Hundreds of local seniors who never want to stop learning can breath a sigh of relief, now that Midcoast Senior College has found a new home.

College President James Wilkes announced Monday that the institution has signed a five-year lease in the Seeds of Independence building at Brunswick Landing.

The college’s new home includes three classrooms located in a separate wing in the building, a volunteer work room and a kitchen.

The college had since 2014 been leasing space from Southern New Hampshire University at Tibbetts Drive near Cook’s Corner. SNHU announced in November 2017 that it would be closing its Brunswick location due to a drop in enrollment.

With a limited budget, Midcoast Senior College needed space accessible to those with disabilities, and had plenty of parking.

It eventually found space with the Seeds of Independence building at 29 Burbank Ave. at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. Seeds of Independence is a nonprofit that helps often challenged or troubled youth through mentorships, community service and work programs.

“We are incredibly honored to be welcoming Midcoast Senior College to the Seeds Collaborative services building on the Landing,” Seeds of Independence Executive Director Erika Weidner said. “Learning of their mission and how well both of our visions aligned helped make this effort come to fruition. I know that both organizations will benefit immensely from this new partnership, where we will bridge generations through unique educational experiences.”

Wilkes also sees areas of compatibility.

“The two of us are going to work perfectly together because our mission statements are very similar,” said Wilkes. “We both exist to help people learn — Seeds of Independence with a younger population, us with the older population.”

Established in 2000, Midcoast Senior College — one of 17 senior colleges in Maine, serves Freeport to Waldoboro and up to Augusta.

This spring, the college offers 30 courses, ranging from history and literature to science and music, for those 50 and older. The non-credit classes are taught by volunteer instructors with experience in their particular field.

More than 600 seniors enrolled in classes this spring. They pay a $15 fee per semester and between $28 to $56 for books and materials.

Wilkes said Midcoast Senior College has already struck a relationship with the colleges down the road from their new home, which are allowing some use of their buildings as well. For example, when University College of Bath/Brunswick isn’t using classrooms, he said, “we’ll be in those classrooms.”

The move to Brunswick Landing is expected to begin May 1.

Visit midcoastseniorcollege.org for more information.