Kyle Poissonnier founded Catalyst for Change in 2009 as part of a class during his senior year at Husson University. Initially, all he set out to do was make and sell clothes, but a few years in, his life changed.

Around 2013, Poissonnier found himself in a frightening mental state after several loved ones died: a close friend, a parent, a father figure, his grandfather. Poissonnier began to experience suicidal ideation. He soon decided that what he was feeling was not only something that had to be talked about, but also something he had to avidly fight against in whatever way he knew how. For him, that was clothing.

So the Catalyst for Change clothing company began with the “Suicide Awareness and Prevention Hoodie,” with the proceeds from sales of the sweatshirt going to a Maine suicide prevention program.

“At the time, we were just putting designs on shirts,” Poissonnier said.

Now, several years later, Catalyst for Change is celebrating the opening of its new physical location in Kennebunk.

While Poissonnier says he is still amazed by the wide reach that his brand has had via its online store, his team felt like something had been missing since closing the company’s previous in-person storefront in Biddeford last year.

So when the chance to open a store at the Shops at Morning Walk in Kennebunk arrived — with CFC’s own little cottage — it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“To be honest, I actually didn’t know if people would be excited about a physical store again, but we’ve just been blown away by how excited people were and how quickly we were able to get it together,” Poissonnier said.

The store, located at cottage number four at 2 Morning Walk Lane, hosted a grand opening ceremony on the weekend of Nov. 22. Poissonnier described that as more of a soft opening before the store fully opens Friday.

Portions of every item sold by CFC — which offers a variety of clothing, including shirts and hats — goes to Maine charities that support causes ranging from suicide prevention to breast cancer awareness.

Over the years, Poissonnier was often asked why he wanted to associate suicidal thoughts with clothing, with some people suggesting it might drive customers away. In reality, it did the opposite.

“This is 12 years ago now, almost 13, and the world wasn’t as open about talking about these things,” Poissonnier said. “But regardless, we launched that hoodie, and that was the first time something had gone viral for us. The cool part was the majority of the people who bought it left us notes or wrote emails, shared a story, opened a dialog and conversation. It made me feel like I wasn’t so alone.”

He wasn’t then, and he still isn’t now.

Poissonnier stressed that people need to lend a hand and listen to one another now more than ever. In his work, he visits schools around the state of Maine, giving talks to students and discussing these hard topics. He says that work reminds him how crucial it is to be open about mental health struggles with younger generations.

“I hear it from teachers. I hear it from peers that have kids,” he said. “It’s harder than ever now for kids to feel good about themselves growing up.”

Despite those difficult conversations, Poissonnier said his work related to mental health has also given him hope. He’s met Mainers all over who tell him his work led them to get help or brought them out of dark places.

Once the Kennebunk store opens on Black Friday, it will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Tuesdays, continuing the effort of spreading awareness and reminding people that they are not alone.

“We’re trying everything we can to just make people feel not so alone,” Poissonnier said.

RESOURCES:

Where to get help if you or anyone you know is battling depression or has had suicidal thoughts:

Maine Crisis Hotline: Dial 988

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988


Other Maine resources: Dial 211

If your life or someone else’s life is in immediate danger: Dial 911