young people to develop their career skills, gain valuable work experience and boost their professional connections as they prepare for their future career.
Healthy Acadia extends a huge thank you to our 2022 G2O team: Naomi Ayerman, Drew Bladen, Ellie Claverie (Project Lead), Landen Farrell (Team Leader), Cora Sanchez, and Ayla Zanoni, for helping to provide an unforgettable DownEast Teen Leadership Camp (DETLC) experience for area youth!
Celebrate the 2022 Gateway to Opportunity projects and the many youth, emerging adults, and community partners who made them possible! Join Maine Youth Action Network on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, from noon to 1:30 p.m., via Zoom, for a virtual closing ceremony, hear from each of the eight teams about their summer projects, and learn more about the future of Maine's workforce. Click here to register and receive the Zoom link to join.
For more information about DownEast Teen Camp, go to https://www.healthyacadia.org/sb-detlc or contact Sara McConnell at Sara@HealthyAcadia.org. For information about Healthy Acadia’s youth engagement programs and activities, visit https://www.healthyacadia.org/sb or contact Corrie Hunkler at Corrie.Hunkler@HealthyAcadia.org.