The Game Loft, Belfast 's downtown youth center, is pleased to announce that on July 1, 2009 it merged with Spurwink Services of Portland, Maine. The Game Loft was established in 1998 to provide youth development services to young people through the use of non-electronic games. Throughout its eleven year history as an independent youth center it has provided award-winning services to the community's youth. In 2000 Ray and Patricia Estabrook won the prestigious Jefferson Award for their work in founding The Game Loft. In 2008 The Game Loft won the Exemplary After-School Program of the Year from the Maine After-School Alliance. In 2009 James Knight won the Governor's Youth Volunteer of the Year Award from the Maine Commission for Community Service. These awards demonstrate the consistently high quality of the programming at The Game Loft. The Game Loft is pleased to be able to continue its work in the community and to increase its quality of services.

“The Game Loft has always offered exciting educational and social enrichment programs for young people in the community,” said Ray Estabrook, program co-director. “Now as part of Spurwink Services we will be able to do more creative programs and reach more kids.”

Spurwink Services is a nationally accredited non-profit organization providing behavioral health, education, and residential services for children, adolescents, adults, and families. With a commitment to quality services, and the recruitment of caring, compassionate professionals, Spurwink has gained a reputation for excellence in evidence-based treatment and service delivery throughout New England , Canada , and beyond.

As a program of Spurwink Services, The Game Loft will continue to involve youth and families to promote personal growth and education, give opportunities for creativity, help build strong relationships that emphasize each person's strengths and competencies, and prepares youth for the future.

A word from the Board of Directors:

The Board of Directors of New Strategies for Youth sought for over two years for an affiliation that would insure the long-term sustainability of The Game Loft program. The merger with Spurwink satisfies that goal and our Board adopted a resolution that formerly dissolved New Strategies for Youth and delivered the assets, including our existing contracts, to Spurwink Services. This was a decision that the Board worked on for over six months and we feel that this move will make sure that The Game Loft continues to serve area youth for years to come as well as expand our services in new directions. The Loft will continue to serve as a local community based organization with the support of our large community of friends and donors but now has the additional support of one of the premier social service agencies in Maine . Thank you for your continued support of The Game Loft.

A personal note from the Directors: At the official signing ceremony that merged The Game Loft with Spurwink Ray had this to say, “Yesterday Charles asked how I felt about the sale of The Game Loft and after some consideration I replied that we felt like captains of a pirate ship after a eleven and a half year cruise on the high seas. The voyage was launched on a wish and a throw of the dice; there was never any guarantee we would make it back or keep the ship afloat. And there were many close calls, as many of you know. I feel that we have made it to a safe port; we barely slipped into the harbor, shot full of holes, one mast still standing, listing hard to starboard. But we made it. We’re home. We’re not pirates anymore. But it feels good. So, drop anchor mates.”

And Patricia says, “I ended with a broken fiddle, a broken laugh, a thousand memories and not a single regret.”

Of course she hasn’t ended. Ray and Patricia continue as co-directors, Max Delaney as Senior Program Coordinator, Barry Ferro as Host, Jessica Kunkel as VISTA volunteer, acting as office manager and executive coordinator. The Loft is also benefiting by the work of Americorps volunteer Ellen Marlow and summer youth employment program employees, Kali Rocheleau , Reva Soto, Alex Knight and Emily LaRosa.

The Game Loft will remain in its location at 78A Main Street . For more information about The Game Loft or the merger please call 207-338-6447 and ask for Silas Walsh, Patricia or Ray Estabrook or Jessica Kunkel