BELFAST — An air of excitement permeated the air at the entrance of Belfast's Edward J. Reynolds house, as the very first graduates of STRIVE Northern New England's program prepared to celebrate their accomplishment.

The graduates, residents of Belfast's Reentry Center, were trained using the STRIVE method. The program focuses on "growing a responsible and enthusiastic workforce," which often leads to reduced prison recidivism and the ability for people to transition away from government support, according to STRIVE NNE.

The program is described by STRIVE NNE Executive Director Dan Domench as having four main points.

The first is to help participants "Stand and Deliver," which refers not only to the practice of having members state their name and what they want, but also to the aspects of personal presentation skills. These include things like shaking hands and maintaining eye contact while interacting.

Domench said the second focus of the program is "Acorn Skills," which deals with helping participants envision their goals, and what needs to be done for the participants to reach those goals.

The third focus of the program is "Summary Qualifications," which includes resume building skills. Graduates of the program can also update their resumes at any time at any of the nationwide STRIVE offices, Domench said.

Over the course of the program, not only have the new graduates increased their focus on living more fulfilling lives, but they will also become mentors themselves to struggling members of the community going forward, which Domench gave as the fourth and final portion of the program.

"Strive is a movement, it's about changing the culture," said Domench as he addressed the room. He offered two words to sum up the focus of the STRIVE program to the crowd, "gratitude and honor."

Domench also discussed the collaborative nature of STRIVE, which includes working with Volunteers of America Northern New England, which offered their facility for the graduation event, among other contributions. He also noted the involvement of the Waldo County Sheriff's Office and Waldo County Corrections in the program, at one point presenting Sheriff Jeffrey Trafton with an award.

Jerome Weiner, director of the Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center in Belfast, offered high praise before presenting Trafton with the award, noting, “I’ve worked in many [areas] and I’ve never met a sheriff [who was] more forward thinking,” he said. 

Trafton had his own praise and kind words for the graduates sitting before him, telling them, “I mean this from the bottom of my heart, success and happiness are waiting out there - go and get it.”

Trafton was far from the only supporter of the STRIVE program to be honored at the event, with awards going to a variety of community members.

David Noble, one award recipient, told the crowd he was, "So impressed with the quality of graduates from STRIVE."

When it was time for the graduates to speak, each one stood to address the room in turn. One graduate, who was remembered by staff as being initially extremely skeptical of the program initially, was invited to the microphone to say a few words.

"I said, I'll never wear a suit, I'll never wear a tie," he said, wearing both. "If it weren't for Dan [Domench] and Roland [Pease's] kind words, I wouldn't be here."

Sentiments of pride and gratitude for the STRIVE program and those who came to see and congratulate them were shared time and again by graduates of the program. Post-graduation, the movement will continue, as the foundation for the next STRIVE class has been laid, with the addition of 10 new mentors. 

Related:

• Shining Path terrorists, thieving human smugglers didn't stop this Peruvian from realizing dreams

• Strive Northern New England launches work preparation training at Reentry Center

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com