DHHS Announces Volunteer Collaboration With LearningWorks

Initiative will provide opportunities for SNAP recipients, help LearningWorks meet goal

Augusta, Maine - Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Mary Mayhew on Tuesday announced that DHHS has partnered with LearningWorks, a Portland-based nonprofit, to help Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) seeking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients find volunteer opportunities through LearningWorks's participation in the AmeriCorps "AIMS HIGH" program.

The AIMS HIGH program recruits, trains, and places AmeriCorps members in five schools across Maine, and there are 45 positions available currently. Members support schools and students in improving academic outcomes and increasing community engagement in schools. AIMS HIGH AmeriCorps members commit to serving 300 hours and are matched in placements according to their skill level, interests, and school and community needs.

Upon successful completion of a 300 hour AmeriCorps service term, members are eligible to receive an education award of $1,195, which can be applied to tuition or eligible student loan debt.

"DHHS is very pleased to be entering into this partnership with LearningWorks, which not only gives able-bodied adults without dependents an opportunity to meet our new work requirement for SNAP benefits, but provides them with valuable education incentives to support their transition from welfare to work," said Commissioner Mayhew. "It is critical that we be creative and proactive in our efforts to replace generational welfare dependency with the self-confidence and self-sufficiency that comes from work, community service, and education. I would like to thank Ethan Strimling of LearningWorks for partnering with DHHS in this mutually beneficial collaboration."

The partnership comes in the wake of Governor Paul R. LePage's institution of a requirement that ABAWDs work for 20 hours per week, volunteer for approximately one hour per day, or attend a qualifying educational program in order to maintain their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. DHHS has placed 736 calls to ABAWDs to inform them of the opportunity to participate in the LearningWorks AIMS HIGH program, and 25 have responded showing their interest. DHHS has also referred TANF-ASPIRE recipients to LearningWorks to participate. Today's announcement comes out of an effort to increase awareness of this valuable opportunity.

"AIMS HIGH is an incredible opportunity for all Mainers, including those on SNAP or in ASPIRE, to build valuable work experience while making important connections in the educational community," said LearningWorks CEO Ethan Strimling. "Many of our alums have gone on to paid employment in schools as Ed Techs or in other capacities. We are thrilled to be working with Commissioner Mayhew and DHHS to help fill these positions and provide a valuable community service to our schools."

The participating schools include Carrabec High School in North Anson, Spruce Mountain High School in Jay, Kaler Elementary in South Portland, Riverton Elementary in Portland, and East End Community School in Portland. Examples of the work performed by AIMS HIGH participants includes cultivating school garden programs, running recess games and student picnics, supporting students with credit recovery to graduate on time, and engaging students in community service projects.

Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents or anybody interested in this opportunity may contact LearningWorks at (207) 775-0105 to participate in the AmeriCorps AIMS HIGH program through LearningWorks.