Changemaker Chronicles: The Mayhew Program

Interview with Peter Saliba, Executive Director & Laura Brusseau, Engagement Management

The Mayhew Program

Executive Director Peter Saliba sums up what The Mayhew Program is all about. “What we do is believe in boys before they believe in themselves”, he says. Mayhew is the only all-boys program in New Hampshire that combines a residential summer program with school-year mentoring. Their campers are considered “at-risk” and are referred to the program by school guidance counselors and the boys attend tuition-free. Only 10% of Mayhew campers live with both parents, most live with their single mother and the remainder live in non-traditional family units.

To experience the spirit of this outstanding and life changing program, please view this short video.

Saliba explains it’s an 8-year program that follows the boys from 10-11 years old right through high school graduation. The youngest boys (age 10-12) spend three weeks on the 35-acre Mayhew Island in Newfound Lake. Those two years are called The Island Challenge when the boys work together in small tight-knit groups, tackling steep physical, social and emotional challenges. For many of the boys, Mayhew is their first opportunity to find out who they can be and how much they can do in a setting away from outside influences. 

Beginning in the third year, boys can participate in a five-day, adventure-based summer program.  Trips include canoeing, backpacking, biking, and nature and wilderness skills training.  Boys who are 14 or older may apply to work for Mayhew, earning a salary and a dollar-for-dollar matching scholarship for post-secondary educational pursuits.

In the final two years of the program, Mayhew focuses on supporting the boys through high school graduation, assisting them in establishing goals for their lives beyond high school, brainstorming ways to overcome barriers to success, and emphasizing the importance of giving back to Mayhew and the broader community. Saliba feels this part of the program distinguishes Mayhew from other programs. When young men enter the world, they” will exercise their own decision-making and this is when some kids get lost”. He believes Mayhew prepares them to meet those challenges.

On the island, the boys don’t have access to their cellphones which is a big change for them. Engagement Director Laura Brusseau explains when electronic devices are removed, the campers develop a new set of skills, improving socialization as they are forced to interact with world around them. “It results in more creativity as the boys have to figure things out and they learn to rely on themselves”, she says. “It’s time to just be a kid”.

During the community year portion of the program, Mayhew has seven outreach workers living throughout the state who check in with each boy at least once a month. During the in-person visits, the Mayhew staff assess if the boy’s basic needs are being met. The secondary level reinforces the values introduced at camp: challenge, community, respect, and responsibility. The mentors provide emotional support and practical assistance such as helping to fill out a summer job application or finding ways to qualify for funding for driver’s ed.

Saliba believes Mayhew could be “the poster child for the Greater lakes Region eChildren’s Auction”. He points out their missions of serving kids are completely aligned. Saliba and Brusseau are grateful for the Children’s Auction’s financial support for the past eight years, but they also appreciate the partnership they feel with the Auction. Saliba says he has enjoyed brainstorming sessions with Auction Executive Director Jenn Kelly and is grateful for the culture the Children’s Auction creates for kids.

Saliba and Brusseau invite donors to see their donations in action by visiting Mayhew Island. It’s an opportunity to learn about the program, go on a guided tour of the island to see the camp experience first-hand, and share a meal with the boys. It’s the perfect chance to be Mayhew for the day. 

They also invite all golfers to join them at their annual fundraising golf tournament at Montcalm Golf Club in Enfield on June 2nd to help Mayhew give boys “a good start on the future”.

Article written by Beth Osgood Dodge. If you are a Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction funded nonprofit contact Beth at beth03253@gmail.com to arrange an interview and let us spread awareness for your mission!