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The Mission of LifeJackets
LifeJackets is a community based youth development program built upon the foundation of youth serving youth and community collaboration. LifeJackets offers youth opportunities to build trust, mutual respect, dignity, lifelong skills, and self-esteem. LifeJackets offers a safe, nurturing, peer-helping culture, which empowers youth to take personal responsibility for their choices and actions. Through peer helping, community service, wilderness adventure, and mentoring, youth in LifeJackets are equipped to make choices that help them better navigate the waters of life.
What is a LifeJackets Module?
Each LifeJackets Module is a nine-month program that involves up to ten participants ages 12-15, two to four high school peer leaders, and two adult coordinators. Each nine-month module includes the following components:
- Weekly Meetings: During these four-hour sessions, participants gather in a safe environment with peer leaders and the youth coordinator to discuss, discover, and experience their development as young citizens. Youth learn to make positive choices, to show respect for themselves and others, and to work effectively as team members.
- Physical Challenges: Physical challenges and activities form a key part of the weekly routine. This can range from very simple exercises to more advanced outdoor activities which offer additional opportunities for physical challenge, problem solving, and building trust as the group discovers what it takes to complete a task as a community of people.
- Community Service: By participating in community service projects, LifeJackets participants learn the importance of giving back to the community in a positive manner. Two service projects are done by each LifeJackets group– one environmental and one directly serving people.
- Maine Woodsman Component: As part of a collaboration with the Natural Resources Education Center’s (NREC) Maine Woods Explorers program in Greenville, the participants will be fully trained in the Junior Maine Woodsman and Maine Woodsman curriculum- the first two steps to becoming a certified Junior Maine Guide.
- Wilderness Expedition: The wilderness expedition gives participants a chance to use and enhance the skills they have learned during the program. This six to seven day trip involves living and traveling together as a community in the Northern Maine Woods.
Peer Leading Component
“Youth Serving Youth”
Peer leaders are high school students who help lead and facilitate each LifeJackets Program Module. Each peer leader is trained and encouraged to be a positive influence on the development of the group. This is a growing and rewarding experience for these young leaders and is a critical element in the delivery and success of each LifeJackets Program Module.
LifeJackets collaborates with NREC’s Maine Woods Explorer’s program, the Maine Warden’s Service, and the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department to introduce a Junior Maine Guide component. A five-day testing camp in late July highlights the experience, allowing Peer Leaders to leave the program with both a tangible accomplishment and enhanced leadership skills.
FUNDING SOURCES
LifeJackets fulfills a need not met by other groups or institutions in our communities. While some of our participants are sponsored by local agencies or organizations, most have little ability to pay for a LifeJackets experience. Since our mission includes serving youth, we look to other funding sources to support their participation.
Funding for LifeJackets is provided by:
- Department of Health and Human Services
- United Way of Eastern Maine
- The Burden Foundation
- Piscataquis County Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office
- Private Donors
Contributions may be made to the LifeJackets program directly to the Charlotte White Center or by credit card by visiting our Donation Page.
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ACCESS
At present LifeJackets is working in five local school districts to identify, recruit, and work with children 12-15 years old who have an interest in the LifeJackets experience.
The LifeJackets office is located at:
148 East Main Street
Dover-Foxcroft , ME 04426
The Lifejackets Youth Group Coordinators can be contacted by phone or e-mail at:
(207) 564-0133
Email: jwithee@charlottewhite.org
smadera@charlottewhite.org
Or by contacting:
Charlotte White Center
572 Bangor Road
Dover-Foxcroft , ME 04426
Phone (207) 564-2464 ext. 114
Fax (207) 564-2404
TTY/Maine Relay Service:
711 or (207) 955-3323 (TTY)
(207) 955-3777 (voice)
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