Avery Friend

Providing administrative and programmatic support for the Center director, staff, students, and faculty working with volunteer programs and community-engaged teaching, her responsibilities include management of the departmental budget and finances, event coordination, departmental and programmatic marketing, oversight of departmental web pages, record keeping, development of office publications, and general public relations.

Avery grew up in the New Orleans area, where she studied Creative Writing and spent several years working in local high schools. After moving to Maine in 2017 she worked as Volunteer Coordinator for Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services in Portland, managing volunteer engagement for the department’s food pantry, diaper bank, and other social service offerings.

Outside of her professional life she's been heavily involved with a range of organizations dedicated to supporting and uplifting the queer community, individuals and families seeking asylum in Maine, and access to early childhood and college education. Outside of work Avery can be found watching her favorite Sci-Fi series, reading and writing poetry, traveling with her friends and family, spoiling her cat, spending time outdoors during the summer, and looking forward to summer during the winter.