Penquis News
New Documentary Showcases Penquis Substance Affected Youth Program
Updated October 15, 2026
A new documentary highlights how Penquis’ Substance Affected Youth (SAY) Program helps young people and families affected by substance use through school-based support, practical skill-building, trusted relationships, and connections to community resources.
BANGOR, Maine – October 15, 2026 – Penquis C.A.P., Inc. (Penquis) has released a new documentary about its Substance Affected Youth (SAY) Program, which serves young people and families affected by substance use. The film follows the program’s work in schools and communities, including trauma-responsive services, practical skill-building, and connections to trusted adults and other resources.
Produced by Mtn Craft of West Virginia, the film was funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) through the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative (OAYI) and supervised by the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). Penquis was selected because of the SAY Program’s school-based service model and its reach among youth and families.
The SAY Program works with students affected by substance use at home or in their communities. Staff connect parents and caregivers with resources, offer mentoring and peer support, and help young people build healthy ways to understand and manage their emotions and experiences. To date, SAY has delivered 181 presentations on substance misuse awareness and positive mental health to more than 4,800 attendees. The program has also provided individualized services to more than 300 families, life skills training to more than 200 students, resilience training to more than 400 youth, and drop-in recreational opportunities to more than 1,400 young people. Currently, the SAY Program is offered at nine schools in Penobscot County.
“Young people affected by substance use need more than information; they need reliable relationships, practical tools, and places where they feel connected,” says Mike Gray, SAY Program Manager. “This documentary shows what that support looks like in schools and communities and why it matters to the youth we serve.”
Additionally, the program gives young people opportunities to spend time with peers and trusted adults through recreation, crafts, games, and activities shaped by participants. Services vary by community, allowing staff to respond to local needs while maintaining a consistent focus on resilience and positive mental health.
Through interviews and scenes from the program, the documentary shows how SAY staff deliver school-based services, connect families with resources, and help young people develop skills and supportive relationships.
Watch the Documentary
About Penquis
Penquis is a nonprofit organization that works alongside individuals and families throughout Maine as they build greater stability, opportunity, and well-being. Through programs, services, partnerships, and advocacy, Penquis strengthens communities and connects people with resources that support housing stability, school readiness, access to transportation, and healthy lives.