CULTIVATING LEADERS TO FEAR LESS, LOVE MORE AND DREAM BIGGER (Spring 2026). Tree Street Youth (TSY) is a Lewiston, Maine-based community of youth and adults who use their diverse lived experiences and collective empowerment to co-create youth-centered programs and partnerships that encourage leadership, learning, exploration and growth. TSY is grounded in radical accessibility and relationships rooted in equity and care. Founded in 2011 as a grassroots afterschool organization, TSY has grown into a robust ecosystem offering accessible, year-round programming for Lewiston area youth ages 4–24. Located in the heart of downtown Lewiston, TSY serves over 1,200 youth annually, with more than 25 languages spoken in the center.

For over 15 years, TSY has partnered with youth and families to remove barriers, cultivate leadership and create pathways toward learning, well-being and long-term success. TSY’s programs span academic support, workforce development, leadership and civic engagement, mentoring and prevention-focused alternatives to punitive systems. By working in close partnership with schools, employers and community organizations/providers, TSY strengthens the systems surrounding young people while keeping youth voices central in this work.

Tree Street Youth concentrates on supporting each youth to reach six primary Milestone and Annual Targets:

Milestone Targets:
1. Academic: Achieve high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., HISET, GED).
2. Juvenile Justice: No juvenile record or be clear of oversight by 18 years old.
3. Workforce: Get a first job and receive first check.
4. Aspiration Vision: Have a written work/higher education plan implemented within the first six months after graduation or turning 18.

Annual Cultivation Targets:
5. Novel Experiences: Engage in a minimum of four of significant “first-time” experiences annually grounded in the ACORN model (Arts, Community Organized event, Recreation and Nature-based experiences).
6. Team Participation: Participate on a formal team working towards a measurable aligned goal.

TSY meets young people exactly where they are. This work recognizes that thriving youth need more than programs—they need trusted adults, safe spaces and systems that see their strengths. TSY serves youth who are navigating complex challenges, including poverty, school disconnection, language barriers, justice involvement and limited access to resources. Through community-based, youth-centered programming, TSY helps young people build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging while staying connected to their families and wider community.

Every weekday, TSY offers robust, free afterschool and leadership programming that nurtures creativity, wellness and real-world skill building. Daily afterschool programs serve elementary through high school youth with arts, athletics and enrichment activities grounded in play and exploration. Leadership and workforce initiatives provide paid internships and hands-on experience, while additional offerings—such as free driver’s education—help remove practical barriers as young people move toward independence and adulthood.

Beyond afterschool programming, TSY maintains a co-creative partnership with Lewiston Public Schools to support students with additional connection, mentorship and alternative academic pathways to success. Through collaborative, youth-centered initiatives, TSY helps young people stay engaged in their education, rebuild confidence and strengthen relationships with their peers and communities. These partnerships reflect our belief that long-term, relationship-driven support can meaningfully shift outcomes for youth.

In the image, Teen Street Leaders support WILLOW elementary students in summer camp programming.

Clowes Fund Field(s) of Interest: Workforce Development

Grantees