About
The Mayfly Project introduces children in foster care to fly fishing through group outings, 1-on-1 mentorship, and river adventures. Participants also take part in conservation education as they learn and practice fly fishing skills.
The Mayfly Project is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2015 in Arkansas, with the St. Paul, Minnesota Project beginning in 2020. The organization’s stated mission is to support youth in foster care through fly fishing, helping them build confidence, find healing, and connect to their local waters. Across its nationwide projects in the United States and the United Kingdom, The Mayfly Project reports mentoring 2,300 kids and completing 11,500 river outings, with 8 children mentored in St. Paul in 2021 and 10–12 mentors on the St. Paul team. The St. Paul Project’s Lead Mentor is Evan Griggs, and the broader leadership team includes Founder and Executive Director Jess Westbrook, Co-Founder and Program Director Kaitlin Barnhart, Gear Manager Debbie Harrington, and Executive Assistants Joanna Ashley and Emily Skinner. Jess is described as a life-long outdoorsman and avid fly fisherman; Kaitlin has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field with children in foster care and youth with therapeutic needs; Debbie is a retired school counselor; and Emily has many years working in education as a paraprofessional and K–8 teacher and holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Design with a focus on Instructional Design. The Mayfly Project notes that it is committed to supporting foster youth coast to coast and is currently looking for local foster care partners and local company support for the St. Paul project. One foster child described their experience by saying, “This was the funnest day I’ve ever had in my life!” and a 2025 project mentee shared that they would recommend the program to kids who are struggling with self-confidence, motivation, and trust, and that they left feeling confident, happy, and motivated.
Last updated June 28, 2026.
The Mayfly Project is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2015 in Arkansas, with the St. Paul, Minnesota Project beginning in 2020. The organization’s stated mission is to support youth in foster care through fly fishing, helping them build confidence, find healing, and connect to their local waters. Across its nationwide projects in the United States and the United Kingdom, The Mayfly Project reports mentoring 2,300 kids and completing 11,500 river outings, with 8 children mentored in St. Paul in 2021 and 10–12 mentors on the St. Paul team. The St. Paul Project’s Lead Mentor is Evan Griggs, and the broader leadership team includes Founder and Executive Director Jess Westbrook, Co-Founder and Program Director Kaitlin Barnhart, Gear Manager Debbie Harrington, and Executive Assistants Joanna Ashley and Emily Skinner. Jess is described as a life-long outdoorsman and avid fly fisherman; Kaitlin has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field with children in foster care and youth with therapeutic needs; Debbie is a retired school counselor; and Emily has many years working in education as a paraprofessional and K–8 teacher and holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Design with a focus on Instructional Design. The Mayfly Project notes that it is committed to supporting foster youth coast to coast and is currently looking for local foster care partners and local company support for the St. Paul project. One foster child described their experience by saying, “This was the funnest day I’ve ever had in my life!” and a 2025 project mentee shared that they would recommend the program to kids who are struggling with self-confidence, motivation, and trust, and that they left feeling confident, happy, and motivated.
Last updated June 28, 2026.
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