Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

September 19, 2024 2024 Giving Guide

Wayfinder Schools

 

 

 

2025 Goals

Each year, Wayfinder serves 65 Maine youth who need a second chance at high school graduation. More than half of our students have experienced food and housing insecurity and approximately 30% are young parents. 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. Our goals for the coming year include:

1. To serve at least 65 Maine youth who need a second chance at high school graduation.

2. To ensure our students graduate with the confidence, community connection, practical life skills, job skills and work-readiness they need to find post-secondary success in Maine.

3. To ensure all students have access to arts education, outdoor education and career exploration opportunities.

Fundraising events/Opportunities

Wayfinder is looking forward to hosting several events this school year, including our Fall Open House on October 23rd in Camden, our annual Great Escape Auction, and our popular Finding Our Way live storytelling event. All of our events provide extensive opportunities for business and donor support; joining our events host committee; advertising in an events program; or making in-kind donations. 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.

Make a donation by check or online; attend or sponsor an event; or make a gift in honor of a student, graduate, teacher, friend or loved one.

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) leading a workshop; 2) serving as an advisor on a graduation project; and 3) joining our fundraising and events planning committee!

Leadership

 

Andrea Vassallo
Executive Director

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 Health Clinician, PenBay Medical Center

Board Members

Jim Butler, Retired Human Resources Director

Barbara Johnson, Administrator and Operations Coordinator, Long Island School

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

Jessica O’Rourke-Suchoff, Associate Attorney, Aleta Law

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

At A Glance

 

Established: 1910

Employees: 10

Annual revenue: $911,526

Top funding sources

46% Grants, donations and fundraising

34% Investment income

20% Program income

Contact

79 Washington St.

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, Bangor 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.