11/07/2025
We are so excited to share that we officially own the building at 18 South Main Street in Barre! We signed the construction contract and renovations began on Tuesday. 🥳
Years ago, our former Executive Director, Robert Purvis, began work on this project. He had a vision and spent countless hours planning and developing it. He worked so hard on fundraising. Unfortunately he had to attend to his health and needed to retire before the building was completed. This project was his dream and we are tremendously grateful for all his hard work. Over the past 5+ years our Board Treasurer, Chip Castle, has put in countless hours on this project, helping with fundraising, advocating to the community for the need, meeting with architects and funders etc. Bob and Chip also hired an excellent person to manage this project. Paul Dettman has also put in countless hours getting everything in order and sorting through countless roadblocks in the plan. Our Board President, Lee Larson, and Director of Development, Carrie Becker have also put in so many hours working on this project and helping to keep it moving forward. All this to say, it truly takes a village and we are so grateful for our village.
This building has been an eye-sore in Barre for many years. It’s a beautiful opportunity for us to be able to restore this historic building and bring it back to life. We can’t wait to share it with the community when it’s finished. This project feels pretty symbolic of recovery. Often folks in active addiction become a drain on the community, but if we invest in them, they can turn things around and become beautiful, contributing members of the community once again. 💜
