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September 21, 2023 2023 Giving Guide

Wayfinder Schools

2024 Goals

Each year, Wayfinder serves 65 Maine youth who need a second chance at high school graduation. Roughly 30% of our students are young parents and more than half have experienced food and housing insecurity. All have struggled in traditional school settings.

Wayfinder students receive individualized, strengths-based instruction in their own homes as they work toward completion of 24 core requirements in academics, parenting and practical life skills. Our graduates consistently report increased confidence, community connection, life skills, job skills, and work-readiness as a result of their participation in our program.

Our goals for the coming year include:

1. To continue to grow our program in Hancock County

2. To increase our work with court-involved youth

3. To increase our focus on arts education, outdoor education and career exploration opportunities

For a complete report on 2023 graduate outcomes, visit our website at www.wayfinderschools.org.

Fundraising events/Opportunities

Wayfinder will host several events this school year, including our 3rd annual Great Escape Auction, held online from Nov. 24-Dec. 15, 2023 and our 4th annual Finding Our Way live storytelling event to be held on May 2, 2024 at The Camden Opera House. Both provide extensive opportunities for business and donor support, including sponsoring an event at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Business Friend levels; joining our events host committee; advertising in an events program; or making an in-kind donation. More information about sponsorship opportunities and benefits may be found at www.wayfinderschools.org.

Giving Opportunities

Every donation made to Wayfinder Schools helps ensure Maine youth are able to graduate from high school and find post-secondary success in their Maine communities. Many of our graduates are the first in their families to complete high school. Most stay here in Maine to work and raise their families. A gift to Wayfinder helps strengthen Maine families and communities for generations to come.

Giving Opportunities: Donate to our Annual Appeal; make an online gift; sponsor a student; sponsor a fundraising event; attend/participate in a fundraising event; make a gift in honor of a student, graduate, teacher, friend or loved one; underwrite a workshop, field trip, or newsletter; join our Wayfinder Navigators Monthly Giving Program; and/or consider a legacy gift. More information is available at www.wayfinderschools.org.

Vanessa Santarelli, founder of Your Maine Concierge, speaking at Wayfinder’s Finding Our Way live storytelling event, held at the Camden Opera House in May 2023

Volunteer Opportunities

Wayfinder is fortunate to have a dedicated team of community partners and volunteers who help ensure success for our students and our school. We can’t do this important work without them. This year’s volunteer opportunities include: 1) mentoring students/leading a workshop; 2) serving as an advisor on a graduation project; and 3) our most pressing current need – joining our events planning committee!

Leadership

Erica Gates, Head of Schools

 

Jerry McQueeney, Board Chair

 

Board officers

Jerry McQueeney, Board Chair, President, Boost Employee Benefits Corp.

Charrisse Kaplan, Board Vice Chair, Managing Partner, Family-Owned Commercial Real Estate

David Vickrey, Board Treasurer, Managing Principal, Seabridge Advisors

Wendelanne Augunas, Board Secretary, Integrated Behavioral Health Clinician, PenBay Medical Center

Board Members

Andrea Itkin, Retired Teacher and Writer

Lateef O’Connor, Senior Associate Director of Recruitment & Regional Campus Admissions, University of Maine

Jessica O’Rourke-Suchoff, Associate Attorney, Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, P.A.

Barbara Sullivan, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, FCD Prevention Works/Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Steven Yuen, Founder & Principal, Park Street Marketing & Management

At a Glance

Established: 1910

Employees: 10.5

Annual revenue: $818,546

Top funding sources

42% Grants, donations and fundraising

39% Investment income

19% Program income

Contact

P.O. Box 555, Camden, ME 04843

(207) 236-3000

www.wayfinderschools.org

facebook.com/wayfinderschools/

linkedin.com/company/ wayfinder-schools/

instagram.com/wayfinder_schools/

Awards/Accolades

In recent years, Wayfinder students, graduates, staff, board and programs have been recognized by The Lewiston Sun Journal, Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, United Midcoast Charities, Maine Marathon, Machias Savings Bank, and Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education.

Mission Statement

Wayfinder is an alternative high school serving Maine youth who need a second chance at graduation. Our mission is to provide students with the experience necessary to discover their strengths and skills, connect with their families, practice personal responsibility, contribute to their communities, and earn a high school diploma.

Service locations

Wayfinder serves students in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington and York counties. Our main campus is in Camden, with outreach offices in Brunswick and Machias.