he Community Resource Lab is an evening drop-in center where adults, young and old, learn to use the computer for writing resumes, doing job searches, and e-mailing friends and family from afar. We have qualified volunteers who help in adult education classes and ESL tutoring. We also provide childcare for parents using the center.

Location:	Portland West, 181 Brackett Street, Portland
Days of Operation:	Monday through Friday
Hours of Operation:	6:00pm to 8:00pm

etter from Community Resouce Volunteer

"Portland West through the Community Resource Lab, Neighbors newspaper and their After-School Learning Center is a place where immigrant and native U.S. citizens can interact and understand each other better. Portland West is a place where this already happens. The work is not glamorous, but I have had interactions that I won’t forget.

One night I taught a Sudanese woman about American money, counting out dimes and nickels and quarters on the table with her so she could feel confident about buying her groceries at the store.

I helped one man search for childcare so his wife could return to work. I taught people how to look for jobs. I helped one man access better ESL classes at the University of Southern Maine so he can more quickly qualify to enter a degree program there and continue his education.

I have witnessed the passion and energy of a young Somali woman discovering the truth about politics, violence and racism and privilege in our society. She isn’t jaded and she doesn’t feel discouraged about problems; she wants to make things better. She researches about AIDS and wants to tell us about this amazing movie she just saw and what she thinks about it: Bowling for Columbine. She draws beautiful sketches for Portland West’s Neighbors newspaper. She’s creative and curious. She wants to get a good education. Staff and volunteers at Portland West have been a big support and encouragement for her and I’m convinced she will be, in fact, she already is a great asset to Portland’s community."