About Us

Swathi’s background as a middle school science teacher has been the foundation of her deep commitment to supporting public-serving systems in creating genuine belonging and empowerment for all young people. Swathi supports young people in growing their leadership and advocacy skills and in building partnerships with adult allies to create pathways for young people to directly inform the systems meant to serve them. Currently, Swathi works as the Program Manager for the Young People’s Caucus (YPC) and dee Clarke Justice Fellowship (dCJF) initiatives and leads community engagement for other initiatives at the Institute. She also collaborates with partners to design curriculum and programs statewide. Outside of work, Swathi loves to hike, tell and hear stories, lounge with her cats, and sing.

Olivia is deeply passionate about systems change and ensuring policies and programs consider root causes and complexities of life. She is inspired by using systems thinking to ground her professional work and better navigate life’s offerings. Olivia holds an MSW and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis from the University of Southern Maine (USM), where she worked as a Graduate Assistant for the Place Justice Project, the Data Innovation Project, and Place Matters. In her current role, Olivia is the program coordinator for the dee Clarke Justice Fellowship and the Young People’s Caucus (YPC). She supports operations and curriculum development and serves as a co-facilitator for both programs. Olivia also manages the YPC Social Media Advocacy Team where she works to empower young people to learn about systems change and engage in their communities.  

Andre is a social entrepreneur, mentor, and national performance artist who is a vital community support for many youth in Maine through his nonprofit, Breaking Bread and his company, Rhyme & Reason. Dray is a Deering High School alumnus, lives in Portland with his family, and was the longstanding manager of Toni’s Touch, a cornerstone barbershop in the Greater Portland community. Building upon his lived experience in the criminal legal system as a youth and adult, he has a long history of community engagement. Dray co-facilitates the YPC Justice Network and leads youth engagement for YPC. He also works as a mentor to young people and adults with the Opportunity Scholars project and as a coordinator with the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition. He is committed to helping to create opportunities for youth to aspire to greatness and thrive. He uses the tools of writing, conversation, and performance art to facilitate justice as healing and liberation, and also mentors youth in financial literacy and well-being. He is a dedicated mentor for young people inside Maine’s only youth prison, connecting them to employment, housing, and reentry support opportunities.

Sarah is a Project Assistant at the Catherine Cutler Institute where she provides administrative, financial, and project support to the Youth and Community Engagement and Justice Policy Program teams. Sarah has worked in many spaces in the public sector, including multiple years teaching ELL/ESL students in the K-12 school system. She enjoys collaborating with young people from a diverse array of backgrounds and cultures, who continue to inspire and to challenge her, and who constantly promote change and compassion all around them. Sarah provides operations, events, and financial support for YPC.

Ashanti grew up in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica and is studying criminal justice with hopes of practicing immigration law. Ashanti is passionate about this work because she’s grown up with systems-impacted youth, and wants to be part of the decision-making conversation so we can better provide and equip the youth with what they need to flourish, rather than becoming just another statistic. Ashanti is currently working as the Lead Producer of the YPC Instagram page, where she does research and content creation.

Madison graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology. Madison works as a Research Analyst II with the Catherine Cutler Institute at USM, where she works on a variety of research, evaluation, data analysis, and community engagement projects with the Place Matters, Data Innovation Project, and Justice Policy teams. She also supports the Young People’s Caucus (YPC) as an evaluator, researcher, and mentor where she supports youth in engaging in systems change opportunities. Madison is passionate about bringing positive, tangible change to youth and families across Maine through advocacy, early intervention, and education. When not working, Madison enjoys exploring nature, foraging, writing, arts and crafts, and cuddling with her pets. 

Jillian is a Policy Associate II and the Place Matters Project Director at the USM Catherine Cutler Institute where she leads initiatives focused on research, evaluation, and community engagement related to social policy and social justice, behavioral health, and youth and families who have been impacted by Maine’s criminal legal system. Jillian has worked in a variety of youth-focused roles in the past, including in international education, elementary and preschool education, and community service. She is committed to empowering youth and young adults to engage in their communities and learn skills for changemaking. Jillian supports the YPC team with planning and sustainability, and community building, alongside our adult partners and funders.

YPC is based at the Place Matters project at the University of Southern Maine’s Catherine Cutler Institute and is a partnership between the Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC), the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG), the Youth and Community Engagement (YCE) team, Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN), and our community and legislative partners.