After two years with Project GRACE, Hope Taggart is resigning from her position as executive director. Through donations and the work of volunteers, the Scarborough-based nonprofit assists members of the community meet their basic needs with groceries, holiday food baskets, clothing and cleaning supplies. Taggart, 35, a Scarborough resident and mother of two, sat down with The Current last week to talk about her experience at Project GRACE and her plans for the future.

Q: Why did you get involved with Project GRACE?

A: I got started two years ago when my son was headed to preschool and I was looking for a part-time position. The administrative assistant position was open, and within five months I was asked to be executive director.

Q: What are your primary tasks as executive director?

A: Oh, my goodness, summing this up is a joke and a half. It’s basically managing the volunteers and direction of the organization, ensuring that the mission of Project GRACE is carried out. I oversee all of the committees – fundraising being the big one – and managing the volunteers in every event or project that we have going on.

Q: What is the mission of Project GRACE?

A: Our mission statement is “to improve the lives of our neighbors by identifying both those in need and those willing to share their gifts and coordinating the interchange in a compassionate, confidential manner.” It’s really neighbors helping neighbors – people who want to give back to the community they live in. People are surprised in Scarborough how many people are struggling. There are very generous people in the community who want to give back. Sometimes it’s just giving time, and it makes a huge difference.

Q: What projects is the organization working on now?

A: Right now, we’re focusing on back-to-school. We provide fully stocked backpacks to children of families in Scarborough that we’ve worked with. Last year, we provided 64 backpacks. What we decided to do this year is not only provide new backpacks, but new sneakers, underclothing – if they need new pants, new shirts. We understand the importance of a child’s self-esteem going back to school. They just want to have what the other kids have. Before that, there’s Summerfest. We have our own little mini-carnival at Summerfest. We have balloon twisting, the big slide, pulled pork sandwiches, hot fudge sundaes, ring toss and Race for GRACE. Local businesses sponsor game pieces for the racing game. In the fall, we’re having our first trivia extravaganza. Then, the holidays will fall shortly after that.

Q: Where did you work before Project GRACE?

A: I stayed home with my kids for a while. That’s why I took this job. It’s 25 hours a week. There are days that you’re in the office. Then, there are days I go to Preble Street Resource Center. I go to the teen center. I go to Scarborough Rotary and give a talk there. You can decide whether you want to be in the office or out of the office. There’s a lot of flexibility. I do a lot of recruiting volunteers. The “people person” kind of personality is good. The volunteers I’ve met are literally amazing. They give so much of their time. Their hearts are poured into every decision they make. They’re here because they want ot be here.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

A: Every day I leave this job knowing I have given something back to the community – whether it’s a child that needs a winter coat and hat dropped off at school or helping out with a payment for new eyeglasses or making a particularly tough week for a family a little easier by helping out with groceries. There’s not a day I leave here that I don’t feel like the organization has made a difference in somebody’s life.

Q: Why are you leaving?

A: My kids are a couple years older now. My oldest is at Wentworth Intermediate, and my son is at Blue Point. The secretary position opened up at Wentworth. It allows me to be with them. Over the last two years, I’ve looked at the reality of life. I think it’s really important for parents these days to be involved, and that’s how I’m going to do it. There was no plan to leave. It just happened.

Q: Are you going to miss the work you do at Project GRACE?

A: I am. It’s been really tough to let people know about my change in careers. There’s really nothing negative about this job. I’ve met some great people in the community – donors, volunteers, teachers and nurses in the school system. I have 14 board members that I report to that have been so supportive. I’ll miss working closely with them, as well. We’ve had some pretty sad stories. You really have to have a sense of humor to keep it going. You really have ot be fond of each other. That’s something that I’ll miss a lot – the relationships.

Q: Do you think you’ll come back and help out?

A: I’m sure. After Summerfest, I’ll definitely take a break to get used to my new job, but I’m sure it won’t be long before I’ll show up at a general committee meeting.

Q: Do you have any advice for whoever takes over for you?

A: Really, to come in with a huge, open heart, because if it’s not a volunteer that makes your day, it’s a thank-you note from a recipient. It can bring tears to your eyes. I think when everybody starts the first couple months you sit through those meetings, and you get really teary-eyed.

Q: How has your work with Project GRACE changed you?

A: I think I’ve always been a very giving person anyway. I think my kids have really benefited from me being here. Their lives have changed. They’re 9 and 6, and I don’t think they’ll forget all that we’ve done.

Q&A with Hope Taggart – Leaving Project GRACE ‘just happened’