Our Mission
Equipping Maine learners with the confidence and skills to realize their full potential
Our Vision
In the coming years, we will strengthen our organizational foundation to ensure sustainability, expand our financial and human resources, restore community bonds that loosened during the pandemic, and enhance our signature programs to meet the needs of vulnerable learners. As we strive to extend hope and opportunity, we will measure our impact in lives and communities changed for the better.
Our Programs
Our History
More than five decades ago, a coalition of concerned neighbors in Portland’s West End came together to advocate for struggling families. Officially known as Portland West, the group initially focused on affordable housing. As their work continued, the organization began to realize the significance of education as a pathway out of poverty. In 1999, Portland West’s mission was reoriented to the development of education, work-readiness, and behavioral health programs. Ten years later, the organization was officially renamed LearningWorks. In the ensuing decade, we concentrated on developing alternative and supplemental educational programs. In 2024, our board and staff revised our mission and vision, with renewed commitment to “equipping Maine learners with the confidence and skills to realize their full potential.” We pursue our mission through our three signature programs: Afterschool, Service Works, and YouthBuild.