Community Conversations

Community Conversations is semi-annual discussion series that offers a balanced, but informative, eye-opening view of topics important to the communities we serve to civic & business leaders, policy makers, educators, and friends of LearningWorks and collaborating organizations.

The Steering Committee for Community Conversations includes Laura Young, Lucky Hollander, Steve Schuit, Ken Kunin, Bonnie Porta, and Gillian Schair.

Sponsorships for Community Conversations were generously provided by Wright Express, Mercy Hospital, Maine Medical Center, TD Bank, RM Davis, Preti Flaherty, Pierce Atwood, Verrill Dana, Bangor Savings Bank and the Portland Public Library.

Pathways Out of Poverty: Personal Stories of What Works

Community Conversations 2011

Breaking Out of Generational Poverty: Governor LePage's Personal Story, July 6, 2011

Governor Paul LePage told his personal story of breaking out of generational poverty to an audience of more than 200 at LearningWorks' third Community Conversations forum, held at Maine Medical Center on July 6. A panel that included Suzanne McCormick, President of the United Way of Greater Portland; Vincent Conti, former CEO of Maine Medical Center; Cielle Pomerleau, LearningWorks Youth Building Alternatives graduate, and Jeanne Whynot-Vickers, LearningWorks' Director of Educational Excellence. Watch the full event here.

Community Conversations 2010

Ending Generational Poverty: The Role of Education, October 25, 2010

Education works to create a route out of poverty. This was the message presented by three stellar panelists at LearningWorks' second Community Conversation on Monday. Maine Commissioner of Education Angela Faherty, University of Maine System Chancellor Richard Pattenaude, and Glenn Cummings, President and Executive Director of Good Will-Hinckley, spoke to a crowd of over 150 at the Portland Public Library. Watch the full event here.

The event 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 the video here.

Generational Poverty and its Impact on Maine's Youth and our Community, May 26, 2010

An audience of 150+ non-profit and government practitioners, civic leaders, educators, members of the business community and friends of LearningWorks gathered at the Portland Public Library to pose questions to expert panelists Chief Justice Leigh Saufley, Portland Public Schools Superintendent Jim Morse, Policy
Analyst Nicole Witherbee, and Riverton Study Center Coordinator John Ochira, who
described the causes, implications and possible steps toward breaking the cycle of generational poverty.

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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.