SACO — Local nonprofit  Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement has ceased operation after serving the community for five years. 

The center was founded in 2013 by District 31 State Senator Justin Chenette, D-Saco; his district covers Hollis, Limington, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, and part of Buxton. Chenette is also employed by the Journal Tribune as a digital advertising executive.

Chenette founded the organization to provide support and resources for individuals and groups with a desire to help the community and assist community members interested in launching a charitable project.   

“We stepped up to the plate to encourage volunteerism in creative ways,” said Chenette. “Our team set the bar high for what can be accomplished with a little elbow grease and honest to good community organizing.” 

Chenette said he created the organization out of frustration and a need for service projects to find a home. 

Since 2013, the Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement has raised and donated close to $10,000 to advance arts education through direct classroom grants, connect homeless Veterans to job training, help students pay for college, and honor law enforcement officials through the placement of blue window lights. 

Chenette said there are a lot of great nonprofits that are taking the lead in community projects, including the recently revitalized Saco Grange #53, local rotary clubs, of which there are now three; and Saco Main Street, which has expanded its community outreach and will be taking over the Project Blue Light. 

Chenette said two college scholarships, the Justin Chenette Spirit of Service Scholarship at Thornton Academy and the Future Entrepreneur Scholarship at Old Orchard Beach High School, will continue through a new nonprofit scholarship fund being created. 

Chenette’s involvement in the community also factored into closing the nonprofit as he is also the president of Saco’s downtown development organization, Saco Main Street, vice president of Friends of the OOB Ballpark, and an active member of the Saco Bay Rotary Club. 

Heather Forbes, former board secretary for the Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement, approached Chenette regarding how to establish a nonprofit for a community project she runs, Friends for the Holidays. 

Friends for the Holidays was brought under the nonprofit umbrella of the Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement. Forbes said being a part of the center was helpful because she and others interested in community service were able to share ideas. 

“Naturally the closure of anything, even if it is for the right reason is a little sad,” said Forbes. “There is still an opportunity to keep building. It doesn’t mean it’s gone forever, it’s just taken a different path.”

Through her project, Friends for the Holidays, Forbes works with local children on several seasonal projects including making Christmas cards and ornaments and distributing them to those serving in the military and residents in a local assisted living center, helping the Salvation Army kettle drive, collecting food donations for a family in need, and bringing pet toys to an animal shelter. 

She said she plans to continue to project, though she hasn’t worked out the details. She said she may partner with another nonprofit or establish her own.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].