I left because I was told there was no opportunity here. I've come back because now all I see are opportunities.
It's funny, really. The reason I left the north is the very reason I've returned. When I was growing up in Maine I was told there was absolutely no chance to have a creative career here. That if I wanted to take art seriously, I'd have to go to NYC or LA. I left because I believed there was no opportunity here. I've come back because now all I see are opportunities. And when I was gone all I could think about was all the young people growing up with the same limited beliefs that I had.
I left because I was told there was no opportunity here. I've come back because now all I see are opportunities.
Perhaps it takes leaving the small town you grow up in order to grow to appreciate it. That was definitely my story. I left the tiny coastal village of Blue Hill, Maine, and went to the big city to pursue a career in media. But I always knew I'd come back. When I could afford it, or when an opportunity presented itself. I've since learned that there was always opportunity here, I just needed to learn where to look for it.
When our organization creates a program we look at it as a gift to the north east. We ask ourselves what young adults are lacking support in, and how we can better serve them. From this question has come many great answers, some of which have already proven to be incredibly impactful in our programming solutions.
I believe it's my job to uncover and present opportunities to young adults here. To make known all of the incredible options we have in various careers and endeavors. To uplift and encourage teens here who feel like their future won't get further than a gas station job around the block.
Don't give up on the north just yet. We're here to help.
