PORTLAND—“It’s a space where everyone can feel safe, heard, and valued. It’s truly a special place.”
The words of Dan Walsh, president and CEO of Norway Savings Bank, speak to the importance of the Equality Community Center, a facility that serves as a workplace and community center for LGBTQ+ and social justice organizations but more importantly, stands as a beacon of welcome, inclusion, and the preservation of dignity for countless residents in Portland and beyond.
“The center provides social and educational programming for all while supporting the most marginalized in our communities,” said Christopher O’Connor, executive director of the ECC. “We believe that achieving equality and equity requires visibility and access, and we aim to serve as the first ‘point of contact’ for people in need, but also as an incubator for ideas and creativity to ensure that everyone who seeks inclusivity knows there is a warm and open-hearted gathering place waiting for them.”
The ECC offers a long list of support groups, assistance programs, and community gatherings and also provides office space to many organizations that seek to do the same, including EqualityMaine, MaineTransNet, Pride Portland!, Cross Cultural Community Services, Democracy Maine, Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine, Through These Doors, and others. A large “great room” on the first floor is frequently filled for events, lectures, and performances, and the adjoining Safe Combinations Thrift Store is open four days a week. There’s also a reading room, café, and several conference rooms.
The connection and camaraderie that have come to life at 15 Casco Street has inspired contributions and support from many community organizations and businesses, including Norway Savings Bank. NSB representatives visited ECC on May 8 to meet with Center leadership and deliver a $50,000 check as part of a four-year commitment to help the ECC purchase and renovate the building, which opened in June of 2022.
“Norway Savings Bank was one of the founding supporters of the ECC as well as the capital campaign to close on and enhance the building at 15 Casco Street. Their commitment helped encourage other large donations that helped this dream become a reality,” said O’Connor. “We’re extremely grateful for Norway Savings’ partnership. NSB is providing tremendous leadership within the community, and it’s important for people to know that.”
“It’s incredible to walk around the different floors of the center and see all of these allied organizations and affiliates working together and sharing resources as they strive to create and nurture a welcoming community,” said Walsh. “The ECC is fostering connections and fighting isolation. It’s beautiful to see the community that the ECC is truly building.”
The ECC is 22,000 square feet of helping many people looking to survive to find a path on which they can thrive. What began in 2014 as a small group exploring how to create a LGBTQ+ community center in Maine has become exponentially larger and more meaningful. The success of the center has filled ECC leadership with gratitude and aspirations.
“The next phase of our vision is to build a 54-unit affordable housing complex next to the center to provide affordable housing to ages 55+, including LGBTQ+ older adults, allies, and other marginalized members of our community,” said O’Connor. “It’s audacious, but we’re doing it…we break ground this fall!”
Another chapter in the ECC’s story of astounding growth and impact. For more information about the ECC, including ways in which you can help support their mission, visit www.eccmaine.org.
