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Friends of Long Creek Youth Development Center

What We Do

Creek to College (Signature Program) FOLC funds accredited, college-level courses taught on-site at Long Creek by instructors from Southern Maine Community College. Students earn real college credit—often while still completing high school requirements—giving them a meaningful academic head start upon release.

  • 25% of Long Creek residents are currently enrolled
  • Textbooks and required materials fully supported
  • Proven impact on post-release education success

Music & Creative Expression (with Maine Academy of Modern Music) Through instrument access, instruction, and performance opportunities, students earn elective credits while rediscovering confidence, discipline, and identity. Instruments frequently go with students upon release to ensure continuity and growth.

Emmy’s Closet Named in honor of a former FOLC president, Emmy’s Closet provides professional clothing for court appearances, family visits, job interviews, and reentry. Participants consistently report increased self-worth and a powerful shift in self-perception.

Driver’s Education & Licensing FOLC funds driver’s education for former residents and at-risk youth in the community. In many parts of Maine, a license is the difference between unemployment and independence. This program reduces recidivism risk while increasing job stability.

Why It Matters

We don’t duplicate services. We fill the gaps—quickly, creatively, and in close coordination with Long Creek leadership.

Every dollar supports real needs the system cannot meet on its own.

Giving opportunities

  • Support Creek to College tuition and materials
  • Sponsor music instruction or instruments
  • Fund professional clothing through Emmy’s Closet
  • Help a young person earn a driver’s license
  • Make an unrestricted gift for rapid-response needs
  • Your investment creates lasting change — measured in education, employment, and restored dignity.
  • All donations go directly to funding programming for youth.

Learn more or give at friendsoflongcreek.org.

At a glance

Established: 1994
Employees: Volunteer organization
Annual revenue: $54,687

675 Westbrook St., South Portland, ME 04106

www.friendsoflongcreek.org

Mission Statement: Friends of Long Creek is a Maine-based nonprofit dedicated to improving outcomes for youth at the Long Creek Youth Development Center and young people in the community who have contact with the justice system. Our mission is to provide access to education, skill-building, and essential resources that help young people successfully transition to school, work, and community life.

FOLC is an independent 501(c)(3), not part of the Maine Department of Corrections, the State of Maine, or the justice system. We coordinate with Long Creek to assist young people currently remanded there. FOLC takes no position on the facility’s future; our sole purpose is helping these youth see — and build toward — a better path forward.

Service locations: Friends of Long Creek funds programming both within the Long Creek Center in South Portland as well as programming for probationary youth (released from Long Creek and under DOC supervision) throughout Maine.

Top funding sources

78% Grants
22% Donations

Leadership

David Vickrey, Board President — PHOTO / COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF LONG CREEK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER

David Vickrey, Board President

Board officers

John R. Butts, Board Vice President
James Willey, Jr., Board Treasurer
Ellen Niewoehner, Board Secretary

Board members

James Bouchard
Dan Costantino
David Putnam
Dan Reardon
Kimberly Samuelson
Tom Talbott
Barbara Willey