SHARECenter Director Lisa Rodrigues stands among chairs in July at the former Martel Elementary School at 880 Lisbon St. in Lewiston. She said the center, which provides educational supplies free to its members, plans to relocate to the former Rotary Auto Sales at 1830 Lisbon St. in January 2023. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal file
LEWISTON — After months of uncertainty, the SHARECenter has completely moved out of the former Martel Elementary School and is eyeing a late January opening for its new location on Lisbon Street.
Renovations at the former Rotary Auto Sales building at 1830 Lisbon St. are ongoing, according to Executive Director Lisa Rodrigues. Due to uncertain timelines for renovations and set-up, there is no set date yet for when the nonprofit will reopen to its members.
Currently, Rodrigues is focused on setting up the new location, which will also include a retail store for nonmembers to shop, as well as raising money to pay the lease.
At roughly $12,000 per month, this is the first time in the SHARECenter’s more than 20 years of operations that it will be paying its own rent and utilities. In the past, the organization received space to operate through in-kind agreements.
So far, the SHARECenter has been successful collecting funds and attracting donors. The organization was one of five to be awarded a $40,000 diversion grant from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection recently. In addition, Peter Geiger, a well-known local philanthropist, has offered to match up to $10,000 in donations.
Once an organization that focused solely on providing needed supplies to schools and educators, the SHAREcenter now additionally serves nonprofit organizations, small businesses, day care centers, home school students and municipalities across Maine.
The center collects donated supplies and furniture for member organizations to use. Members pay a fee, which allows their staff unlimited access to the items.
Those interested in contributing to the matching donation campaign or volunteering can email Rodrigues at lrodrigues@auburnschl.edu or call 207-333-6671.
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