Brighter Days Story: Lillian from LearningWorks Afterschool

Brighter DaysHomepage StoriesLearningWorks AfterSchoolLW Events
January 01, 1970

When the pandemic hit, a lot changed for 7 year old Lillian and her family. School, which she loved more than anything, all of the sudden meant learning on a screen at home. It also meant that her mom, a single parent, would be away at work each day, while Lillian and her older sister […]

Billie + Dave Kull

50 StoriesEnglish Language + LiteracyHomepage StoriesVolunteer
January 01, 1970

Billie and Dave Kull are a retired couple who are in their second year of teaching in the English Language + Literacy Program (EL+LP) at LearningWorks.  When they moved to Portland from Arizona a few years ago, they began looking for volunteer opportunities. They had a long history of collaborating on projects, so they wanted to do something together and were interested in serving their community utilizing their areas of expertise.  They found LearningWorks.

PJ Sanguedolce

50 StoriesHomepage StoriesService Works
September 14, 2017

Since participating in our Service Works program, PJ’s days in the corrections system are behind him. He remains connected to his community, is currently working, and hopes to start a new job in construction.

Karla Salamanca

50 StoriesAIMS HIGH AmeriCorpsHomepage StoriesStaff
September 20, 2017

When Karla Salamanca graduated from Portland High School in 2016, she knew she wanted to attend college, but she decided to take a gap year to learn more about herself. She became an AmeriCorps member and joined the LearningWorks team.

Susan Abt

50 StoriesHomepage StoriesLW Supporter
September 01, 2017

Susan Abt is one of the many individual donors who make our free services for the community possible. “It imbues me with a feeling of relief to know that there is support available for young people who may not have succeeded in the education system or who have had run-ins with the law,” she says.

Joe Dubail

50 StoriesHomepage StoriesLearningWorks YouthBuild
September 15, 2017

Joe Dubail, a current student in our Youth Building Alternatives program, is making the most of opportunities that eluded him in high school. “I stopped going to school when I was a senior. I was not motivated because I was having a difficult time in class, and I didn’t have goals for my future.” 

Grace Wiley

50 StoriesHomepage StoriesLearningWorks YouthBuild
September 10, 2017

“If not for YBA, I would probably be at home doing nothing with my life,” says Grace Wiley, a current student in LearningWorks’ Youth Building Alternatives Program. A talented artist, Grace has a painting in exhibit at Regional High School Art Show at Casco Bay Artisans Fine Art Gallery in Portland.

Othniel Emelo

50 StoriesEnglish Language + LiteracyHomepage Stories
September 07, 2017

Othniel became a student in our English Language & Literacy Program in September 2016, shortly after arriving in Portland from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  His uncle told him that there was a place nearby where he could learn English for free, and since then, Othniel has dedicated himself to becoming proficient in speaking and comprehending English.

Liz Leddy

50 StoriesHomepage StoriesLearningWorks YouthBuild
September 09, 2017

Liz Leddy’s resume is impressive. She’s a two time national Golden Gloves Champion; owner of her own hair styling business, and a personal trainer. Back in the mid-1990s, this kind of success and stability was something that seemed far beyond Liz’s reach.  After dropping out of high school, Liz found herself homeless. She struggled with […]