WE ARE
TREE 2
TREE STREET YOUTH
At Tree Street we enable diverse youth to transcend their circumstances with opportunities to acquire new skills, build relationships with peers, earn respect for themselves and each other, and connect in the community. Every day, we build tomorrow’s
leaders.
vision Leaders who fear less, love more, and dream big, boldly shaping the future and creating communities united across lines of difference.
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WE ARE
THE
FUTURE
The Youth We Serve + The Needs We Meet Tree Street Youth Center stands at the nexus of challenge and opportunity. In the heart of Lewiston—called the “Tree Street Neighborhood”—we are strategically located on the walking route to the elementary, middle, and high schools in one of the state’s most socio-economically challenged communities. Our census tracts’ high school graduation rates hover around 70% and there is no statistically significant number of individuals aged 24-35 with postsecondary degrees. 99% of our youth live at or below poverty, experiencing social and emotional challenges on a daily basis. 65% hail from immigrant or refugee families, learn to speak a new language and reconcile the dual identities of old roots in a new land. It is here —at the intersection of Lewiston’s realities and possibilities—that Tree Street is planted. 4
TREE STREET YOUTH
we serve
750 unique youth annually
120+
youth served per day five days a week
Our programming is provided at no cost to families
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WHAT IT MEANS
TO BE
TREE
Compassionate
Respectful
We meet all individuals “where they’re at” and provide opportunities even after mistakes.
We respect and take care of each other.
Youth-driven We reflect the needs and preferences of youth and their families. The youth drive program development.
Inclusive We are available to all youth irrespective of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief or behavior. We promote equality and inclusion through our programs.
Self-accountable We recognize that each person can control only their own thoughts, emotions, and actions. We encourage accountability.
Relationship-driven We build relationships with the youth to offer opportunities for personal growth and achievement through academics, arts and athletics.
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TREE STREET YOUTH
Transparent We value honesty and have real conversations about a wide range of topics, including difficult questions and concerns.
Resilient We encourage all individuals to develop their ability to transcend their circumstances: dream bigger, fear less, love more, and persevere.
Connected We connect with family, school, and community. We are committed to working with local private and public organizations to provide educational and personal growth opportunities for all.
United We are united across lines of difference, and embrace diversity, including culture, language, religion, identity and beliefs.
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TREE STREET YOUTH
17 ACADEMIC + ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING
languages spoken including Arabic, French, Spanish, Somali and Swahili
1,060 hours of activity each academic year
From ABCs to College Degrees AFTER SCHOOL
SUMMER
ENRICHMENT
After school support for youth grades
Summer programming is designed
Building self-esteem, confidence
pre-k-12 during the critical hours of 2
to keep youth engaged and learning
and collaboration through movement
p.m. to 6 p.m. Self-led play, academic
during the otherwise idle summer
and imagination.
support, arts and cultural enrichment,
months known as the “summer slide.�
and social/emotional learning.
120-150 youth served each weekday Personal development in self-advocacy, perseverance, positive risk-taking, and impulse management
80 elementary school age youth participate in an array of activities
Activities to improve health, reduce stress and foster motivation
Visual arts, guitar, hip-hop, creative writing, basketball, soccer, yoga
Development of key 21st century skillsproblem solving and creative thinking
Breakfast and lunch is served for each child Weekly field trips
Coding learning lab Homework help/tutoring
Over 150 middle/high school age youth participate in Summer College Challenge
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95%
college acceptance
LEADERSHIP + WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Leaders for Life M.A.P.L.E. (Motivated Adolescents Pursuing Leadership Experiences)
BRANCHES (Becoming Responsible Adults ‘N Cultivating Higher Education Success)
C.E.D.A.R. (Community Engagement for Developing Abilities and Readiness)
Developing leaders on the job
Objective: to increase high school
Paid part-time internship program
into leaders for life, we offer
graduation, college acceptance, and
designed for Tree Street alumni and
gainful employment to motivated
college retention rates of at-risk, first
local 18-25 year olds who need to
adolescents. Participants earn a
generation students. We believe that
develop additional skills to succeed
stipend, learn responsibility, gain
if students have a vision of what they
in the workplace.
respect of their peers, and serve as
want for their future, they will be
role models for younger students.
more successful in obtaining it.
50+ teens participate 3 age and responsibility appropriate levels: SquadLeaders, StriveLeaders, and StreetLeaders
Early college and career exploration
Selected interns held to high standards while receiving support and training
Community engagement with local businesses and organizations
Support for juniors and seniors from college application to move in day Over 250 alumni
For over 90% of youth, this is their first job
Job placement assistance Average 95% college acceptance
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TREE STREET YOUTH
INTERVENTION + SUPPORT Engage and Inspire
35%
SEQUOIA
SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
In collaboration with the Maine
We develop behavior intervention
Department of Corrections, the
programs for local schools to engage
2:00-8:00 pm five day a week program
youth who struggle academically,
serves youth currently involved – or
socially, and emotionally. By
at risk of being involved– in the
facilitating the complex relationships
juvenile justice system. Through social
between students, their families,
and emotional coaching, relentless
teachers, and community partners,
encouragement, and experiential
innovative approaches are designed
learning, participants are challenged
to meet the unique needs of each
to improve decision-making, set goals,
and every student.
and take positive risks.
reduction in juvenile arrest rate
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS + ENGAGEMENT From I to We
FACILITATED DIALOGUES
SAMARA SERVICE LEARNING
Recognized as a thought leader in
The shape of a samara (also known as
the community, we build and
a helicopter seed) enables the wind
steward relationships. Through a
to carry the seed of the fruit farther
brave and open model of dialogue,
away than regular seeds from the
local business/economic leaders
parent tree. We welcome teams of all
can connect with current and
kinds — community agencies, youth
future employees to explore issues
groups, corporations, high schools,
of diversity and tackle the State’s
colleges — to spend an afternoon, a
most pressing workforce and
day, or an entire week to engage in
economic challenges.
Samara learning opportunities/service projects and spread the seeds of Tree far and wide.
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TREE STREET YOUTH
“ I didn’t give up, Tree Street just wouldn’t let me... The amount of love, support, and family comfort coming out of that place, helped me change into who I am today.” —Taheim, student
WE ARE
CONNECTED Maine faces a difficult reality of weak demographic trends
difference to fuel the revitalization of the Twin Cities and
that hamper our future economic growth. More people
serve as a model for the entire State.
are aging out of the Maine labor force than are aging into, making it harder for us to compete economically with
Our creative and unique staffing model embraces diversity
other states. But, with a large percentage of immigrant
– reflecting the racial and ethnic makeup of our youth and
and refugee families settling and building lives in Lewiston
helping to remove an often-overlooked barrier to access.
and Auburn, these two cities are bucking the declining and aging population trend.
As a community anchor, Tree Street serves as a vital piece of the economic engine supporting academic and
New populations, new interactions, new dreams are
workforce development, ensuring that our future is one
complex, but Tree Street Youth is committed to navigating
of always growing, rather than receding, opportunity.
those complexities and working together across lines to
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TREE STREET YOUTH
“
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“At Tree Street we grow in different directions but our roots remain as one. It’s all about being a family at Tree.” —Erica, parent
Because of Tree Street, hundreds of youth are continuing to learn and thrive after the school bell rings. The prospect of college becomes a reality. Diversity is embraced. Because of Tree Street, Maine is building an educated, connected, and motivated workforce. Because of Tree Street, Maine’s future is brighter.
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mission to support the youth of Lewiston-Auburn through academics, the arts and athletics by providing a safe space that encourages healthy physical, social, emotional, and academic development while building unity across lines of difference.
TREE STREET YOUTH 144 Howe St Lewiston, ME 04240 (207) 577-6386 treestreetyouth.org
design and photography by Polychrome Collective