OUT Maine staff recently enjoyed an overnight retreat at Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership on the Center’s island in Penobscot Bay. After a challenging pandemic year — plus a time of extensive growth for OUT Maine’s programs and staff — the retreat offered a most welcome opportunity to reconnect, rejuvenate and plan for the future.
Previously this summer, OUT Maine worked with Hurricane Island to provide youth opportunities for summer programming experience in their High School Marine Biology and Women of Water programs. “This partnership is a great model for all programs seeking to provide more inclusive and welcoming programs and serve as strong allies for Maine’s queer youth,” said Jeanne Dooley, OUT Maine executive director, who added special thanks to all Hurricane Island staff who are making this collaboration grow.
The staff retreat was also the first time OUT Maine’s two new staff members joined the “old-timers” in person.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to be on the beautiful island, connect with Hurricane Island’s great staff and programs and get our creative juices flowing,” Dooley said. “We are very grateful for Hurricane Island’s strong support of our work to support, educate and empower LGBTQ+ youth.”
OUT Maine has an ambitious goal: to create more welcoming and affirming communities for Maine’s diverse queer youth in all of their intersectional identities by changing the very systems that serve them. For more information, visit outmaine.org.
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