New Beginnings

Contact Information

Year Started TLP	1992
Year Started FYSB Funding	1992
Bed Capacity	22
Average Time Staying in Months	3
Age Eligibility	16-21
Program Serves	Former Foster Youth HIV Positive Youth Pregnant Parent Teens Bisexual Youth Runaway/Homeless Youth Youth with English as Second Language Other: Our agency helps males and females.
Written Policies/ Procedures?	Y
Willing To Share Policies/ Procedures?	Y
Written Youth Handbook or Manual?	Y
Willing To Share Handbook or Manual?	Y
Types of Collaborations Present with Local Community Resources	Local schools, mental health services, Maine Association of group care providers, and local colleges (student interns/volunteers).
Aspect of Program that is Innovative or Unique	Most of our life skills instruction is done in the community rather than class-based. We also have an ongoing adventure challenge component that does ongoing community service and fieldtrips both wilderness based and urban-based.
Program's Biggest Challenge	Youth who have been homeless for an extended period of time have difficulty adjusting to the structure required in group living situation. The community generally has low wage jobs that make affordable housing a challenge after the youth leaves the program.