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Internship Hub of Aroostook’s Coordinator Prepares for Spring Launch

Jordyn Madore, the coordinator for the new Internship Hub of Aroostook
Jordyn Madore, the coordinator for the new Internship Hub of Aroostook

In January, with seed funding from Next Generation Foundation, AAI launched the Internship Hub of Aroostook which will serve Aroostook students throughout their college careers.  Aroostook Aspirations Initiative (AAI) has named Jordyn Madore as Program Coordinator for the Internship Hub of Aroostook program.  Jordyn Madore is a recent graduate of University of Maine at Farmington and 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.  Internship Hub placement will be open to any Aroostook County student who wants to experience an internship in Aroostook County.  AAI’s goal is to network, build connections, and develop meaningful opportunities for our partners and the interns they support.”

Jordyn Madore is a native to the Presque Isle area.  She attended Presque Isle High School and went on to receive a teaching degree in special education from the University of Maine at Farmington.  Thereafter, Jordyn enrolled at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and earned her degree in Elementary Education 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 programmatic 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, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Husson University, and the University of Maine at Fort Kent. AAI values its strategic partnerships with Aroostook County businesses including the Bangor Daily News, Pineland Farms, Katahdin Trust, Aroostook Medical Center, WAGM-TV, and Machias Savings Bank.  If you would like to learn more about this innovative program, visit www.gauvinfund.org, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or e-mail them at [email protected].  Donations are welcomed and can be made online, in person at AAI, 754 Main Street Presque Isle, 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.

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