A Letter from MYC’s Founder, Jamie Dorr

On July 7, 2016—nearly a decade ago now—in the midst of unbearable heartache from losing yet another teen to suicide in our community, I did the only thing I could think of: I called a meeting. I reached out to the Bath Area Family Y, the high school, the Rec Department, and NAMI Maine. I had no background in youth work or mental health—I just knew I never wanted to feel that devastating loss again or watch another family endure that pain.

When I started what would become Midcoast Youth Center & Skatepark, my vision was simple but essential: I wanted young people to walk through our doors and feel welcomed immediately. I wanted them to find something yummy to eat—for FREE. Something fun to do—also FREE. A friend to hang out with. And most importantly, a caring adult they could trust enough to lean on when times get tough.

Food became central to everything we built. Early on, I watched our kids closely and realized they were hungry. They’d scrape together change for $0.25 ramen, sugar sticks for a buck, slushies for $0.50—and most didn’t even have that much change. One kid would buy something, and everyone else would descend, asking for a bite or a sip. I made a commitment: we would always have free, nutritious food that kids would actually eat. Today, our team—which includes our incredible Meal Train volunteers—is a well-oiled machine at 2pm snack time and 4pm Dinner Bell. The beautiful thing? We now see 70-100+ kids every day from every socio-economic background. There’s no stigma. Just food, friends, and love.

With partnership across our community and input from these young people, we’ve created something remarkable. We now serve over 1,000 teens and young adults each year across Sagadahoc County, Brunswick, and Harpswell.

More than half walk through our doors at the Teen Center and Skatepark, while others receive support from our outreach and case management professionals embedded in four school districts—RSU 1, MSAD 75, Brunswick, and Richmond.

We’ve built something extraordinary together—a place where a diverse group of young people and their families find genuine belonging and connection through three core pillars: Stability, Engagement, and Adventure. And we provide it all FREE OF CHARGE or Pay What You Can to remove barriers. Free home-cooked meals every weeknight. Transitional housing for young adults. Mentoring, outdoor expeditions, workforce development, and a skatepark where kids can take healthy risks and build confidence. Our staff—half of whom are young people themselves in their first jobs—are among the most passionate youth professionals I know.

I won’t sugarcoat it: this journey has been incredibly challenging. I’ve faced my share of setbacks and struggles. But then I see what we’ve built. I see the young person who calls us “their only family.” I see the senior helping a younger student with her hair, paying forward the care she once received. I see futures unfolding that might not have existed otherwise.

With gratitude,

Jamie Dorr, she / her

Founder, Midcoast Youth Center & Skatepark