On Wednesday, July 9, more than 183 community members, local leaders, and recovery advocates gathered at 47 Water Street to celebrate the grand opening of the Access Center—a project of the Maine Recovery Access Project (ME-RAP)t. The ribbon cutting marked the launch of a welcoming new space dedicated to supporting individuals in recovery and those navigating challenges related to housing, employment, and wellness. 

“The Access Center is more than just a building—it’s a community-built recovery hub rooted in love, hope, and solidarity. By blending recovery support with harm reduction, we’re meeting people where they’re at and proving what’s possible when we lead with love, solidarity, and relentless hope.”  said Courtney Gary-Allen, Executive Director of the Maine Recovery Access Project. “This is just the beginning—on day one alone, ten people walked through our doors, including someone who is now connected to treatment and will spend tonight in a detox bed here in Maine. Additionally, has anyone noticed no one is under the bridge today?”

“This isn’t just the opening of a building—it’s the opening of a future. The new Access Center is a living legacy of advocacy, built on the values and fearless work of Jesse Harvey. His words—‘People who use drugs don’t deserve to die’—are etched into the walls and the heart of this movement.” said Ryan Hampton, Executive Director of Mobilieze Recovery, “This center will save lives, amplify voices, and drive policy change. As opioid settlement dollars flow into our states, we must protect that funding and ensure it honors those we’ve lost by investing in community-driven solutions like this one. I also want to lift up Courtney Gary-Allen—whose grit and vision made today possible. This center proves that in adversity, Maine doesn’t back down—it leads. Dirigo.” 

“As the Executive Director of the Maine Recovery Council—and as someone who previously served on the Council representing the harm reduction community—I’m proud to say we awarded nearly $500,000 of Maine’s opioid settlement funds to support the creation of the Access Center,” said Chasity Tuell. “This funding represents more than just a financial investment. It represents decades of harm done to our communities and a collective commitment to healing. This isn’t just a building—it’s a lifeline. It’s a place where people who use drugs can walk through the doors and be met with dignity, compassion, and care. That is harm reduction. And harm reduction is community care.”

“The Augusta City Council is committed to being good stewards of opioid settlement funds, evident from their recent approval of a policy to govern how our community’s share of funds will be used. As part of that policy, $400,000 to support treatment, recovery, prevention, and harm reduction has been allocated to a grant process overseen by a newly appointed committee. Please keep your eyes open for an announcement from the committee about the application process,” said City Manager Jared Mills. “I’m also proud of the collaboration we’re seeing at today’s event. Service providers from across the city are coming together to support the Access Center, and I look forward to seeing this space become a cornerstone of our community’s response to substance use. Collaboration is one of the recommendations from the Augusta Task Force on Homelessness.  The Mayor is finalizing the steering committee, composed of a smaller number of task force members, to implement their recommendations.  The City will also have regular provider group meetings, which we are very excited to include the Access Center, to make sure all of the local service providers are working together to fill the gaps.”

“ME-RAP is a vital community partner in downtown Augusta, not only showing up in recovery spaces but also showing up in the streets, organizing community clean ups, connecting with neighbors, with a shared goal of downtown being safe and welcoming for everyone.” said Victoria Abbott, Executive Director Bread of Life and Chair of Augusta Downtown Alliance, “We are proud to neighbors and patterns with ME-RAP in this work, because we all know that housing, food, treatment, recovery, and mental health are not separate challenges. They are deeply connected. To everyone in recovery and those walking that path: we see you and we stand with you.”

“Addiction is not going away. Homelessness is not going away. Mental illness is not going away. Once you are able to accept that and understand that it is not going away, it paves the way for you to begin to try to help.” said Ehrin Simanski, Owner of Lisa’s Legit Burrito, “That is why I’m involved in this. That’s why I am here. I hope other businesses will join me in stepping in, learning, and contributing to recovery in Augusta and across Maine. I know I’m psyched to have ME-RAP downtown.”

For more information about the Access Center or the Maine Recovery Access Project, please contact info@me-rap.org or call the Center at (207) 248-6033. Donations can be made at www.me-rap.org. 

The Access Center offers a wide range of free, peer-based services designed to meet people where they are. These include daily recovery support meetings, one-on-one peer support, housing and employment navigation, help with accessing treatment and community resources, and essential services like showers and secure personal storage for individuals who are unhoused. The Center also provides access to phones, computers, and printing for job searches and benefit applications. Beyond core services, the Center fosters community connection through volunteer service days, social events, and workshops focused on skill-building, creative expression, and wellness. All programs are free and open to the public, with an emphasis on inclusion, dignity, and person-centered support.