mission to support the youth of Lewiston-Auburn through
I AM TREE
WE ARE TREE
academics, the arts and athletics by providing a safe space that encourages healthy physical, social, emotional, and academic
The Child + The Community
development while building unity across lines of difference.
From the boy who arrived in America only two weeks ago to the girl whose family has never traveled outside of Maine, Tree Street Youth supports and empowers at-risk youth in Lewiston while building a community united across
TREE STREET YOUTH 144 Howe St Lewiston, ME 04240 (207) 577-6386 treestreetyouth.org
lines of difference. Each day more than 120 young people, ages 5 to 18, flood through our doors, finding a safe haven where they can laugh, learn and grow. 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, become leaders, and
discover
joy.
TREE STREET YOUTH
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LEWISTON’S CHILDRE
“ Tree Street is not only giving young people the tools, support, and confidence they need to succeed, it is
MAINE’S OPPORTU The Youth We Serve + The Needs We Meet
also helping to bring students from all backgrounds in the city of Lewiston together … That is the life-changing power that this organization has brought to our community. Just as Tree Street improves young lives, these young people can in turn improve Maine and America. We need motivated, talented and creative people from all backgrounds if we are going to keep pace with the rest of
800
youth served since opening in 2011
120+
youth served per day five days a week
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 walk 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 60% and there is no statistically significant number of individuals aged 24-35 with bachelor’s degrees. With 99% of our youth living at or below poverty, not all are guaranteed three meals
the world.”
a day. They attend schools that struggle to
> Senator Angus King
meet state standards. 65% hail from immigrant or refugee families, learning to speak a new language and reconciling 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.
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TREE STREET YOUTH
EN
UNITY
Founded in 2011 by two Bates college alumnae,
economic growth. Maine as a whole is a
declining and aging population trend. As a
Tree Street Youth has served more than 800
graying state. More people are aging out of the
community anchor, Tree Street is a vital piece
vulnerable children, reaching 120 to 150 youth
Maine labor force than are aging into, making
of the economic engine supporting academic
each day. Reversing negative prophecies and
it harder for us to compete economically with
and workforce development while fueling the
barriers to self-sufficiency by providing the
other states and provide the services our older
revitalization of our twin cities and serving as
pillars that youth need to succeed, we recognize
residents need as they age.
a model for our entire state—ensuring that our
the tremendous potential that they have to positively impact the future of Maine.
future is one of always growing rather than Maine is one of only two states that are actually
receding opportunity.
losing population. With a large percentage of Maine faces a difficult reality of weak
immigrant and refugee families in Lewiston
demographic trends that hamper our future
and Auburn, these two cities are bucking the TREE STREET YOUTH
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Our programming is provided at no cost to families
WHAT IT MEANS
TO BE TREE Tree Street Youth is a vibrant hub of daily youth development, offering a highly affirming environment where youth can improve academics, obtain positive social reinforcement, cultivate personal interests, and build community. Every day, we build tomorrow’s leaders.
ACADEMIC + ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING From ABCs to College Degrees
95%
college acceptance
100%
high school graduation rate
AFTER SCHOOL
ARTS+ATHLETICS
BRANCHES
SUMMER
“I am learning.”
“I am movement.”
“I am bold.”
“I am shining.”
Helping students to stay in school
Building self-esteem, confidence
Raising aspirations with career
Summer is high season in Maine;
and succeed
and collaboration through
readiness and college support
a time of year that we all look
movement and imagination
through the BRANCHES (Building
forward to. But it is also a time of
Responsible Adults ‘N Cultivating
risk as underserved youth face
Higher Education Success)
“summer slide,” falling behind
Tutoring and homework help Supplemental language instruction for students with limited English proficiency Learning support for students who do not meet state academic standards or have difficulty functioning in traditional school environments Coaching in and encouragement of selfadvocacy, perseverance, positive risk taking, and impulse management
Opportunities to participate in the visual arts, guitar, hip-hop, creative writing, spoken word poetry, yoga, kick boxing, basketball, soccer, cheerleading and more Development of key 21st century skills like communication, collaboration, innovation, problem solving and creative thinking Active engagement to improve health, reduce stress and foster motivation
Goal setting and community service field trips for secondary school students Support navigating the complex college admissions and financial aid application process from start to finish Visits to 13+ New England colleges and universities
in their academic, social and emotional growth. Tree Street offers two programs for six weeks over the summer that keep kids engaged and learning across otherwise idle summer afternoons.
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languages spoken including Arabic, French, Spanish, Somali and Swahili
2,267 community volunteer hours logged during the school year
880
hours of activity each academic year
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TREE STREET YOUTH
LEADERSHIP + UNITY From I to We LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY
“We are powerful.”
“We are connected.”
collective harmony. Our holistic approach
From leaders on the job to leaders in life we
Our creative and unique staffing embrace
to youth development integrates a
offer youth opportunities to experience gainful
diversity – reflecting the racial and ethnic
restorative justice model that demonstrates
employment and greater responsibility, earning
makeup of our youth and helping to remove
leadership, accountability and life skills,
a stipend and the respect of their peers. For
an often-overlooked barrier to access. For most
both strengthening youth and bringing them
most youth, this is their first job.
youth, Tree Street Youth is the only place where
True empowerment begins with the self, but then transcends it to create a greater,
they engage with adults of color in positions of
together. We blend the focus on the individual with an equally important emphasis on building unity by creating bridges across
StreetLeaders: High-achieving high school youth serve as role models and facilitators for younger youth, passing the sense of leadership and responsibility down from one generation of learners to the next
important thing that our youth learn is acceptance—of themselves and each other.
recruitment and retention levels as well as gives youth the chance to see and hear themselves
lines of difference. We believe in this model because we ultimately believe that the most
authority. This has significantly advanced our
Team Leaders, Teacher Leaders, Enrichment Leaders, Coaching Leaders, Squad Leaders, Service Leaders: From coaching an elementary-level team to planning a community service project, there are multiple opportunities for leadership development and progression
“ Being a StreetLeader means taking responsibility for your actions at Tree Street Youth, and everywhere you go.” —Markabo, Street Leader
reflected in the staff, raising their aspirations and allowing for the cultural awareness and familiarity that builds trust. Intercultural Community Exchange Internship Program: College students or postgraduates work with atrisk, multicultural youth on a daily basis while developing an understanding and strategic approach to cross cultural programming. They are fully immersed in the community life with housing provided within walking distance of the Center and are both mentors for the youth and trusted advisors for organizations seeking to build more culturally competent institutions Volunteers: 250 volunteers support Tree Street Youth each year, with 6 to 12 volunteers lending a hand at the Center every day
TREE STREET YOUTH
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TREE STREET YOUTH
WE ARE
THE
FUTURE
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.
TREE STREET YOUTH
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TREE STREET YOUTH
WE ARE
AMBITIOUS Walk down the labyrinth of halls at Tree Street Youth on any given day and you will see children spilling out of the classrooms and feel the positive energy that is bursting through the walls. You will hear laughter mixed with multiple languages. You will find well-worn couches that, like everything else in the building, were donated by community supporters. You will notice the dance/yoga studio that doubles as the overflow art room or satellite tutoring space. You will duck as a basketball whizzes by. You will see the flags of nations and of colleges abound. You will see our proximity to the neighborhood schools and homes and how absolutely vital it is for children to have a safe, fun, healthy space in which to learn and develop beyond the school day. You will see just how many youth are here at any given time and you will understand why we
need to
expand.
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Colorfully painted words like
HOPE, DREAM, ASPIRE adorn the walls. Painted by the youth, they have become a mantra for the organization.
WE ARE HOPING to write the next chapter where the size of our physical space is doubled, allowing us to not only increase the number of youth served but also to enhance developmentally appropriate spaces for each age group with dedicated enrichment wings, academic areas and multipurpose space.
WE ARE DREAMING of a better tomorrow. By strengthening the physical place where so much magic happens, we can strengthen the entire community, transforming youth’s lives for years to come and tackling the core issues of acculturation, high school graduation, post-secondary degree attainment, emotional/behavioral support, workforce development, and community revitalization.
WE ARE ASPIRING to become the gold standard with a permanent presence in the community as a year-round venue for youth learning, engagement and leadership. Every day we see the life-changing impact we have on at-risk youth, their families, the twin cities, and the state of Maine. An expanded and renovated home will allow us to serve more young people, realize our ambitions for programs, raise our profile, and reflect our true strength as vital to the future of our community and our state. Our roots are planted. The tree is growing.
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TREE STREET YOUTH
TREE STREET YOUTH
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TREE STREET YOUTH 144 Howe St Lewiston, ME 04240 (207) 577-6386 www.treestreetyouth.org design + photography + writing: Polychrome Collective