About us
The mission of the Mt. Hope Learning Center is to provide a safe environment in which the children and adults of the community can learn skills that will enable them to enhance their quality of life and have more productive futures. We believe that every person has unfulfilled potential, and it is our goal to provide our neighbors with the opportunity to obtain a better understanding of that potential.
The Learning Center, working together with parents, volunteers, community organizations and schools, will help neighborhood residents overcome barriers to success. Our goal is to create learning experiences that promote self-respect and confidence in our youth, families, and community.
History of the Mt. Hope Learning Center
In 1998, Mt. Hope community residents teamed up with Community Police Officers George Pereira and Jeff Ferreira to open The Mt. Hope Learning Center in a small storefront facility on Camp St. Their goal was to create an accessible, safe, and nurturing place for residents of Mt. Hope to learn valuable skills and enrich their lives. The Learning Center started by providing a variety of free classes and afternoon tutoring for neighborhood children. As the popularity of the Learning Center grew, adult education classes such as English as a Second Language and Computers/Internet were added.
Responding to the need for additional space, The Mt. Hope Learning Center acquired the large Federal period house located at 140 Cypress Street. More than 450 volunteers along with donations of money, materials, and expertise went into the renovation of the house, transforming it into a fully functioning educational center for the Mt. Hope community.
Programs and Features
Quality After School Program: Monday through Friday at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, students in Kindergarten through 5th grade engage in exciting, educational activities. This program offers homework help, STEAM, and academic enrichments also such as crafts, music, theater, sports, and much, much more.
Morning Care: If your children attend MLK and you need to go to work early, MHLC offers care between 6:30 am to 8:30 am. Breakfast is provided.
STEAM inclusion: (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics): throughout the week in the after school program STEAM classes are facilitated. In addition to acquiring valuable skill sets, students are able to earn “STEAM Bucks”, which can be spent on educational toys at our STEAM Store.
Cooking Class: Middle school students learn to prepare a different dish or meal. Whether it’s making breakfast, dinner or a traditional family favorite. Each week students gain sharper kitchen skills while simultaneously learning healthy habits and practicing math, science, and language arts. Offered through sponsorship from The Miriam Hospital.
Vacation & Summer Camps: For students Kindergarten through early middle school. MHLC offers camp programs during the school break and every summer.
Technology Center: Our computer labs offer community members access to the Internet and educational software.
Library: A welcoming space with an eclectic collection of children’s reading and reference books.
Science Lab: A sunny exploration space to introduce young minds to scientific tools and methods.
Art Studio: Our Center has several spaces to were children and adults can unleash the artist within and let their creativity shine
Summer Meal Program: In partnership with The Department of Parks and Recreation, MHLC serves breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in our summer camp. This new program insures that students have healthy meals, 5 days a week during the summer.
Call for more information.