The Telling Room launches $1M fundraising campaign to expand its space
A journal awaits a student at The Telling Room in Portland. (Photo courtesy of The Telling Room)
The Telling Room has moved into a larger home on Portland’s Washington Avenue, gaining 50% more space for its youth writing programs, as the nonprofit launches a three-year, $1 million fundraising campaign to support its growth.
The Portland-based nonprofit writing center moved in September from its longtime home on Commercial Street in the Old Port to 55 Washington Ave. The new space will allow the organization to expand programming for young writers, hire and retain staff and host more community events, including author readings and book launches.
The Telling Room helps youth and teens develop their storytelling skills which in turns helps build self-confidence and self-expression.
Students from between 100 and 135 Maine communities participate in its workshops annually.
In 2015, The Telling Room won the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award for its Young Writers & Leaders program, and several of its staff members and students visited the White House and met with first lady Michelle Obama.
Founded in 2004, The Telling Room rented space on Commercial Street for more than two decades before organizers decided they needed a larger, more cohesive space that would be easier for students to access.
Advertisement
The Telling Room’s new location on Washington Ave. in Portland features a courtyard adjacent to teaching spaces. (Photo courtesy of The Telling Room)
“Once we were coming up on 20 years, we had to reevaluate and think about what’s the next vision for the organization,” said Telling Room Executive Director Kristina Powell.
About a year ago, Powell and Program Coordinator Nick Whiston toured available space at 55 Washington Ave. on the Portland peninsula owned by The Dayton Group.
“One of the wonderful things about our new space is that you walk in and you really feel like you’ve arrived in a singular place, and that’s something that’s not that easy to find,” Whiston said. “So I’m really excited.”
Telling Room education manager Marjolaine Whittlesey, left, and lead teacher Swathi Sivasubramanian talk during an after-school session. (Photo courtesy of The Telling Room)
Powell is also happy to join the popular Washington Avenue corridor, which is busy with restaurants, small businesses and other nonprofits, including the housing-focused Project Home at 75 Washington Ave. and The Root Cellar, which offers food assistance, youth mentoring and English-language learning, at 94 Washington Ave.
To help support the move, as well as attract and retain staff that will help expand its programming, The Telling Room recently launched a three-year, $1 million campaign called Grow.Write.Now.
More than $300,000 has already been raised.
Powell said she feels positive about the future of the organization. “It’s been really lovely with pinch myself moments that have felt so good. It’s been a long run in the making.”
To learn more about The Telling Room and the Grow.Write.Now. campaign, go to tellingroom.org.
Copy the Story Link
Aimsel Ponti is a music writer and content producer for the Portland Press Herald. She has been obsessed with – and inspired by – music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town. More by Aimsel Ponti
