Media
My Place Teen Center is in the news. Read more to see what people are saying about our vision, our work, and our impact on the community.
Westbrook nonprofit seeks funds to keep new mission going
October 22, 2020
A Westbrook nonprofit that’s transformed into a mobile food pantry during the pandemic is determined to overcome a $300,000 shortfall that represents more than a third of its annual operating budget. MyPlace Teen Center, headed by President and CEO Donna Dwyer, normally provides an after-school oasis for at-risk youth ages 10 to 18 and has an annual operating budget of about $970,000.
Maine teen center adapts to serve community, faces $300K funding loss
October 21, 2020
My Place Teen Center in Westbrook has had to adapt to continue serving the community during the coronavirus pandemic, but it is also facing a serious loss in funding. The teen center has delivered more than 25,000 dinners to people in need, which is a record.
‘Go ahead and do it’: Business trailblazers talk leadership in Mainebiz forum
June 11, 2020
Wednesday’s hour-long discussion, moderated by Mainebiz Publisher Donna Brassard, was peppered with insights, personal anecdotes and advice from all five panelists on the leadership principles. Dwyer: Engage people and challenge the process.
Teen Center Steps Up, But Needs Help
April 15, 2020
My Place Teen Center is offering hundreds of free family meals to the community in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The teen center moved quickly to expand its free meal service to the community at large when the pandemic hit, offering meals to families, seniors and anyone else in need.
Westbrook Teen Center Offering Free Meals
March 24, 2020
WGME reports that in Westbrook, kids can eat for free thanks to My Place Teen Center. The center serves homemade meals Monday through Friday for kids and teens in the area, and now, they’re opening their services to anyone who needs a meal.
‘Right time, right place’ for My Place Teen Center
Nov 28, 2019
Portland Press Herald reports that it is the “right time, right place” for the new expansion of My Place Teen Center, which is to be located in former St. Andre Church, in the heart of Biddeford. The new center is poised to open September 2020, and it is estimated that between the Westbrook and Biddeford locations, 1,000 young people will be served.
Culinary Program a Way to Connect Kids to Caring, Supportive Adults
Oct 30, 2019
Youth Today, an independent, internationally-distributed digital media publication covering the youth service field, talks with MPTC’s CEO Donna Dwyer about how an innovative chef-led restaurant training program is helping My Place Teen Center reach out to Westbrook area youth.
New Teen Center to Open in Biddeford
Oct 10, 2019
WMTW talks to MPTC’s Donna Dwyer about a partnership with Southern Maine Affordable Housing to create a permanent safe haven for teens in Biddeford starting in the fall of 2020.
New Teen Center Will Open in Former Biddeford Church
Oct 8, 2019
Portland Press Herald reports on My Place Teen Center’s plans to convert the former St. Andre’s Church into a safe haven for teens and pre-teens. The Biddeford teen center will be a partnership between My Place Teen Center and Southern Maine Affordable Housing.
Westbrook Youth Programs Among 26 Nationwide Awarded New York Life Grants
August 7, 2019
New York Life Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to two Westbrook-based nonprofits, My Place Teen Center and Intercultural Community Center. The grant is one of 26 made to youth development organizations nationwide by the foundation.
Local food pantry works with My Place Teen Center teens to help the hungry
June 6, 2019
Teenagers from the My Place Teen Center joined organizers from the Stroudwater Food Pantry to pack grocery bags full of non-perishable food to help feed communities in Washington County. More
Afterschool Alliance, Met Life Choose MPTC for $100K “Aim High” Grant
June, 2019
New York Life Foundation, in collaboration with Afterschool Alliance, have awarded grants totaling $1.35M to out-of-school time programs serving disadvantaged middle school youth through Aim High. My Place Teen Center was one of only eight groups to be awarded the highest level of award – $100,000 payable over two years.
Restaurant Course Stirs Up Confidence
May 29, 2019
News Center takes an inside look at My Place Teen Center’s restaurant training enrichment course led by chef Christian Kryger, a former head chef at local restaurants including Portland’s Fore Street and Bar Lola. More
MPTC fundraising targets expansion to Biddeford
May 9, 2019
Two decades after starting a program to provide a safe after-school space for area youth, My Place Teen Center’s new fundraising campaign earmarks funds to open a second location in York County. More
MPTC Launches $6.5M Capital Campaign for Expansion in Biddeford
May 2, 2019
MaineBiz covers MPTC’s plans to raise $6.5 million to open a second teen center in July 2020 in the former St. Andre’s Church at 75 Bacon Street in Biddeford. The organization has already raised $2.7 million toward its capital campaign goal. More
Living Life with Lynda
Living Life Show Hosts Donna Dwyer
Apr 23, 2019
The Living Life with Lynda Show takes an in-depth look at non-profit organizations that make a difference in our communities. This week’s show focuses on My Place Teen Center’s powerful impact on area youth with a conversation between the show’s host Lynda Adams and MPTC’s Donna Dwyer. More
Maine Points Hosts My Place Teen Center
April 13, 2019
WGAN News radio features My Place Teen Center in their “Maine Points” podcast with Danny Martignetti. More
Richardson Magazine Names Donna Dwyer “Someone You Should Know”
April, 2019
Donna Dwyer is in the spotlight for April’s edition of Richardson Magazine as “Someone You Should Know.” More
Snack Drive Reaches Food-Insecure Teens
February 11, 2019
News Center looks at how My Place Teen Center provides daily meals for area youth and invites the community to take part in a snack drive. More
Bernstein Shur Clients Choose MPTC
February 8, 2019
Each year for the past 100 years, Bernstein Shur has chosen a beneficiary for its charitable giving. This year, they let their clients vote to select which one of five deserving organizations would receive $10,000. News Center Maine looks at why their choice was My Place Teen Center. More
Local Chef Offers Teens Restaurant Training Skills at MPTC
November 29, 2018
My Place Teen Center served more than 9,000 hot meals last year. Now the center is using that service to teach teens the ins and outs of food preparation and restaurant management under the guidance of chef Jesse Blaisdell. More
My Place Teen Center Celebrates 20 Years
May 3, 2018
Twenty years ago, with a $120,000 donation from the Cornelia Warren Association, My Place Teen Center opened in a space on the first floor of the Dana Warp Mill. Keep Me Current takes a closer look at the center’s accomplishments and plans for the future. More
Westbrook Teen Ashton Brown Runs Beach to Beacon for My Place Teen Center
August 3, 2016
Joan Benoit Samuelson Visits MPTC
July 12, 2016
MWTW follows olympic gold medalist and Maine native Joan Benoit Samuelson as she tours My Place Teen Center (MPTC). MPTC is the beneficiary of this year’s Beach to Beacon, a popular fundraising race founded by Samuelson with a mission to shine a light on kids. More
‘Songwriters in the Round’ Event Planned to Benefit Teen Center
April 6, 2016
Beach to Beacon Names My Place Teen Center as 2016 Beneficiary
February 10, 2016
The TD Charitable Foundation announced today that My Place Teen Center, a free, year-round, after-school youth development program for kids at-risk in Greater Portland, has been selected as the beneficiary of the 2016 TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race. More
MPTC Volunteer Deb Shangraw Wins “6 Who Care” Award for Advocacy
October 15, 2015
News Center profiles My Place Teen Center volunteer Deb Shangraw as one of 2015’s WCHS “6 Who Care” award winners. More
Changing lives: Donna Dwyer rebuilds dilapidated teen center, teen lives
March 23, 2015
My Place Teen Center Named 2014 Agency of Distinction
November 3, 2014
After 15 Years, Westbrook Teen Center Renamed
May 16, 2013
What was the Mission Possible Teen Center will now be called My Place Teen Center. More
RECENT
Press Releases
August/2019
New York Life Foundation Awards $100,000 Grant to My Place Teen Center and Intercultural Community Center in Westbrook to Support Out-of-School-Time Programs to Help Middle School Students Transition to 9th Grade View
July/2019
Wells Fargo “Pays It Forward” with Another $10,000 Grant to My Place Teen Center View
June/2019
My Place Teen Center Receives $14,000 from 100+ Women Who Care View
May/2019
My Place Teen Center to Announce $6.5M Capital Campaign to Expand Youth Development Programs With a Second Location in Biddeford View