OLD TOWN – The River Coalition and The Acadia Hospital recently joined forces to bring a program to area youth, and Challenge Day made a positive impact on those teens.

The River Coalition organized an intensive Challenge Day mentorship program at the Old Town-Orono YMCA during April 2-4 with 30 community members and 30 Old Town High School juniors volunteering to be trained as facilitators and mentors. On April 3 and 4 they were joined by half the sophomore class each day.

The coalition’s goal in partnership with Old Town High is to use the mentor program to build a process with one adult sponsor overseeing one junior mentor, who in turn mentors five sophomores. The sophomores and juniors share their experiences with area eighth-graders.

The Acadia Hospital also offered the Challenge Day program to 65 students from Brewer, Hermon, Nokomis and Presque Isle high schools during the third Get Connected! Conference at Bangor YMCA’s Camp Jordan. The Acadia Hospital’s primary goal was to expose participants to the power of the Challenge Day program, and to address issues of oppression, bullying and teasing that occur too often in schools.

Expert Challenge Day leaders Sumati Caliway and Ken Scheible, working from the metaphor of emotions as a balloon, explained that each time we hold in pain, loss or anger, it is like blowing air into a balloon. When the balloon gets full, feelings can leak out in negativity toward others, or pop, damaging the person holding them in.

Poignant moments came during activities such as the Power Shuffle, with participants lining up behind a line on one side of the floor. The object was to cross the line when what the facilitator says pertains to the participant. Caliway said before the exercise, “When you cross the line you are entering a world of less power and privilege – see what it feels like to cross the line and look back at those who remained behind.” Emotions began to come out as the Power Shuffle went on. No talking was allowed.

The final group discussion allowed participants to say what Challenge Day meant to them. Some apologized to others for past, hurtful remarks or behaviors. One girl spoke for many when she said that she thought she knew her friends, but now she saw them in a different light. A few called Challenge Day a life-changing experience.

The success of this year’s programs has prompted The Acadia Hospital and The River Coalition, in partnership with Old Town High School, to bring Challenge Day back to the area next year.

The Acadia Hospital, a member of Eastern Maine Healthcare, is a private, nonprofit psychiatric and chemical dependency hospital. Community Conversations attempts to prevent youth violence through activities like the annual Get Connected! Conference. Acadia organized Challenge Day with a generous donation from Bangor Noontime Rotary. Proceeds from their annual auction are designated for The Acadia Hospital. For information, call 973-6166.

The River Coalition, Inc. is a community-driven, nonprofit group dedicated to improving the quality of life for youth and their families. It strives to help reduce teen pregnancy, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, violence, and school dropout rates in Alton, Bradley, Greenbush, Indian Island, Milford and Old Town. For information, call 827-8744.