Programs & Services

Programs and Services

In January 2019, Midcoast Community Alliance began transforming the teen center at the Bath Youth Meetinghouse & Skatepark. Over the past year, we engaged with 480 youth, ages 5 to 24, who signed into our afterschool programs 6,988 times!

Our afterschool programs include: youth leadership opportunities, academic support, summer math programs, cooking classes, art classes, sewing classes, the beginnings of a music recording studio, connections to adult education and workforce training, relationship building with caring adult mentors trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid and simply a “safe place” to hang out. 

We place emphasis on meeting the basic needs of youth. Dinner is served 3 times a week and free afterschool snacks and take-home food are provided by the Bath Area Backpack Program. Free toiletries are supplied by the Bath Elks. A clothing closet offers gently used sneakers, jackets, and clothing.  

  • Mental Health Awareness & Outreach: resources provided to families and community; training provided by NAMI Maine and Center for Community Health & Wellness, Mid Coast Hospital, workshops for parents and community members, student trainings. 
  • Merrymeeting Homeless Youth Project: supporting at-risk, homeless and unaccompanied (without parent or guardian) youth in MSAD75, RSU1 and Brunswick. Youth Outreach Coordinator in schools twice weekly and at the teen center in the afterschool hours. 
  • Programs Addressing Food Insecurity: daily snacks and take-home food provided by Bath Area Backpack Program, meals from community members provided through a Meal Train, toiletries offered by Bath Elks 934 
  • Wraparound Student Services: a group of educators, parents, MCA staff, community organizations, law enforcement wrapping around a student and family facing challenges to empower and support them in overcoming barriers. 
  • Youth DevelopmentMentoring by staff and volunteers trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid, art classes, cooking classes, music studio, playing piano, visits by therapy dogs, youth development activities that support student growth. 
  • Youth Leadership: providing students the opportunity to take ownership through leadership roles and decision-making responsibilities within the organization. 
  • Afterschool Wellness Activities: Physical fitness is a vital component of mental wellness. Students get active through free scooter & skate clubs, fitness activities, pool, ping pong, kickball, basketball, swimming – all free of charge. 
  • Connecting Students to Community Activities: Removing barriers to Basketball at Bath Rec, Swimming at Bath Area Family Y, Laser Tag at Patten Free Library. 
  • Experiential Activities: Building skateboards at Grain Surf Shop in York, visits to Tree Street Youth Center, Community Bike Center in Biddeford 
  • Academic Improvement Programs: daily tutoring by volunteers and RSU1 faculty, hands-on science experiments, summer learning programs. 
  • HiSET assistance (high school equivalency): in partnership with Merrymeeting Adult Education; classes now offered at the skatepark, taught by local educator and long-time skateboarder. 
  • Set for Success Program: Our 2nd Annual Set for Success back-to-school celebration provided free backpacks and school supplies to 624 students living in the RSU1 school district, as well as 100 free haircuts and access to over 30 youth-serving organizations.