In 2017, Dalton was a laid-back seventh grader from Bath who felt uncertain about his future. While math and science were always his favorite subjects, he never imagined them shaping his future. Fast-forward to today: Dalton is a rising sophomore at University of Maine, majoring in biomedical engineering with a focus on rural medicine and sustainable medical material development. What inspired this transformation? The Aspirations Incubator.

Six years ago, with an initial $8 million investment, the Rural Futures Fund launched the Aspirations Incubator, an ambitious pilot initiative designed to propel rural Maine youth toward college and fulfilling careers. The program begins when participants are in seventh grade and works with them through their high school graduation. It creates a safe environment where students are connected to their community through mentorship and exposure to new experiences. With five programs active across the state, Dalton’s story is just one of many Aspirations Incubator successes.

A recent analysis of the program from the University of Southern Maine found that Aspiration Incubator participants felt nearly twice as connected to their communities; the students outperformed their peers in core academic subjects; school attendance rates were higher among Aspirations Incubator participants when compared to their peers; and 83% of the 2023 and 2024 Aspirations Incubator graduating seniors planned to attend two- or four-year college, well above the 2022 state average of 52% for college enrollment.

Results like these are driven by the Aspirations Incubator igniting a spark in the hearts of its participants through the relationship they build with mentors and program staff. This unwavering support and guidance are the program’s most potent weapon, a human spark that ignites a fire within the young people’s hearts and minds.

Through the Waypoint program, Dalton met his mentor, Larry, a retired engineer, who encouraged Dalton’s fascination with how things are made. Larry became a window to the world of possibilities that Dalton never knew existed outside of his coastal town. Dalton and Larry met frequently throughout the six-year program and discussed his day-to-day life and his career aspirations. The mentorship was a safe space for Dalton to stay curious and find a sense of belonging in a meaningful way.

This transformative power isn’t a one-time occurrence. Across five pilot sites throughout the six-year initiative, Aspirations Incubator programs recruited, trained and boarded more than 270 caring adults and peer mentors just like Larry. These community anchors weave a safety net of support, surrounding each student on their unique journey through adolescence. They celebrate triumphs, provide support during setbacks and, most importantly, believe in the limitless potential of each participant.

The Aspirations Incubator pilot program has proven to be a game-changer for rural Maine youth, prompting the Rural Futures Fund to envision the creation of the Rural Youth Institute.

This new organization aims to expand the Aspirations Incubator model into new communities. As a comprehensive resource, the Rural Youth Institute will support existing Aspirations Incubator sites, fund innovative research, deliver essential youth development training and advocate for rural youth in Maine and beyond. By increasing resources and expanding capabilities, we can create a future where every rural Maine student can receive the resources and support they deserve to succeed and thrive on their path to adulthood.

It was never about checking the box. It was about nurturing seeds, students like Dalton, and giving them the opportunity to blossom. When a community of people come together to help these remarkable young Mainers’ dreams take flight, the results are boundless.