aim high.
go far.
More than half of Maine’s young people live in rural communities.
Small towns and cities have many advantages but they can also be isolating — places where young people may find it a challenging to earn a living. While Maine’s high school graduation rate is high, educational attainment beyond high school falls well below the national average, holding many young people back – especially those from rural areas – and limiting their future opportunities for good paying jobs and fulfilling careers.
The Aspirations Incubator was created to meet this challenge.
THE LATEST FROM ASPIRATIONS INCUBATOR:
RYI Statement on the Meta Settlement
The Rural Youth Institute welcomes the Meta settlement as an important step toward accountability for the impact social media platforms have had on young people. But accountability is only the beginning.
If we are serious about helping young people thrive, we must look beyond making technology safer and invest in what young people need most: real relationships, meaningful connection, belonging, and opportunities to discover who they are and who they can become.
At RYI, we see the power of these investments every day through the Aspirations Incubator. Across rural Maine, trusted adults show up for young people over time. Youth build relationships with mentors and peers, engage with their communities, explore their aspirations, and develop the confidence and sense of belonging they need to navigate their futures.
Young people don't need digital substitutes for connection. They need more opportunities for real connection.
We believe the resources generated through this settlement should be used to strengthen the social infrastructure that makes that connection possible, including mentoring, afterschool and summer programs, experiential learning, youth development, and other community-based supports.
We have an opportunity to do more than reduce the harms of social media. We can invest in the relationships and communities that help young people thrive.
Let's use these resources to fund real life.
We want Maine’s young people to succeed.
To have good jobs, rewarding careers and fulfilling lives
To be part of a community that nurtures and supports them
To aim high, develop a plan for their future, and have the confidence to go as far as their talents and ambitions can take them
We want young people to have the aspirations, confidence and opportunity to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling, productive lives.
We developed a pilot initiative to create a youth development model for raising aspirations of young people in rural Maine.
Data indicate that Aspirations Incubator programs have a positive effect on youth participants and Aspirations Incubator participants enroll in 2- and 4-year college pathways at higher rates than peers from their high schools and the statewide average.
It all starts with Aspirations.
Aspirations Incubator Partner Sites
*Chewonki hosted the Waypoint program from 2017 – August 2023.
*MYC has served as the host of the Waypoint program from September 2023 to present.
Institutional Partnerships
Over the last 5 years, the Aspirations Incubator has been working to develop strategic partnerships with colleges and universities in Maine to ensure that aspiring high school graduates from rural communities have more opportunities for admission and scholarships. Through implementation of an innovative six-year youth development model in a variety of rural Maine communities, the program has successfully increased the resiliency of young people and introduced them to new post-secondary pathways.
What People Are Saying
“The kids that are involved in the program, you can see their self-confidence has increased, they feel more comfortable speaking for themselves. The big thing is that they are learning how to take care of themselves, no matter what the issue is.”
— High School Principal
“It has helped me learn to make new friends in different ways. I have learned many valuable life skills, like how to give a speech publicly without looking confused or nervous. This program is amazing, and I plan on sticking with it until the end.”
— 8th Grade Student
“This program has helped me grow as a person and made me much more confident in myself and my abilities.”
— 10th Grade Student
