Teen leadership camp’s summer program receives grant

    CARIBOU — The Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp (ATLC) program recently received $2,500 from the Maine Community Foundation’s “Pine Tree Fund for Aroostook County” to help support its summer camp program.     According to Jack Foster, ATLC program coordinator, this grant will help to replace state funding that was lost at the beginning of this year. The loss of state funding has made the future of ATLC uncertain, Foster said, and efforts are under way to find funding sources at the local, state, and regional level by Jan. 2010 to replace this funding loss.
    ATLC started in 1987, and is sponsored by Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. ATLC is a county-wide leadership and drug prevention program developing teen leaders who encourage students in grades six through nine not to use alcohol and other illegal drugs, while remaining drug-free themselves. Staff provides teen leaders with the necessary knowledge, skills, training, and support to work effectively with students at a residential summer camp and in follow-up activities during the school year. Between 150 to 225 students are impacted each year by the program, which was nationally recognized in 2004 as one of five “Exemplary Prevention Programs” in the country.
    The Maine Community Foundation has been partnering with donors and community groups to strengthen Maine through grants and scholarships for 25 years. Additional information regarding the program can by found at www.mainecf.org or by calling toll-free 1-877-700-6800.