Local teen center furthers its mental health mission by acquiring former Bath Armory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2023

Local teen center furthers its mental health mission by acquiring former Bath Armory

To further its mission to empower Midcoast youth to be healthy, engaged, and resilient, Midcoast Youth Center (MYC) announces that it has reached an agreement with the City of Bath to acquire the former Bath Armory property located at 4 Old Brunswick Road, Bath, Maine. The City Council unanimously approved the sale at its May 3, 2023 City Council meeting.

Under lease to MYC since 2020, the former Bath Armory houses MYC’s bustling teen center which serves over 600 youth annually by providing a safe place to access free after-school enrichment, workforce development, and homecooked meals, while also providing support for youth experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and/or substance use disorders, through a team approach with several of its community partners.

In addition, the Amory is home to MYC’s Bath Skatepark, the largest indoor skatepark in Maine, where local youth stay active year-round and where youth staff learn critical workforce development skills. The skatepark welcomes 400 skateboard, scooter, and BMX riders of all ages from across New England each year and the fees generated through sessions and birthday parties support the mental health mission of MYC.

Recent data from the 2021 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey shows that only half of students in Sagadahoc County feel that they matter to their community. 33% of middle schoolers and 42% of high schoolers feel sad or hopeless, and 23% and 24%, respectively, have seriously considered suicide in the past year.

As our local community grapples with a significant rise in youth mental health concerns, Midcoast Youth Center has emerged as a model that works to improve youth wellbeing and create a sense of belonging.

“We are very pleased to have the support of the Bath City Council and the City of Bath, as they take action to show youth that they matter by partnering with us for a healthy future,” says Jamie Dorr, Executive Director who founded the organization in 2016 in response to several local youth suicide deaths.

“By acquiring the former Bath Armory, we can make much needed safety repairs and improvements that will allow us to serve young people more effectively, while working toward a long-term vision of a thriving youth complex, where local kids and families are engaged, connected, and supported. Thank you, City of Bath!”

For more information contact Jamie Dorr, Executive Director, at jamie@midcoastyouth.org or Doran Wright, Board Chair, doran@midcoastyouth.org.

 

Since established in 2016, MYC has become a thriving youth hub that serves 600 youth and families a year, with a commitment to providing free programming that is inclusive for all, regardless of income. Our core team members are long-time community leaders with a wealth of knowledge and connections throughout our city, county, and state, who are committed to children’s emotional health as a priority for building on the future of our communities. MYC’s mission is to empower Midcoast youth to be healthy, engaged, and resilient, by offering recreation, education & enrichment, leadership & life skills, referrals to mental health support & substance use treatment, and support to youth experiencing housing insecurity. Our vision is a suicide-free Midcoast community where the physical and emotional needs of youth are met through comprehensive programming and social services; where youth are inspired and equipped to realize a promising future.