LEWISTON — The Center for Wisdom’s Women, a day drop-in center for women, announces its schedule of programs for April.

April 6-13 is national Volunteer Appreciation Week. On Thursday, April 10, the center will host a special luncheon to honor all who volunteered at the center in the last year. Anyone who has worked at the front desk, helped clean, been a companion or taught a class is invited.

Like to cook? Lots is happening in the center’s kitchen starting with the “Cooking Matters” class taught by the Nutrition Center of Maine. This popular six-week class will meet Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon beginning April 11. Participants need to commit to at least five of the six sessions by signing up at the center. Learn new cooking techniques, cook and enjoy a meal with others, and take ingredients home to try it on your own.

The monthly soup making will be on April 1 at 10 a.m., this month featuring a bean soup called Egyptian Ful (fool). Pasta making with the new pasta machine will be on the 3rd at 10 a.m. There will be an Easter bread baking class on the 17th.

On April 18 at 10 a.m., the center will host a guest speaker, Angie Cole, from a new program in Maine called “More than Wheels” which offers classes and coaching to help participants better manage their money, fix their credit and save. The program can also assist in purchasing a car.

Sarah Shepley returns on April 22 at 10 a.m. for her class on bookmaking.

Several nurturing events continue this month. Heather Flanders hosts a “Be Healthy, Be Strong” series each Monday at 12:30. This is a time to support each other, share troubles and find creative solutions to issues of self-esteem, weight or other concerns.

Wednesday afternoons each week are dedicated to nurturing the “Inner Spirit” through experiences like mandala making, spiritual conversation or guided meditation.

Betsy Ware will be at the center at 1 p.m. on April 15 offering Reiki therapy. Reiki is a universal energy work that helps heal and relax the body. Sign up for 10 minutes.

On April 23 at 12:30, Betty Allen will share the many ways to clean using just vinegar. Her great suggestions are natural, non-chemical solutions and they help save money. Bonnie Rousseau returns on the 16th at 10 a.m. to share some fitness games. She offers simple exercises, stretches and meditation. There is usually a special healthy snack and/or a give-away item.

Nursing students from USM are at the center on Thursday mornings to offer health and wellness services. On the 10th at 10 they will have supplies for everyone to make their own first aid kit.

The Writing Workshop with Pat Gardiner continues to meet each Monday at 10. A new Playing with Poetry class offered by Kathryn Tracy is scheduled for 12:30 on the 29th. This will include gently experiencing poems through both reading and writing.

Sue will lead scrapbooking classes on April 2 and 23. Other regular morning events are bingo on the 29th, the Art Van on the 30th, the monthly clothing give-away on the 24th and the April birthday party the 25th. All these classes begin at 10.

Support for family caregivers is available on Tuesdays at 11:30 and a weekly Al-Anon group, the only one in Lewiston, meets on Wednesdays at 5:30. The BLT group for bisexual, lesbian and transgendered women and their friends or family will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 27.

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursdays. On Fridays the center closes at noon. It will be closed Easter Monday, April 21. The center follows the same winter weather closing as Lewiston schools. The full calendar of events is posted at www.wisdomswomen.org.

All women are welcome, programs are offered free of charge and no appointments are needed. Oatmeal breakfasts are available daily and a shower is available for use. The center is continually in need of donations of hygiene items which they give away. Please only full size, unopened, basic items. A particular need at the moment is for tooth paste, conditioner and deodorant.

For questions, or to volunteer, contact Klara Tammany, executive director, at 513-3922. Donations can be written to Trinity Church/Wisdom and sent to The Center for Wisdom’s Women at PO Box 1016, Lewiston 04243. Trinity serves as a supporting partner and fiscal agent for the center.