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Partner
Profile
Cheng-Li
“Charlie” Liu grew up in the Bangor area and
graduated from the University of Maine with a degree
in New Media Studies.
Since then, instead of taking off for a
high-tech, high priced job out of state, Charlie has
dedicated himself to serving youth in need of a
little extra guidance.
For
the past two years, Charlie has worked hard to
create a safe and positive place for teens ages
13-18 years, to do homework, learn life skills, have
fun, and just hang out—a place of their own.
Inspired through his own experience, managing
the Teen
Center
has been more than just another job. “Mentors
who extended a helping hand saved me when I was a
teenager. Becoming
a mentor myself is my way to ‘pay it
forward.’”
Similarly,
Charlie says that collaboration with UMaine on Common Corner, the COPC newsletter by youth and for youth, made
sense. “I
believe Bangor
needs more positive things for teenagers to do.
The newsletter, like the Teen Center, is an
important outlet that helps to give kids a sense of
place and identity.”
Located at the
Salvation Army on 65 South Park Street
in
Bangor, Charlie has been grateful for the space, but he
would like to be able to have a place to call their
own. “There’s only so much space we can use, and
limiting this also limits our programs.
We would love to have more space for such
activities as our game room, the art
and study room, our Jam "Blue" room, and
the gym.”
In
an effort to sustain these programs and possibly
expand, Charlie, along with many community
supporters have launched a capital campaign. The
official kick-off began Friday June 1st with an Open
House at the Teen
Center. The
goal is to raise $50,000 from a combination of $100
contributions, grant funding, and fundraising
projects. Reaching
our goal will require a serious commitment by the
community. And,
as Charlie points out, the campaign is also a prime
life lesson in community service, “We
hope this will help promote ownership among our
members—to help teens give back to the community
through community service projects and
fundraisers.”
http://www.thepowerhouseteencenter.org/
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