The Board of Directors of the Maine Youth Alliance, which oversees the programs of the Game Loft and I Know ME in Belfast and at Mt. View in Thorndike, announces the appointment of Dr. Caer Hallundbaek to the position of Executive Director.

Hallundbaek brings 25 years of leadership experience to the role, combined with a deep passion for supporting the youth of Waldo County, to further advance the mission of the organization that celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Caer as our new Executive Director,” said Patricia Estabrook, co-founder of the Game Loft, in a news release. “We know that she will bring experience, enthusiasm, and great communication skills to our organization.” 

Hallundbaek has served as past president of Maine Media Women, as executive director of the Godspeed Institute and other organizations, and as an award-winning TV producer on education for Maine Public. She is also known for administrating programs in the communities of Waldo County and throughout the Midcoast, including inclusive programming that supports the intentional integration of neurotypical and neurodiverse kids. She holds a doctorate in compassion-centered interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University.

Hallundbaek identifies personally with the important role of mentoring youth, and how the impact can propel the trajectory of a kid’s life. At an impressionable time, a teacher in high school helped her grow as a writer, with a nurturing peer group, and helped pave the way for her development in young adulthood.

Patricia and Ray Estabrook co-founded the Game Loft in 1998.

“Similarly, the programs that Ray and Patricia built provide safe spaces where middle school and high school youth can find a sense of belonging, be their authentic selves in community, and enjoy activities and a healthy meal. But it’s their connection that makes the difference—or, the magic that happens as kids go through the green door,” said Hallundbaek.

‘The green door’ is beside 78A Main Street in Belfast, and it leads upstairs to the Game Loft, where friendship, fun and food await any Waldo County youth after school—free of charge —including transportation services.

A self-confessed “Harry Potter nerd,” Hallundbaek considers the green door akin to Diagon Alley, a magical place hidden right in the middle of town. At this time, the magic is continuing into a second generation.

“I started attending the Game Loft when I was eleven,” says Kevin, who then stayed all the way through high school graduation. Now in his 20s, he realizes that this relationship has accompanied him for half his life. “I continue to return to host games, and it’s great to see the younger students attending now. I will always be there if the Loft needs me.”

Alongside the Game Loft program, there are I Know ME programs in RSU 71 and RSU 3. These programs help raise the aspirations of kids by allowing them to explore and learn more about Maine, with mentoring as a foundational part of the fun activities. Cohorts of ten kids beginning in the 7th grade have this unique opportunity to learn about Maine, visit all of the state parks, attend Maine’s food festivals, meet with representatives at the State House, and other memorable opportunities.

“I believe the organization’s distinctive mission is really about the urgency of helping young people build foundational relationships grounded in empathy and using strengths-based methods,” said Mary Alice McLean, RSU 71 superintendent and a board member of the Maine Youth Alliance. “This helps them discover their best selves, interests, and passions.”

“Every kid who enters the Game Loft or I Know ME program is important,” said Patricia Estabrook. “Their dreams are real and fragile and meaningful. Caer will nurture those dreams, strengthen the vision, and elevate the program far beyond its present form so that Waldo County kids can thrive.”

While the Estabrooks hope that the new executive director will “put her own mark” on the organization, Hallundbaek also shares that, regardless of any new developments, the founding ethos of the organization will remain the same: “Heart.”

The Maine Youth Alliance is a 501c3 organization whose purpose is to advocate for and implement initiatives that encourage meaningful youth involvement in the community and improve the well-being of young people according to the eight keys of Positive Youth Development. For more information, and to help support the organization, visit https://thegameloft.org/.