May 2026

Dear Friends & Supporters,

The long wait for spring in Maine demands significant patience. Slow as it is, we marvel at the signs of new life as they gradually emerge – early daffodils, greening lawns, flowering shrubs, and finally budding trees. The progress of our LW participants can often be similarly slow. But, their impressive “budding” occurs through the patient and encouraging support of our dedicated staff. Our classrooms are vibrant landscapes in which new skills, interests, and confidence emerge. Time and again, we celebrate how our students share and apply these in other dimensions of their lives. We are honored to tend these gardens and nurture the children and youth who we serve. We hope you enjoy this quick look into what is transpiring in our programs. As always, we are grateful for your support of our efforts and their impact on our local communities.

Peace,

Thomas McLaughlin – Executive Director

After School

Biddeford students are learning about hiking safety.  They are also exploring plant species and completing plant artwork. Kindergarten students visited the McArthur Library for fun-filled literacy activities. All students are looking forward to an end of year field day and our award ceremony.

Portland students will become “weather chefs” and investigate how different types of weather impact our food supply. We will also explore coding through various activities, like making binary code bracelets. Over the last several weeks, we have designed our own comics, learned about different types of chocolate, and used random objects as props in creative storytelling.  

Saco students have really enjoyed our Squishy Slimy Science Club and our Marvelous Math Club. They have been fully engaged in brainstorming and then executing a variety of topical activities. We have also started a new STEAM unit on Capybaras in Brazil. In particular, we are exploring how human actions and interactions impact the animals’ behavior.

Waterboro students are excited about two new clubs: Cooking and Slime Club. These offerings, which grew out of student interest, illustrate our commitment to developing student-centered programming. Both clubs offer  hands-on experiences that foster important STEM learning. Students are keeping journals to track the ups and downs of their creations.

Service Works

YouthBuild

The YouthBuild team has been fully invested in refining our program and enhancing our instructional spaces in preparation for the next cohort. We are completing staff trainings, meeting with alumni, and supporting YB members with diploma completion and job placement. Tori, our Director, and Sophie, a recent alum, visited the Maine Statehouse to meet with legislators, spread the word about our program, and advocate for LD 967 which would secure continuous funding for vital youth programs.