Gateway to Opportunity

What is G2O?

One of MYAN’s flagship programs is the Gateway to Opportunity (G2O) initiative, a paid, team-based learning program designed for youth workers to grow their career readiness skills while connecting Maine businesses and organizations to the local emerging workforce.

High-quality Career Readiness Opportunities.

How it works

Positive youth development best practices are at the heart of G2O: this initiative provides 21st century job skills and prepares youth for the future workplace. Local employers partners with a near-peer team leader who mentors a team of local youth workers. MYAN provides project management and support including: recruiting, hiring, technical assistance, and payroll for youth workers and host-site employers.

Always Evolving.

G2O Alumni Advisory Board expands the Gateway to Opportunity youth employment model through a collaborative youth-adult partnership approach program sustainability and visioning. Since the program’s launch in 2016, the model has been improved, expanded, and deepened with thoughtful and reflective feedback from the program’s core partners: youth workers, young adult leaders, and host site employers. Their insights have shaped program growth and improvements that have been invaluable to the program’s success.

Current Opportunities

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Our Goals

expanding paid career opportunities for youth and young adults in their local communities

employers strengthening connections with youth and young adults through meaningful work experiences

lowering barriers to youth employment throughout the state of Maine

2025 Host Sites

  • Portland Media Center

    Portland, Maine

    Youth workers at Portland Media Center received hands-on filmmaking training! This group identified and interviewed community leaders, artists, elected officials, and young entrepreneurs to learn how they engage in their communities and how youth in Maine can do the same. Their news show, The New Youth Times, is live on their Youtube channel with more episodes to come!

  • Bowsprit Foundation

    Unity, Maine

    Youth workers headed up multiple projects with the Bowsprit Foundation including a large tent construction that will serve as a community space and supporting the restoration of a barn and other farm areas. This team also learned about crop and animal care!

  • Gather to Grow

    Lewiston, Maine

    Youth workers at Gather to Grow took part in hands-on, community-centered projects. They supported the on-site food pantry, prepared and served community meals, and cared for community gardens in Lewiston, Maine. Their work supported many levels of the local food system from tending and harvesting, to cooking and composting, to sharing fresh food with community members.

  • Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine

    Portland, Maine

    Youth workers at the Boys and Club helped support the Brain Gain summer program, working with young club members to provide a fun learning environment!

  • MCD Global

    Belfast, Maine

    Youth workers collaboratively developed a program focused on helping young people explore and pursue careers in mental and behavioral health. This project increased awareness about the variety of jobs available in these fields, ranging from peer support and crisis response to counseling, outreach, prevention, systems-level advocacy, and youth-focused services.