Midcoast Youth Center Staff Growing to Meet the Needs of Essential Youth Programming
Midcoast Youth Center & Skatepark (MYC) announces the addition of five new team members to support its expanding programs and growing community impact. In 2024, the MYC’s programs reached new heights with 10,492 student check-ins at the Teen Center and 1,260 visitors to the Skatepark.
The organization has strengthened its senior leadership team with three key appointments through the help of generous funding from across the state:
Mike Mallon joins as Senior Program Director, bringing 20 years of experience coaching at the nation’s top winter sports schools and serving as the Executive Director of the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA). “I am so excited to join the Midcoast Youth Center as the new Senior Program Director,” says Mallon. “My experience growing a nationwide NFP and my lifelong passion for youth development and community engagement feels like the perfect fit at MYC. Together, our team will create a welcoming environment where every young person can thrive and reach their full potential.”
Kirstie Truluck steps into the new Director of Development role, leveraging her extensive experience as Executive Director of Maine’s First Ship and over 25 years in youth development at Hyde School and Kieve Wavus Education. Truluck joined MYC in December 2024 to lead fundraising initiatives and strengthen community partnerships. The position was made possible by a capacity building grant from the Peter Alfond Foundation.
Michele Cooper, LMSW, LADC, takes on the position of Director of Youth Housing & Homeless Prevention, bringing decades of experience serving Maine’s healthcare community in addiction resources, crisis evaluation, and community resource navigation. Cooper’s expertise will enhance MYC’s capacity to address youth housing insecurity and provide comprehensive support services. The position was made possible by the state-funded Emergency Housing Relief Fund, (EHRF) awarded by MaineHousing, Maine’s housing finance agency.
The Step Up Transitional Housing program, now under Cooper’s leadership, recently celebrated its first anniversary of providing stable housing and life skills coaching to eleven young people ages 18-24.
“These strategic additions to our leadership team reflect our commitment to expanding our impact and deepening our support for local youth,” says Jamie Dorr, Executive Director of Midcoast Youth Center & Skatepark. “As our programs continue to grow, we’re building a team that combines deep expertise with passionate commitment to empowering young people to thrive.”
The youth engagement team continues to expand with two key additions. Olivia Bean, formerly with Morrison Center and Sweetser, joined as Youth & Family Engagement Coordinator in November 2024. Bean will work with both the Teen Center and the Strengthening Families program, bringing valuable experience in youth behavioral health support. This work to enhance support for local youth and families was funded by Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Nicole Brassard stepped into the role of Workforce Development Coordinator in October 2024, heading up the COAST program and coordinating Strengthening Families: Parents & Youth 10-14. Brassard brings valuable community connections as the current Bath Elementary PTA president and former Online Support Specialist at Bath Savings Institution. The COAST position is supported by a Maine Career Exploration grant through the State of Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.
These new members join MYC’s established staff across the Skatepark, Compass Afterschool & Summer programs, Merrymeeting Support Collaborative, Step Up Transitional Housing, COAST workforce development, and Waypoint program in RSU 1 middle and high schools. Together, the 23-member MYC team, which includes high school students, college students, and adults, serves nearly 1,000 youth annually through MYC programming across Sagadahoc County, Brunswick and Harpswell. The Teen Center and Skatepark maintain an impressive student-to-mentor ratio as low as 5-to-1 on most afternoons, ensuring personalized attention and support for every young person.