Press Releases and News

» Staffers Donna and Teyonda were interviewed on WGAN Radio's Maine Points about the Community-Based Youth Services Department. Listen to the interview.

» Portland Public Schools, Jobs for Maine's Graduates, and LearningWorks have been awarded $5.1 million from the Nellie Mae Foundation to transform the high schools in Portland. Watch the video of the press conference or the Channel 6 coverage, or read the articles in the Portland Press Herald or The Forecaster.

» LearningWorks and Portland city police teamed up to play a halftime game at the Red Claws December 4 game. Check out the Portland Press Herald video about a pre-game practice sesssion.

» LearningWorks Board Chair Will Kilbreth published an editorial in the Portland Press Herald highlighting the challenge of counting - and helping - homeless and not-quite homeless youth. Read the editorial here.

» YBA's Jobs for Maine's Graduate's class partnered with the Casco Bay Sunshine Rotary Club of Portland to paint a huge US map on the playground at Riverton Elementary School. See the pictures in the Forecaster here.

» Youth Building Alternatives students built a garden shed for Portland's Brentwood Farms Community Garden. Check out the Forecaster photo here

» Governor LePage told his personal story of breaking out of generational poverty to a full auditorium at LearningWorks' third Community Conversations forum on July 6, 2011. Watch the full event on CTN 5's website, watch the Channel 6 story or read the Portland Press Herald article.

'» 'The Leader' Spring-Summer 2011 Edition: Newsletter from LearningWorks

» On June 27, 2011, Youth Building Alternatives graduated it's largest class ever. Read the story in the Portland Press Herald or watch the coverage on Channel 6.

» LearningWorks Student Cielle Pomerleau wins Maine State Chamber of Commerce Essay Contest and $1,500 Scholarship, April 2011

» LearningWorks' Graffiti Busters removes graffiti in the city of Portland from April to October. Watch segments about Graffiti Busters first week on Channel 6 andChannel 13; and see the pictures in the Portland Press Herald.

» In April 2011, LearningWorks opened a new center in Biddeford offering juvenile justice and mental health services. Read the article in the Journal Tribune here.

» LearningWorks Celebrates Mentors During Mentoring Month, January 2011

» In January 2011, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation awarded a $200,000 planning grant to the Portland Public Schools and two partner organizations, Jobs for Maine's Graduates and LearningWorks, for a project aimed at improving the city’s high schools by adding more “student centered learning opportunities.” Read the press release.

» LearningWorks 2010 Annual Report

» 'the Leader' Fall 2010 Edition: Newsletter from LearningWorks

» LearningWorks Youth Building Alternatives Students Build Boardwalk for Skillin School in South Portland

» Youth Building Alternative students served Thanksgiving lunch for the students in LearningWorks' English Language Program. Watch the excellent coverage on Channel 6 here.

» Our October 25, 2010 Community Conversation on the role of education in ending generational poverty was preceded by a powerful video of LearningWorks' students telling their stories of growing up in poverty. One event attendee was impressed enough to recommend that every teacher in the state see the video. Watch it here.

» In September 2010, Youth Building Alternatives held their graduation ceremony at the Portland Public Library. Watch the coverage on Channel 6 here.

» LearningWorks awarded $50,000 to create Kennebec County Green Jobs Training Corps

» LearningWorks partners with Portland Public Schools on $11 million grant to transform how education is delivered at Portland High School. Read grant narrative. here.

» The Civic Projects Visits LearningWorks. 50 Nonprofits in 50 States in 50 Days

» Burnham Charitable Trust Supports Family Literacy

» Literacy Volunteers-Greater Portland merges with LearningWorks

» LearningWorks collects games, food & blankets to create Game Night Bags for the holidays

» A conversation between Jeanne Whynot-Vickers, LearningWorks' Director of Educational Excellence & former interim superintendent of Portland Public Schools and Jim Morse, Superintendent of Portland Public Schools

» 'the Leader' Fall 2009 Edition: Newsletter from LearningWorks

» LearningWorks Partners with Walmart to Give Free School Supplies, Recruit Students for LearningWorks Afterschool

» Walmart Delivers $10,000 to LearningWorks English Language Program

» Congresswoman Chellie Pingree to visit LearningWorks Weatherization Project Site.

» At-Risk Youth Ready to Enter the "Green" Marketplace

» Joel Russ, former CEO of the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce, Susannah Kerest, formerly of Demont & Associates, join LearningWorks

» Jeanne Whynot-Vickers, former interim superintendent of Portland Public Schools, joins LearningWorks as Director of Educational Excellence

» 22 New Jobs Created. LearningWorks Weatherization Corps Begins.

» LearningWorks Awarded $88,000 in Stimulus Money to Create 22 Jobs Weatherizing Maine Homes

» Long-time Social Service Agency Portland West Becomes LearningWorks

» Back to General info

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.