LEWISTON, Maine — The Lewiston community is trying to heal after the city experienced a mass shooting nearly three weeks ago.
On Monday, the city of Lewiston in partnership with the state opened a community resiliency center (CRC) to serve all Mainers for many months to come.
The "Maine Resiliency Center," managed by Lewiston-based nonprofit Community Concepts, is located at 184 Main Street in downtown Lewiston and will serve as a safe space where victims, survivors, first responders, and community members can seek support through this difficult time.
"I hope that we can bring joy back into individuals' lives. I hope that we can be a space where people can process loss and trauma," Danielle Parent, the director of the CRC, said.
The CRC is open for walk-ins weekdays from noon-5 p.m. Additional services are available if you schedule a private appointment.
"The loss and impact is not something we will ever get over instead this is something that we are getting through," Jim Martin, the CEO of Community Concepts, said. "The center will be dedicated to serving as a resource hub for anyone impacted by this senseless violence."
Organizers said the CRC is still under development and will add additional services depending on the needs of the people using the center.
"We want this to be a safe space, so we want people to come as they are. That could be ready to talk and that could [be] just needing a space to sit and somebody to hold space for them. If somebody were to come in, we are going to receive them in the way they are ready to be received," Parent said.
The center will offer access to case managers and behavioral and mental health services. Parent said it's very likely services will center around support groups and wellness activities as well.
For now, the resiliency center will be open for the next two years. However, Parent and Martin said they hope it continues beyond 24 months as they expect an ongoing need for a community center like this.
The city of Lewiston and the state of Maine have used funds to open the center but are in the process of applying for Department of Justice federal funds to help pay for ongoing operations, according to Martin.
You can reach the center by calling 207-515-3930. You can also call this number to request having interpreting services at the center upon your arrival.