Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank (far left), Janice de Lima, VP and CRA Officer of Norway Savings Bank (second from right) and Carolyn Thomas, SVP and Chief Risk Officer of Norway Savings Bank (far right) present a $200,000 check to Christopher O’Connor, Executive Director of Equality Community Center (second from left) and Ed Gardner, Board Member of Equality Community Center (middle).
NORWAY, Maine – Norway Savings Bank is proud to announce a $200,000 donation to the Equality Community Center (ECC) as part of their capital campaign to purchase and renovate their new building at 15 Casco Street, Portland. The Equality Community Center, which will open on June 1, 2022, is a collaborative workplace for LGBTQ+ and allied social justice seeking nonprofit organizations.
“We strive for the Equality Community Center to be a safer and more inclusive gathering space that provides social and educational programming for all, while supporting the most marginalized in our communities,” said Manager, Christopher O’Connor. “Without the support of businesses like Norway Savings Bank, we would not have been able to purchase and renovate this space into what we have envisioned for our community.”
“I’m particularly proud to be a participant in this endeavor,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “The Center brings together fantastic nonprofit organizations like EqualityMaine, MaineTransNet, Pride Portland, Democracy Maine, Cross Cultural Community Services, Khmer Maine and others into a space where everyone can feel safe, heard and valued. It’s truly a special place.”
The building, which formerly housed Maine Savings Bank, offers a variety of office spaces, conference rooms and the first floor “Great Room” for events, conferences, lectures and performances. Nonprofits interested in renting space should contact Christopher O’Connor at 207-613-9633.
Phase 3 of the Equality Community Center project calls for the construction of an apartment building next door, which will feature a wide array of affordable housing units for the community. Initial planning is underway, including raising the initial project funds through the ECC Capital Campaign.
About Norway Savings Bank
Founded in 1866, Norway Savings Bank is a leading mutual banking and financial services company headquartered in Norway, Maine. As of March 31, 2022, Norway Savings Bank had $1.753 billion in total assets. Norway Savings Bank has 24 branch locations and operates divisions in trust and investment services, personal banking and business banking. In 2016, Norway Savings Bank was honored as one of the Best Banks to Work For by American Banker and Best Companies Group as well as one of the Best Places to Work in Maine. In 2022, Norway was recognized with the “Best Wellness Employer – Gold Certification” for the fourth year in a row by Wellness Workdays. BauerFinancial has designated Norway Savings Bank the “Best of Bauer” for earning and maintaining its highest 5-star rating for 32 continuous years. For more information, visit www.norwaysavings.bank.
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