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Last updated on December 27, 2005

KEYS of Promise has as its purpose: Increased well being for youth and families through asset development to prevent substance use and abuse and other problem behaviors among KEYS (Kittery, Eliot, York, & South Berwick) youth. The project uses two primary strategies: 1) Increasing availability and accessibility of primary and secondary juvenile delinquency prevention programs through the support and expansion of the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets and the Five Fundamental Resources of America's Promise, and 2) Building community capacity for change through increased coordination and collaboration among providers and users of programs for children and their families.

Description:
KEYS of Promise is a project of York Hospital. We manage over 40 community based programs focused on mentoring, after school, community service, youth development activities, Communities Mobilzing for Change on Alcohol Environmental Strategies, Leadership and Resilency among other youth and prevention based services. The objectives include: A) Increase and expand mentoring opportunities; B) Increase and expand safe places during time away from school; C) Increase and expand programs that support children ages birth-5 and their families; D) Increase and expand opportunities to participate in experiential job skills programs; E) Increase and expand interdisciplinary collaboration among service providing agencies that support youth and families in our region. F) Continue to address factors in our communities that increase the risk of substance abuse among youth by participating in area coalitions that support reduction and prevention of substance use among area youth

KEYS of Promise has over 30 partners and is a collaborative partner of Choose to Be Healthy, the Community Wellness Coalition, Law Enforcement, school departments, local businesses Community Asset Builders and the Children’s Leadership Councils from Kittery, Eliot, York and South Berwick.

History:
KEYS of Promise is a project of York Hospital. This project was born out of a merger of two youth-oriented initiatives, KEYS 4 Prevention and Community Asset Builders. KEYS 4 Prevention was founded in 2002 and is a local substance abuse prevention coalition. Community Asset Builders founded in 1997 by the Community Wellness Coalition and focuses on the five fundamental resources as defined by America’s Promise. Joining together these two projects will be a stronger voice to address the needs of the youth in the KEYS towns (Kittery, Eliot, York and South Berwick).

Contact people:

Melissa Boyd, Director, (phone), (email) Kimberly Plaisted, Business Manager, (phone) Andrea Warren, Leadership And Resilency Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (207) 439-8764

Address:

15 Hospital Drive York, ME 03909 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.yorkhospital.com

Directions:

Directions to Community Wellness Coalition offices 518 Rt. 1, Kittery, Maine (Mailing address: 15 Hospital Dr., York, Maine 03909 --this is NOT our location) 207-438-9100 From I-95, both north and south, take "The Yorks" exit (it is Exit 4, on the south side of the tollbooths where you pay $1.50). Please note that there is another exit 4 further north on I-95, in the Biddeford/Saco area! Don't be confused by this. The Exit 4 that you should take says "The Yorks" on the sign, and is close to mile marker 6. (That is, about 6 miles north of the NH border.) At the end of the exit ramp, if you are coming from the north turn left, and if you are coming from the south turn right. At the stoplight, turn right on to US Rte. 1 south. We are about 2 miles from that point, at 518 Rt. 1 in Kittery, just past the York/Kittery border. Note when you cross the York River (the only bridge over water that you will cross); soon after the river, you will pass Salmon Falls Pottery and the Town Line Restaurant on your right. We are the next paved driveway on the left. There is a large sign saying "Community Resource Center" as well as York Parks and Recreation, and a small sign saying "Enter 518." As you turn left into this driveway, you will see a small strip mall with Dominoes Pizza, a credit union, Mainely Stamps, and a small restaurant. Drive up the small hill past the mall. You will see an off-white building in front of you. There will be a large green sign on the front of the building that says Community Wellness Coalition. Park your car and enter under the sign. Directions if you come on Rt. 1: From the north just follow Route 1 south to the strip mall (see above.) From the south, take Route 1 to the north end of the Kittery Outlets. We are about a mile from Yummies Candy Store at the stoplight just north of the outlets. Continue to the strip mall on your right and turn right into the driveway and on up the hill. Welcome!

Miscellaneous Information

Name of Executive Director (or equivalent) if not listed above:
	Melissa A. Boyd
Type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)3
Is your organization a Health and Human Service agency?
	Yes

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