Lewiston, Maine – September 16, 2021 – The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Foundation, in alignment with their mission to help individuals and families in the bank’s local communities, has committed $25,000 to help Safe Voices reach their goal of $1 Million for The Blueprint Campaign. Safe Voices provides emergency services, shelter, and support to victims of domestic violence in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties. The largest philanthropic effort by any domestic violence resource center in Maine, The Blueprint campaign seeks to raise $1 million by the end of 2022 to create a 12,000 square foot resource center in the heart of downtown Lewiston.
“We are deeply grateful to the leadership at Maine Community Bank for this gift, and for their demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of all people in our community,” says Victoria Stanton, Director of Development and Engagement at Safe Voices. “Survivors of domestic violence and their children deserve dignity and services that support them throughout their entire journey to healing. Knowing that partners like Maine Community Bank share these values means so much to those of us called to do this work.”
The Foundation has received the honor of naming the Family Lounge, one of the rooms in the new, comprehensive resource center. “The new location will provide a welcoming space for families and individuals leaving a harmful situation, providing them with a sense of peace, knowing the support they need is here and the community stands behind them”, said Foundation Board Chair Wayne Sherman.
Jeanne Hulit, President & CEO of Maine Community Bank, the parent company of the Foundation added, “We are honored to continue our longstanding support for Safe Voices, an outstanding organization that does the much-needed work of providing support to victims of abuse in our community and helping those that have been victimized rebuild their lives.”
About Maine Community Bank
Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings have been financial partners to the people of Central and Southern Maine for the past 150 years. To help carry their commitment to the communities they serve, the two banks merged on January 1, 2020, becoming divisions of Maine Community Bank. The merger expands the lending capacity, product offerings, and branch service area, while keeping all decision making at the local level. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, and Windham
About the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Foundation
The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation was created in July 2020 and is structured to give back to the communities in a larger, more enduring way. The Foundation’s mission is to help individuals and families in the bank’s local communities meet their basic needs and achieve financial empowerment.