LEWISTON — The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation has awarded a $50,000 capital grant to The Center for Wisdom’s Women to develop Sophia’s House. The center applied for the grant for developing the project. 

The center’s residential community of healing for women will be in the Tree Street neighborhood of Lewiston.

Sophia’s House will contain six private rooms for women who are healing from trafficking, incarceration and addiction. There will be five apartments for women living on fixed income.

As the first project in Maine to be modeled on the successful 20-year program of Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tennessee, for up to two years women will live in a safe community with all services and supports needed to restore their lives.

St. Mary’s Health System has donated the building, which previously served as a convent for the Sisters of Notre Dame.

“We are delighted to contribute to this initiative to support women in recovery,” said Steve Jorgensen, president of St. Mary’s Health System. “Sophia’s House will be an invaluable resource, improving the quality of life for people in need.”

Since last February, the center has focused on a capital campaign, chaired by Mike Carey and Audrey Chapman, to raise the $1.7 million for renovations and an operating reserve. Early grant funds were secured and the rest have been given by private donors both local and out of state. 

Work will start on environmental remediation immediately with full renovations slated to begin in January. It’s expected to be completed in the fall of 2019.

St. Mary’s Health Systems’ Director of Facilities Scott Young and the Center for Wisdom’s Women Executive Director Klara Tammany shake hands atter signing paperwork transferring the former convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame in Lewiston to the center for a residence.