NSB Commits $10,000 Contribution to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine

PORTLAND— Investing in our youth and strengthening our workforce are crucial elements of ensuring Maine thrives in the decades to come. They are also the focus of an inspiring project at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine (BGCSM), located on Cumberland Avenue in Portland. 

“The new Bridge to Success Teen Center will offer workforce development programs that prepare young people for the jobs of tomorrow. Inside the Career Training Lab, teens will learn hands-on skills in trades, technology, and career readiness, bridging the gap between education and employment,” said Rose Splint, a campaign coordinator at BGCSM.

Norway Savings Bank representatives were thrilled to stop by the organization and make a $10,000 commitment to the project on May 22 (picture, caption below).

“BGCSM serves over 2,500 individuals each year in supportive afterschool and summer programming. Those programs alone make an indelible impact. To continue and help Maine employers bridge the gap between jobs and a skilled talent pool in the future is both forward-thinking and incredibly helpful to Maine,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “NSB is proud to lend a helping hand in providing these opportunities for career exposure, skill development, and workforce readiness.”

The project includes construction of the new 13,000 square-foot center which can welcome up to 500 youth each day, tripling current teen capacity and offering a Career Incubation Lab, a Technology Center & Digital Arts Studio, and much more.

Local teens will leave high school not only with a diploma, but with clarity around their career path and a plan to pursue it.

“We thank Norway Savings Bank for its leadership and meaningful commitment to the Bridge to Success Teen Center. We are incredibly grateful for the support and partnership in expanding career-readiness opportunities for the young people we serve,” said Colleen Cooper, CEO of BGCSM. “This generous support of workforce development will directly impact our community’s youth and families, and we’re excited to bring such relevant and timely programs to life with partners like NSB.”

To learn more about BGCSM, including the many ways you can offer assistance, visit the organization’s website at www.bgcmaine.org or call 207-874-1069.

Pictured (L to R): Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank; Rodrigo Arcibar, Norway Savings Bank Branch Manager in Yarmouth; Darci Hamm, Chief Operating Officer EVP for Norway Savings Bank; Melissa Rock, Marketing Director SVP for Norway Savings Bank; Colleen Cooper, CEO of BGCSM; Katie Kondrat, BGCSM