The Governor awarded $10,500 each to the Mitchell Institute, Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, and Camp Susan Curtis.
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has awarded additional funding from her dedication to three Maine nonprofits that support the growth and success of Maine’s youth. Governor Mills awarded $10,500 each to the Mitchell Institute, the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, and Camp Susan Curtis.
“From day one, the success and well-being of Maine’s children has been at the heart of my leadership. I am proud to donate the funds left over from my dedication to the important organizations founded by three great Maine leaders – Senator George Mitchell, Senator Olympia Snowe, and Governor Ken Curtis – who are dedicated to all to help our young people succeed,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I hope these grants will allow the Mitchell Institute, the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, and Camp Susan Curtis to strengthen their important work to help children in Maine.”
“We are very grateful to receive these funds from the Honors Committee and Governor Mills,” said former US Senator George Mitchell. “This scholarship will create lasting and direct benefits to high school graduates from Maine who hope to earn a college degree and contribute to the state’s future workforce.”
“I am very grateful that, with the support of donors, Governor Mills and his Initiative Committee selected my Office of Women’s Leadership to partner with the Mitchell Institute and Camp Susan Curtis in receiving its start-up money. The Governor’s generous gift will help further the Institute’s mission to build the confidence and self-esteem of Maine girls,” said US Senator Olympia Snowe. “Captain Mills’ relationship with my Institute goes back to her first year in office as the first female governor of our great state. In the fall of 2019, he attended our annual Fall Forum and spoke to more than 500 Olympia leaders participating in our program. As I said at the time, Janet’s many successes and achievements will serve as a great example to our Olympian leaders, in our state, you can be a whatever you want – and I continue to be grateful for her continued support of the Institute’s efforts to show girls across Maine that there are no limits to what women can achieve.
“Our hope – almost 50 years ago – was to honor our daughter Susan by helping children in need. The children who come to Camp Susan Curtis are facing a struggle. important to their daily lives. But we believe that every Maine child should be a kid and enjoy summer camp, no matter what they are,” said former Governor Curtis. “All children need the encouragement of adults who believe in them, the opportunity to be brave and try new things, and a place where they feel they belong. This is what Governor Mills can do for needy children through his donation to Camp Susan Curtis. It shows children that they are important, and that they are capable of more. We are honored by Governor Mills’ commitment to all Maine children.
The Mitchell Institute, founded by former US Senator George J. Mitchell, is guided by the deep belief that no Maine student with the skills and desire to pursue a college education should be denied. The Institute awards a scholarship to one graduate student from each public high school in Maine. In addition to the scholarship, the Mitchell Institute also provides scholarship recipients, known as Mitchell Scholars, with personal and professional development opportunities and support. Since its inception in 1995, the Mitchell Institute has opened the full capacity of 3,400 Maine high school graduates in the state.
The Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, founded by US Senator Olympia J. Snowe, strives to raise the confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the necessary skills lead their lives, families, businesses, and communities. The Institute offers a unique program focused on helping participants develop their assets, voice, and knowledge. Since its launch in 2015, participation has grown from 49 high school girls – known as “Olympia’s Leaders” – to 555 participants in 16 counties. About 600 students have graduated from the program three years since its inception.
Camp Susan Curtis, founded nearly 50 years ago by former Governor Ken Curtis, offers Maine children facing economic hardship a caring, gentle environment to build trust and make meaningful connections while being outsourced. Our two-week camp curriculum is designed to stimulate awareness among campers, give them opportunities to try new activities and challenge them to explore the world around them in a different way. support where they can make mistakes and recover. Our compassionate staff are trained to support children’s mental, emotional, and social health. Since its founding nearly 50 years ago, Camp Susan Curtis has impacted the lives of more than 18,000 children, creating a greater experience that all Maine children can hope for. in wealth and have time to grow.
Governor Mills has prioritized the welfare and well-being of Maine children, investing historic money in Maine schools, making higher education more affordable, and providing more educational opportunities. so that all Maine children have a fair shot at success.
In 2021, the Governor signed a two-year budget that fully funded the state’s education sector for the first time in history. Through other investments, the Governor is expanding child care, increasing pay for early childhood educators, and expanding Pre-K availability across the state so children have a place safe to learn and grow.
The Governor also offered free community college – an initiative celebrated by First Lady Jill Biden and US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona – which led to enrollment in the Maine Community College System. In addition to his renewal of the Opportunity Maine Tax Credit, which provides $25,000 in student loan relief, Governor Mills has made the dream of higher education accessible to Maine people.
Additionally, last year, the Governor launched the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative to provide 1,000 Maine students from low-income families with hands-on outdoor learning experiences. The project provides students with experiences designed to increase self-confidence and develop teamwork and leadership skills. Through the Maine Career Exploration initiative of its Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, Maine is connecting 6,000 young people with paid work experiences with employers across the state.
Shortly after taking office, the Governor reinvigorated the Maine Children’s Council, which brings together state agencies to improve and promote the healthy development of children and youth in Maine.