In January, with seed funding from Next Generation Foundation, the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative launched the Internship Hub of Aroostook, which will serve Aroostook students throughout their college careers. AAI has named Jordyn Madore as program coordinator for the Internship Hub of Aroostook program.
Jordyn Madore
Jordyn Madore is a recent graduate of University of Maine at Farmington and the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
April Flagg, executive director of AAI, underscores that the Internship Hub of Aroostook is ultimately about enriching educational and professional development opportunities for college students, supporting County business internship goals and reversing the outward migration of Aroostook County youth. AAI invests in the future of Aroostook County by investing in Aroostook youth.
“We have long-term plans to substantially grow the Internship Hub of Aroostook. Our founding year is about developing and expanding relationships with County partners, identifying business needs for interns, gauging student interest, and coordinating our work with the three universities and our community college system,” Flagg said.
“Internship Hub placement will be open to any Aroostook County student who wants to experience an internship in Aroostook County,” she continued. “AAI’s goal is to network, build connections, and develop meaningful opportunities for our partners and the interns they support.”
Madore is a native to the Presque Isle area. She attended Presque Isle High School and earned a teaching degree in special education from UMF. Thereafter, she earned her degree in Elementary Education at UMPI while continuing to serve the special needs population through her work in local agencies.
Her role as the coordinator of internships at Aroostook Aspirations Initiative will afford her the opportunity to manage internship placements, work collaboratively with County universities and colleges, and to meet with Aroostook businesses across the region.
Ray and Sandy Gauvin founded Aroostook Aspirations Initiative in 2013 with an initial endowment of $400,000. Providing scholarship opportunities and an internship experience for students has been a goal since the early days of the organization.
AAI President Sandy Gauvin welcomed Jordyn, saying, “In addition to her new assignment at AAI, Jordyn also provides community and family support to area children with special needs. With her educational and social work credentials, as well as her love for Aroostook County, Jordyn is a perfect fit for Aroostook Aspirations and the Internship Hub of Aroostook.”
Celebrating its second anniversary in mid-April, Aroostook Aspirations Initiative welcomed its first class of Gauvin Scholars in May 2014 and another class in 2015. Annual scholarships are awarded to at least one graduating senior in every Aroostook County high school. Recipients receive mentoring, guidance, and support throughout their college experience, and participate in weekend retreats, attend a formal celebratory gala, and serve as key volunteers in Heidi’s Hope, an AAI community service day that also raises money for the scholarship endowment.
AAI has a 24-member board of directors that represents each region of The County and the state of Maine and partners with all 16 Aroostook public schools districts, Northern Maine Community College, UMPI, Husson University, and the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
AAI has strategic partnerships with Aroostook County businesses including the Bangor Daily News, Pineland Farms, Katahdin Trust, The Aroostook Medical Center, WAGM-TV, and Machias Savings Bank. To learn more, visit www.gauvinfund.org, like on Facebook, follow on Twitter, or e-mail at info@gauvinfund.org.
Donations are welcomed and can be made online, in person at AAI’s 754 Main St., Presque Isle, office or by mail: 26 North Street Box 138, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Businesses interested in learning more about this program and how AAI can help them create and maintain a strong internship program should call the office at (207) 760-0558.
