For Colleges:

DEC extends the possibilities of community-based projects, learning, research and service in several ways. DEC is a gateway for coordinated, intensive work between the colleges and the downtown community, and it offers an opportunity for deeper collaboration with and between the sibling educational institutions of the Androscoggin County. As such, DEC serves as an access point for faculty and students to Lewiston’s downtown and for the downtown community to the resources of the colleges.

Please see the What We Do page for descriptions of projects, programs, activities and specific opportunities for student involvement, research and curricular connections.

Here are ways you might use DEC:

As a place for holding classes, meetings or community conversations in the downtown.
As a vehicle for research and pedagogy.
As a home base and meeting space for downtown project-based work for community members, student volunteer groups, service learning students, faculty, staff and community partner organizations.
As an anchor in the downtown for First Year Students – a discussion place, a site for short-term projects, a meeting place for field trips.
As a space which can house discussion groups, a film seminar, clinics, practica and studios for and with community members.
As a resource to help you think strategically about collaborations between the colleges and the community to do civically engaged work, to coordinate collaborative activities in the DEC space, and to assist you with developing projects.

Below are some comments from some of the people within the community that have at some point in time become involved with DEC.

Terry Howard, Student, Andover College
For me, the Downtown Education Collaborative is Lewiston. What we do for these children in the afterschool homework help program has been more fulfilling in my life than anything else I have ever done.

Courtney Phillips, Student, Bates College
The Downtown Education Collaborative has meant the world to me. Tutoring Lewiston students, interacting with the community and learning everyone's unique story has pushed me to ask myself the tougher questions in life and really analyze the world around me. The Photovoice Project was incredible and I am grateful not only for the beautiful finished product now displayed in DEC's office, but also for the time I got to spend with various members of the community learning about their stories. DEC became my second family and I hope to work on more exciting projects like Photovoice in the future.

Brandilee Lacasse, Student, Central Maine Community College
I have just recently gotten involved with the Downtown Education Collaborative by helping them with the creation of this site. It has provided me with priceless experience and allowed me to give back to the community at the same time. I have gotten to apply the skills I learned in a classroom to the real world and it shines a whole new light on all the possibilities that are out there, not just for me but for everyone as long as they are willing to believe in themselves and what they can do.

DEC has the potential to cross boundaries and effect change in both our downtown community and our educational institutions. It represents a unique experiment in community-based education and inter-institutional synergy. Please join us in becoming a part of this dynamic new initiative.

Click here for more opportunities to get involved