LEWISTON — Five women from the Center for Wisdom’s Women in Lewiston were among 300 others who recently attended the Thistle Farms National Conference at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

The trip was funded by a grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Maine.

The Magdalene Houses of Thistle Farms are for women survivors of trafficking or prostitution, addiction and prison. They offer long-term, community based, holistic, residential recovery support. The women’s center is planning to replicate the model in Lewiston by creating Sophia’s House.

Through facilitating collaboration and networking with local stakeholders, the Center will help to improve short- and long-term outcomes for women in recovery. The project is aimed at increasing access to recovery, vocational and economic resources that bring women permanently out of poverty.

The center plans to renovate the old convent at Blake and Walnut streets.

Anyone interested in supporting this project may contact Klara Tammany at the women’s center at 513-3922.

The Center for Wisdom’s Women is a weekday drop-in center for women. It provides a safe and sacred space for the support and empowerment of women. All women are welcome. Programs are offered daily at no charge.

FMI: www.wisdomswomen.org

Five women from the Center for Wisdom’s Women in Lewiston attend the Thistle Farms National Conference at Vanderbilt University in Nashville in June. From left are Sue Coker, Sonia Turgeon, Nancy Reynolds, Pat Light and Helen Belisle.