Community Helps Restore Youth Program’s Office after Biddeford Fire
(left to right) Lou Hendricks, Team Coordinator; Allycia LeCompte, Case Manager; Amber Zuchara, Case Manager; and Don Lauzier, Vice President of Community Relations at Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution in our new Biddeford office.
(Release April 27, 2007) On a cold Saturday in November, a fire destroyed the offices of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Program (JDAP) at 64 Alfred Street in Biddeford. Volunteers of America Northern New England and Youth Alternatives manage this state-wide program for at-risk youth, which is funded by the Maine Department of Corrections. Most important, all of the staff members were safe. However, the office, all of its equipment, and many irreplaceable personal items were destroyed. In addition, there was little money to replace these items. To nobody’s surprise, it didn’t take long for the community to step forward to help.
Most important, all of the staff members were safe. However, the office, all of its equipment, and many irreplaceable personal items were destroyed. In addition, there was little money to replace these items. To nobody’s surprise, it didn’t take long for the community to step forward to help.
Thanks to a relationship established during the United Way of York County’s Day of Caring, Volunteers of America Northern New England contacted Don Lauzier, Vice President of Community Relations, at Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution. He offered to lead the effort to help the program furnish a new office. “This is what community is all about,” said Mr. Lauzier. “In this community, we help each other – especially in times of need. That is an important part of the heritage of our organization and certainly a valued strength of our community. We felt fortunate to be able to help and so did many others – most of whom wish to remain anonymous.”
According to June Koegel, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Northern New England, “We were able to open a temporary office immediately at the Paul Hazelton House in Saco, which is an affordable senior housing community that we run. This allowed us to continue to serve area at-risk youth without missing a beat. However, the major challenge was finding a new office and replacing everything that was lost in the fire.”
“Mr. Lauzier organized a community-wide effort to find the items needed to create a new home for the organization,” Koegel said. “This allowed us to find a new office, and more important, to continue to provide services to area youth.” Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution and Current Publishing, publishers of the Sun-Chronicle, provided desks, chairs and other office equipment. Another local business, who wishes to remain anonymous, donated office supplies.
“We often hear that good things can “rise from the ashes” of this type of disastrous situation,” Koegel said. “This was a truly heartwarming experience for all of us involved with this program. We are truly blessed and grateful to everyone that has made this possible.”
There are still a few items needed including: a sofa or love seat, two book cases, area rugs (8x10 feet and smaller), wall art, and a sound screen/partition to place between desks. They can be new or gently used.
If you would like to help with a tax-deductible donation (item or money), please contact: Glenn Michaels at Volunteers of America, 14 Maine Street, Suite 205, Brunswick, Maine 04011 or contact us by phone at 207-373-1140 (ext. 216) or by email at glenn.michaels@voanne.org. Please indicate that your donation is for the JDAP Program in Biddeford.
Volunteers of America Northern New England, Inc. is a national, non-profit, spiritually based organization providing local human service programs and opportunities for individual and community involvement. For more than 100 years, Volunteers of America has partnered with individuals and organizations to serve those in need. Youth Alternatives, a nonprofit social service agency founded in 1972, advances safe, happy, healthy childhoods and positive family relationships. Through its comprehensive continuum of care, Youth Alternatives creates homes for vulnerable children and youth; supports families in need, conflict or crisis; reaches out to homeless youth; and ensures safety by working to prevent child abuse and neglect.
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