So I really did think I was all done. I really did try to retire, but after a year of “semiretirement” from the Teen Center program, I am happily returning as the official, Brunswick Area Teen Center coordinator — effective immediately.

I use the term “semi-retirement” because over this past year, I have remained involved with the Teen Center program, organizing and managing the free SAT prep course, assisting with the planning of the Gelato Fiasco fundraiser and filling in for the interim Teen Center staff as needed.

During this year, I have seen and felt notable change within the People Plus organization.

As a former staff member, I can attest to the many challenges that were experienced at People Plus by the move to the new building and years of revolving leadership.

Under Executive Director Stacy Frizzle’s consistent and dynamic leadership, I have seen creative new programming, increased community awareness and support as well as financial stability infused into People Plus.

A banner year of grants, donations, fundraisers, town, United Way and community support and a lot of hard work by the organization as a whole, has enabled the Teen Center Program to break even for the first time in the history of the program.

Consequently, People Plus was able to grow the program which has long been in need of additional staffing and increased hours. As a result, I am thrilled that an assistant coordinator position will be added to staff (we are taking applications now!) and the program will be open an additional day per week starting in the fall, thanks to the funding from a $5,000 award from the Women’s Giving Tree Foundation.

Without the increased level of community support, like the “back-to-school” funding campaign, an award from Jim Howard and Priority Group and the Gelato Fiasco Scoop-a- Thon, the teen program would have ceased to exist.

However, this year those funding sources brought in record-breaking dollars.

And the food that the teens gobble up every day has improved, too. I make a stop at the Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program down the street on Mondays and our two Teen Center angels, Winnie Chan and Hank Welzel, each stop by regularly with baked goods, fruit, homemade cookies and more. The kids are really enjoying these new food options and are eating better than ever — and a lot of it.

After an initial trip to the snack table (these trips are continuous!), the teens jump on the computers donated by Bowdoin College, to play music, check in with family and friends via Facebook, and chill out. They may decide they want to go outside to play basketball, dodgeball or four square, or just beat the afternoon heat with a game, a movie or an indoor project. As the summer days get hotter, the A/C up here is really heavenly!

Prior to the start of the summer program, during an end of the school-year week long break, I was able to clean, clean and clean some more! I worked on hanging curtains, and washing couch covers, moving the ping pong and pool tables.

Dan Ehlers came in and re-vamped the computers along with Mike Roux from Bowdoin College so we now have four great computers. The game equipment was inventoried, updated and added to and we are fully staffed! Phew!

Soon we will be preparing for the bike program, made possible by a grant from the Common Good Fund. This “course” will start in the fall and teach bike repairing skills along with some marketing and small business skills while we sell the bikes we repair and build.

It’s an exciting time to be coming back, I have missed working with the teens and People Plus staff and look forward to re-joining them in the ongoing efforts to support and enhance the community.