Foster receives Bridge Builder’s Award
By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Jack Foster of Caribou was recently presented with the Bridge Builder’s Award, initiated in 2009 by the Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (ASAP) as a way to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to preventing substance abuse in Aroostook County.
Jack Foster, 
who has worked as a prevention specialist at Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. since 1986, was involved with the creation of the Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp program in 1987, and has served as its program coordinator the past 25 years.
At ATLC, Foster’s focus is to empower youth by giving them responsibilities while providing guidance and support. The group meets throughout the year with the young people acting as facilitators and conducting business. They put the schedule of events for the summer camp together and work to organize fundraisers.
“Jack is the silent impetus for everything they do,” said Kathy Mazzuchelli, “truly a shining star in ‘raising adults’ by instilling self-esteem, confidence and leadership skills in all the youth he works with.”
Mike Smith, director of the Healthy Hometowns Program for Maine Winter Sports stated, “First off, Jack’s ATLC program was an incredibly important part of my life as a young person and I can directly relate much of what I do now back to the connections and experiences I had through my involvement there.”
“Secondly,” said Smith, “when I think about Jack what comes to mind is the guy is always behind the scenes not wanting to take recognition for anything. Even as recently as last week I attended the ATLC benefit dinner in Presque Isle and there was Jack, hustling around the room the whole evening, taking tickets, mopping up spilled drinks, working in the kitchen and meanwhile the show was going on with the young people leading the way. I was reminded of all those days at leadership camp with Jack doing the exact same thing. While we kids stood in the front running the show, he was always giving the gentle nudge from the back.”
“Jack is a very kind and humble man,” Smith added, “and even more impressive — he is totally dedicated to the young people of northern Maine. I owe him a debt of gratitude.”
In order to be nominated for the Bridge Builder Award, individuals must meet specific criteria including; being a active member or partner of ASAP; displaying leadership qualities by demonstrating they are a driving force in work around substance abuse prevent and must have demonstrated outstanding performance at the community or regional level through the development or initiation of substance abuse prevention programs.
Foster received the award during the Oct. 2 Move It and Groove It dance contest, an ASAP fundraiser held at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.
Foster resides in Caribou, has one son and in his free time he enjoys reading, bowling and cooking.
Previous recipients of the Bridge Builder Award include Kathy Mazzuchelli, Becky Miller, Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan and Kerry Voisine.
