Who We AreLearningWorks is a dynamic community-based organization. We started in 1967 as a grassroots neighborhood advocacy movement to protect the working people of the west end and never stopped moving forward with the community. Today LearningWorks is a social service agency that serves people all over Androscoggin, York, and Cumberland counties. We serve young children, at-risk youth, and low-income families.
Portland West is now LearningWorksA note from Chief Executive Officer, Ethan StrimlingWe were founded in 1967 as a neighborhood activist organization dedicated to protecting the west end from gentrification. Then in the 1980's we began to evolve into an organization that didn't just advocate, but started putting anti-poverty programs in place. Today, however, we are a full blown service agency providing the best learning opportunities across southern Maine for at-risk youth, the immigrant community, and low-income families. To that end, it became clear that a new name was needed. A name that would describe what we do, our philosophy, and would not limit people's geographic thinking of who we serve. That is why we decided to change our name to LearningWorks. Because, learning does work when you provide the works of learning to those in need.
We provide the best learning opportunities in Maine for at-risk youth, the immigrant community, and low income families. |
We provide the best learning opportunities in Maine for at-risk youth, the immigrant community, and low income families. We have pride in our customers and do everything possible to instill pride in the programs and the people we serve. We establish individual relationships with our customers and treat every interaction as an opportunity to build trust and develop life skills. We create individualized learning plans which meet people where they are, present all that is possible, and assist them in where they want to go. We recognize the potential in everyone while teaching that everyone must take responsibility for their own learning. We totally commit ourselves to the learning process regardless of our customer's circumstances or behavior. We understand that community integration is integral to the success of every individual we serve. |
We started with affordable housing, then added community development programs, and finally built in educational services for at-risk youth and low income families who lived in the west end. All the while we continued our advocacy and activism.