LEWISTON — The Lewiston Housing Authority Hillview Aspirations program has received a $350 grant from the Androscoggin County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to support after-school and summer programming for the low-income youth who live at the Hillview housing development.

The funds have been used to acquire a one-year membership to the ShareCenter, a program that collects materials from business and industry for reuse by school departments and after-school programs.

“This grant is allowing us to get really creative in our youth programming and do more activities with youth because we have more access to materials,” said Cassie DeFillipo, an AmeriCorps VISTA member who coordinates the Aspirations Program. “At the same time, we are teaching youth about reusing and recycling.”

The Hillview Aspirations program was founded three years ago as part of the Youth Enrichment Opportunity Program to allow youth access to activities and programming that will enable them to lift themselves out of poverty. It includes art classes, music classes, computer classes, cooking classes with Lots to Gardens, homework help and the Aspirations program. One aspect of the Aspirations program is the Sew Fabulous! 4-H Sewing Club, which has taken pieces of rug and extra ropes found at the ShareCenter and made purses to exhibit at the Topsham Fair.