LearningWorks Newsletter: April 2025

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Equipping Maine learners with the confidence and skills to realize their full potential

April 2025

Dear Friends & Supporters,

According to the calendar, Spring has officially opened. A quick glance out the window suggests that Winter still has a hold. Many of our agency conversations these days are centered on plans for this Summer. Despite the confusing, mixed-up, and muddy nature of navigating April in New England, one thing remains certain – our focus on nurturing the development of children and youth. This monthly newsletter offers some highlights about their steady progress. If you would like any additional information about our programs, do not hesitate to contact us. Witnessing our students build confidence and hope each day keeps us pressing ahead. Thank you for the many ways that you support our mission and the vital services we offer.

Peace,

Thomas McLaughlin, Executive Director

LearningWorks After School

LWAS Biddeford has been focusing on ecology. University of New England students lead us in a boat project and other STEM activities. The Biddeford program also enjoyed a visit from the McArthur Children’s Librarian and her “pet” dinosaur (above).

LWAS Portland students have stayed busy with visits from Maine Audubon educators, making healthy treats in cooking club, and learning about sound and acoustics. Ocean Avenue students applied their knowledge of simple machines to make art and comfort kits for Maine Needs. Students compared how long assembly took working alone (4 minutes and 30 seconds) to everyone working together in assembly line style (only 15 seconds!). See the students and the completed kits below.

LWAS Saco is excited about starting a new Go2Science mission about “Tigers in Thailand.” Students have been enjoying board game club, book club, and art club where they have been making their own creations. Students also learned how to use light boards and drew pictures of artic animals with Nick Blunier, a local Biddeford artist and owner of Common Roots Studio.

LWAS Waterboro students made a life size model of a gigantic tenontosaurus. This was part of a new Go2Science mission.

Service Works

Service Works staff have been getting ready the Sanford Community Garden ready for spring by patching greenhouse holes and leveling the interior sand. Our Biddeford Coordinator took participants to Apex Youth Connection to fix up their mountain bike and learn about their summer programs. Our Sanford Coordinator helped a participant work with Another Chance Rescue to trap-neuter-return their cat and her kittens.

YouthBuild

YouthBuild’s newest cohort of fifteen participants have finished their Mental Toughness period and have begun their 4-week apprenticeship. Mental Toughness is a YouthBuild tradition that consists of various team building, orientation, and career-readiness activities. At the end of apprenticeship, participants will decide if they want to focus on culinary or construction. We are excited about a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity Greater Portland where members will help build affordable housing in Standish.

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Our Contact Information
LearningWorks
190 Riverside Street, Unit 6B
Portland, ME 04103

207-775-0105
learningworks.me

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LearningWorks Newsletter: April 2025

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