Sophia’s House will celebrate its opening in Lewiston Dec. 12, 13

LEWISTON — After years of planning, fundraising and work, Sophia’s House — located at Blake and Walnut streets — will celebrate its opening with several events Thursday and Friday, Dec. 12 and 13.
A project of The Center for Wisdom’s Women, Sophia’s House will be a residential community for female survivors of trafficking/exploitation, prison and addiction, based on the model of Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tenn. A project of the Daughters of Wisdom — a religious order of nuns — the word “Sophia” comes from the Hebrew and Christian translation for the “spirit of God.”
Regina Mullins Greenlee, one of the first graduates of the Thistle Farm program and an instrumental person in its growth and development over the years, will attend the event, making a brief presentation at the LA Metro Chamber breakfast. She also will be the guest speaker at a Great Falls Forum at the Lewiston Public Library Thursday at noon, discussing her life and journey to healing titled “Finding My Way Home.”
There will a “Wise and Strong Women SPEAK!” event Thursday at 5 p,m. at Sophia’s House. Speakers include the architect for the project, Gabriella Russell of Platz Associates. She will be joined by Amy Smith of Healthy Homeworks, who will be providing rental management support for the project. Their common focus will be on the commitment they both have to the city of Lewiston as well as creating safe and healthy environments for those who live there.
A ribbon cutting ceremony at Sophia’s House will be held Friday at noon, followed by an open house with tours until 3 p.m. A dedication and blessing of the building will follow, with Greenlee and others speaking. Interfaith Chaplain Sarah Shepley and Sarah Gillespie, chaplain at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, will preside over the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served.
No reservations are required for events that take place at Sophia’s House. Those who attend the Friday events are invited to bring gifts of hygiene items for the center’s hygiene pantry. Only full sized, unopened containers, please, and only basic items of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and feminine pads.
The Center for Wisdom’s Women is a day drop-in center for women. Parking at the site is limited but available on the street or a few blocks away in the Park Street garage. For more information, 207-513-3922 or www.wisdomswomen.org

PHOTO: Regina Greenlee (Submitted photo)