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September 21, 2025 2025 Giving Guide

Wayfinder Schools

 

2026 Goals

This year, Wayfinder will serve 75 Maine youth who need a second chance at high school graduation. More than half of our students have experienced food and housing insecurity and approximately 30% are young parents. All have struggled in traditional school settings.

Wayfinder students receive individualized strengths-based instruction in their own homes as they work toward the completion of 24 core requirements in academics, parenting and practical life skills. Our graduates consistently report increased confidence, community connection, life skills, job skills and work-readiness.

Our goals for the coming year include:

1. To serve at least 75 Maine youth who need a second chance at high school graduation.

2. To ensure our students graduate with the confidence, community connection, practical life skills, job skills and work-readiness they need to find post-secondary success in Maine.

3. To ensure all students have access to arts education, outdoor education and career exploration opportunities.

Fundraising events/Opportunities

Wayfinder is looking forward to hosting several events this school year, including our Fall Open House on Oct. 22, 2025 at our Camden campus and our popular Finding Our Way live storytelling event on May 1, 2026 at the Camden Opera House. Wayfinder events provide extensive opportunities for business and donor support; joining our events host committee; advertising in an events program; or making in-kind donations. More information about sponsorship opportunities and benefits may be found at www.wayfinderschools.org.

Giving Opportunities

Every donation made to Wayfinder Schools helps ensure Maine youth are able to graduate from high school and find post-secondary success in their Maine communities. Many of our graduates are the first in their families to complete high school. Most stay here in Maine to work and raise their families. A gift to Wayfinder helps strengthen Maine families and communities for generations to come.

You can support Wayfinder Schools by making a donation by check or online; attending or sponsoring an event; or making a gift in honor of a student, graduate, teacher, friend, or loved one.

Volunteer Opportunities

Wayfinder is fortunate to have a dedicated team of community partners and volunteers who help ensure success for our students and our school. We can’t do this important work without them! This year’s volunteer opportunities include:

1. leading a workshop;

2. serving as an advisor on a graduation project; and

3. joining our fundraising and events planning committee!

At A Glance

Established: 1910 / Employees: 10.5 / Annual revenue: $960,697

Top funding sources

47% Grants, donations and fundraising

33% Investment income

20% Program income

Contact

79 Washington St.

Camden, ME 04843

207-236-3000

www.wayfinderschools.org
facebook.com/wayfinderschools/
instagram.com/wayfinder_schools/

Awards/Accolades

In recent years, Wayfinder has been recognized by Bangor Savings Bank, Machias Savings Bank, the Sun Journal, the Camden Rotary Club, West Bay Rotary Club, Maine Women’s Giving Tree, 100 Men Who Care of Southern Maine, the Maine Marathon, and Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education, among others.

Mission Statement

Wayfinder is an alternative high school serving Maine youth who need a second chance at graduation. Our mission is to provide students with the experience necessary to discover their strengths and skills, connect with their families, practice personal responsibility, contribute to their communities, and earn a high school diploma.

Service locations

Wayfinder serves students in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington and York counties. Our main campus is in Camden.

Leadership

Andrea Vassallo
Executive Director

Board officers

Jerry McQueeney, Board Chair, President, Boost Employee Benefits Corp.

Charrisse Kaplan, Board Co-Vice Chair, Managing Partner, Family-Owned Commercial Real Estate

Jim Butler, Board Co-Vice Chair, Retired Human Resources Director

David Vickrey, Board Treasurer, Managing Principal, Seabridge Advisors

Wendelanne Augunas, Board Secretary, Integrated Health Clinician, Pen Bay Medical Center

Board Members

Barbara Johnson, Casco Bay Long Island Administrator and Operations Coordinator, Long Island School

Julia Johnston, Durham Retired Teacher & Architect

Greg Marley, Rockland Retired Behavioral Health Clinician

Rose Piscuskas, Cumberland Maine Families Home Visitor/The Opportunity Alliance

Frank Trocco, Freedom Associate Professor Emeritus, retired