MYC Expands McKinney-Vento Support Team to Help More Local Youth & Families

Posted on April 28, 2025

We’re excited to share news from Midcoast Youth Center: our McKinney-Vento Outreach team is growing! Thanks to new support from MaineHousing Emergency Relief, we’re welcoming two amazing new Housing Specialists—Jena Beaulieu and Danielle Bailey—to help meet the rising needs of youth and families facing housing instability in our community.

This expansion allows us to now serve students and families in the Brunswick and Richmond School Districts, in addition to the work we’ve been doing in RSU1 and MSAD 75. With housing insecurity on the rise, we expect to go from supporting an average of 65–75 students each year to potentially 300. That’s a huge jump—but one we’re ready to meet head-on with compassion, care, and connection.

Jena Beaulieu                                               Danielle Bailey

 

Meet the New Team Members
Jena Beaulieu joins us with experience in the Special Education Department at Brunswick High School and a BS in Mental Health and Human Services. She’s currently pursuing her master’s at the University of Southern Maine. Jena will be the go-to for the Richmond School District, working closely with families, schools, and community resources.

Danielle Bailey brings 12 years of experience in elder care and is about to finish her master’s in Trauma-Informed Emergency Management with a focus on Community Resilience. She’ll be serving the Brunswick district and is thrilled to be a part of the MYC team helping the vulnerable youth of Maine.

“This position as a McKinney-Vento Youth Outreach & Housing Specialist has been a decades-long goal of mine,” says Jena. “I’m so proud to be part of this program.”

Both Jena and Danielle will be working alongside our veteran Housing Specialist & Youth Outreach Coordinator, Donna Verhoeven, who has been supporting students since 2002 and with MYC since 2017. Verhoeven was the first paid employee of MYC, known then as Midcoast Community Alliance.

As we deepen this work, we’re reminded of just how many youths and families are navigating uncertain housing situations. Last year alone, schools reported these numbers of McKinney-Vento eligible students:

  • RSU1 – 70
  • MSAD 75 – 40
  • Brunswick – 150
  • Richmond – 40

That’s nearly 300 young people right here in our region who deserve stable, supportive environments to learn, grow, and thrive.

“This is more than just expanding a program—it’s answering a call from our community,” said Michele Cooper, MYC’s Director of Youth Housing & Homeless Prevention. “Every young person deserves to be seen, supported, and safe. With this expanded team, we can meet them where they are and help them move forward.”

We’re incredibly proud of our McKinney-Vento team and grateful to everyone who helps make this work possible—from funders to schools to community members like you.

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, thank you for walking alongside us in this mission.

 

Jamie Dorr & the MYC Team

 

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