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Dr. Joe led the invocation.
Guests:
Al Shinkel - Biddeford Housing Authority
Pat Boston - Hills beach association
Joe Moreshead reminded us of the meal packing volunteer Opportunity on May 11.
Don Pilon will be launching a mini golf fundraiser.
The scholarship committee will be meeting Tuesday, 30 April, at 3 o’clock at Bangor Savings on Main Street in Saco.
Sarah Curley won the 50-50 and contributed it to the red ribbon committee.
Sergeants at arms - Sarah and Fausto
Happy dollars were received from Sue G. who has a new granddaughter born on Easter Day, Dr Joe is happy to be back in Maine after visiting New York City, Brenda is happy to be visiting the Teen center, Marty is happy with his new job at E2Tech, Sabine is happy to have received a new vintage rotary iron, Reegan is happy that her son’s little league merged with Saco, Fausto is happy his mom got the Jean Nate gift he sent, Jeremy is happy that the jumpstart reading program has been fully funded in August.
This week our meeting was held at Westbrook’s my teen place. We had our lunch in their café and had a delicious gourmet meal cooked for us by their chef Christian. Then we heard a presentation from its director, Donna Dwyer, as well as receiving a tour of the facility.
Donna was excited to share with us what has been accomplished in Westbrook and is being used as a model to be replicated hopefully in Biddeford by July 2020.
The café in which we were seated is used to feed up to 40 kids dinner every night during the week. Not only are the children fed delicious meals they are also trained to work in the kitchen and taught valuable lessons in social etiquette during their dining experience.
Donna also introduced us to Christian, the chef, who used to be the chef de cuisine at Fore Street in Portland. He left that post to work at the teen center and follow something that was near and dear to his heart. We also met Mark Woodbury, who is responsible for public relations and marketing for the teen center.
Donna estimates that 90% of the population using the teen center has experienced some sort of trauma, hunger or poverty. The goals and philosophy of the teen center is to give these kids not only a wonderful safe space in which to spend their afternoons but also to show them on a daily basis that they are cared for and loved. The entire place is very well appointed in stark contrast to many of these kids’ home surroundings.
The center also has a washer and dryer to accommodate not only laundry needed to run the place, but also for kids who are finding themselves in between permanent housing. There is a shower as well for those who need to use it.
The center has 10 paid staff and and relies heavily on a core of volunteers, who have participated in spending 6000 volunteer hours last year. That also partner with UNE and USM so students of those universities can work directly with the kids at the center.
After Donna‘s presentation and our tour of the facility, much discussion ensued as to how we can move forward with next steps to be able to bring the similar program to Biddeford.
Meeting adjourned at 1:25.