It’s good to be back!

I’m filling in for Pete Coffin while he is on a trip abroad and I’m happy to be back at the Teen Center. While a Bowdoin College student, I became involved with “Rebound,” a Brunswick program for repeat juvenile offenders, and also volunteered at the Teen Center all of my senior year. I loved the work with the teens, Jordan and Pete.

As a teenager I was inspired by a young woman who taught me to chase my dreams and convinced me that anything is possible. That relationship affected my life forever. I decided then that I wanted to provide inspiration to as many people as possible, and it only seemed natural to work with young growing minds.

After studying education and sociology at Bowdoin College, my research took me to several Maine public schools where I began to focus more specifically on restorative justice practices and at-risk youth.

Earlier this month at the Teen Center we did a little planning and housekeeping for the new year. We are swapping out some of our older less-used games for new equipment that our teens will enjoy. In addition, the teens and I have are currently planning two workshops for the month of January.

On Monday evenings from 4 to 5:30 p.m., teens will be assisting me with a “Build Your Own Motorbike” workshop, during which we hope to construct two motorized bicycles. Thursday evenings from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. I will be hosting weekly acoustic guitar lessons. All are welcome to either of the courses.

It has been a wonderful experience to be back at the Teen Center. Thank you to all who have made it possible!