The Augusta Recovery Reentry Center is a project currently spearheaded exclusively by the Maine Reentry Network. MERN began in 2017 when its founder, Bruce Noddin was volunteering for Catholic Charities facilitating Bible study sessions for people in the Androscoggin County Jail. He asked if any services were being provided to people post-release, and the response was “Nothing at the moment…why don’t you start something?” Mr. Noddin eagerly picked up the thrown gauntlet and created what has become the premiere organization in the state to guarantee that no incarcerated Mainer has to experience the hurdles of community reintegration alone. As a man in long-term recovery himself, Mr. Noddin and the MERN board eagerly accepted the challenge of creating a center in Augusta that expanded the organization’s focus to include not just those returning from physical prisons, but also the very real psychological and physiological prisons of addiction and substance abuse disorder.
The ARRC works in collaboration with The Career Center, to assist with job searches and access to educational opportunities. We also collaborate with Eastern Maine Development Corporation, to assist with access to employment and educational opportunities.
We are a tier 2 Narcan distributor, we also have wound care kits on hand, which are supplied by Maine General.
We work in collaboration with Maine General to provide on-site education and testing for HIV, Hepatitis, and Covid. They also hold Covid vaccine clinics, and can provide Narcan training, on site, at the center. They can also provide you with access to PREP (to help prevent the spread of HIV in high risk individuals.)
Maine Family Planning also provides HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infection testing (peace of mind testing) and low barrier access to birth control options, as well as education. The ARRC always has access to free condoms and other harm reduction items.
Maine Reentry Network and The ARRC work together to provide peer recovery coaches to our community and we also offer Recovery Coaches and Peer Supports at the center.
The ARRC has a computer lab that can be used for education, telemedicine, employment searches and resume writing, housing searches, and any other uses that can help our members in their journey.
Hours of Operation
Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Monday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM