Augusta nonprofit seeks public's help to complete $5M capital campaign
Rendering / Courtesy, WBRC Architects-Engineers
The Children's Center, an early childhood intervention and family support services organization for children with special needs, plans to expand its current Augusta facility by 14,000 square feet while renovating 5,000 square feet of existing space.
After raising $4.3 million from private donors to fund a planned expansion, the nonprofit Children's Center in Augusta is now enlisting public support to help the center cross the finish line on its $5 million capital campaign.
The Children’s Center, an early childhood intervention and family support services organization for children with special needs, has a waiting list of more than 100 children. The center aims to expand its current Augusta facility by 14,000 square feet, while renovating 5,000 square feet of existing space.
After receiving several large gifts including a $1 million matching grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation, $250,000 from Peter and Sandra Prescott of Gardiner-based EJP Solutions, and $1 million in from Charlie and Nancy Shuman, of Charlie’s Motor Mall and Charlie’s Family of Dealerships in Augusta, the center recently launched the public phase of its campaign.
"This capital campaign has been humbling and heartwarming,” said Jeff Johnson, Children’s Center executive director. “We have seen major gifts come in from people and organizations who recognize the importance of having services available to kids with special needs during their earliest years.
Noting the long waiting list for children whose developmental window of opportunity to learn and grow is closing, he added, "That’s what we’re trying to fix with this expansion — we’re addressing the waiting list for specialized services and giving more kids in Central Maine more opportunities in life.”
The expansion will more than double the space and provide additional classrooms, specialized service areas and administrative space. The expansion will also create additional gross motor space, a stimulation-sensitive entrance and lobby, solar installation for improved energy efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint, and the state’s only multi-sensory Snoezelen Room to provide therapy for youngsters with autism or sensory processing disorders.
Plans are to break ground on the expansion in the spring.
The center said that while pursuing major gifts will continue to be a part of its strategy, officials are optimistic that the community as a whole will help raise the remaining $700,000 to fund the planned expansion.
More information
Further details about the campaign and opportunities to donate can be found online.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments