Let’s start with the bad news: Maine does not have great education statistics, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly a quarter of young children live in a childcare desert. Over a third of students are considered economically disadvantaged. Chronic absenteeism is up, along with reported depression and anxiety. The number of high schoolers enrolling in college is dropping.

But now for very, very good news: as we all recover from the turmoil of COVID, there are resilient, experienced organizations in Maine that know how to support young people empowering themselves through education, no matter what route they take. One of those is LearningWorks, a nearly 60-year-old nonprofit that will soon expand into a new location.

“There are students that need educational alternatives to acquire the skills and confidence to succeed in school and life beyond,” said Thomas McLaughlin, Executive Director of LearningWorks. They are planning to be in their new location at 190 Riverside Street by June. The location just off the Maine Turnpike will help them expand the number of young people they serve and be more accessible to a wider region.

“The needs far exceed our current capacity. Our new space will allow us to live our mission more fully,” said McLaughlin. “We are embracing this chance to create refreshed learning and workspaces that are well-equipped for our students and staff. We are also finding ways to elevate our instructional strategies to better serve a diverse array of students”

The roots of LearningWorks were put down in the 1960s, starting as a coalition of West End neighbors organizing to maintain affordable housing. Years of work made members recognize education as the best pathway out of poverty, and eventually they re-oriented the mission to focus on academic empowerment. They collaborate with local schools and other mission aligned nonprofits on four main programs that reach over 1,000 students of all ages and backgrounds every year.

One of the longest running programs is YouthBuild for young adults between ages 16 and 24 who have struggled to find their way in the traditional education system. Participants can earn a high school equivalent degree, receive construction and culinary training and certification, leadership development, work readiness instruction, case management and develop life skills. About 40 young people participate each year, and this season, some of them are helping with construction at the new location.

Elementary students can participate in LearningWorks AfterSchool, an enriching, safe and supportive post-school day and summer program for children who are performing below grade level academically and may not have the resources to access a paid program. About 1,000 students are enrolled in the program each year.

For adults, LearningWorks offers a small English Language & Literacy Program that provides new Mainers free one-on-one tutoring and life skills support.

And then there’s Service Works, a positive alternative for young people involved in school discipline or the juvenile court system. Each year 100 or so Service Works participants write and reflect on their experiences, set goals for the future and take positive social action through volunteering at a food pantry, assisting families or individuals in need, or community beautification.

While each of these unique programs focus on boosting academic skills, McLaughlin said that for him, seeing students grow confident in their capacity to improve their own lives and contribute to the community is perhaps more important. “The brightest moments are when students ‘swell’ with pride about a significant achievement,” he said. “Like when a YouthBuild student bounds down the hallway and into my office to share that they passed one of the HiSet tests or secured a new job.”

Investing in the health, happiness and education of young people is proven to create healthier, happier and empowered adults. Donate and learn more about volunteer opportunities at learningworks.me/donate.

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