By Nate Jones

Staff Writer 

For six years, Scarborough resident Mary Reno worked her way up the ladder of an agency that provided services for adults with developmental disabilities. A single mother of six children, some looking at going to college and others still in grade school, Reno said her career not only provided financial stability for her family, but satisfaction for her as well.

“I absolutely loved it,” she said. 

A visit to the doctor in 2006 changed everything, she said.

“I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma [a form of cancer] and within a week I was in surgery,” Reno said. “It happened so fast my head was spinning.”

Reno’s attempts to continue working led to medical complications that she said eventually required her to go on long-term disability while undergoing chemotherapy. Before long, Reno was without a job, receiving food stamps from Department of Human Services and trying to turn a cluttered garage into some extra spending money.

 “I had a bunch of things I had inherited over the years and picked up, so I started listing them on eBay,” Reno said. “It was, by far, the worst financial situation I had ever been in.”

Reno turned to Scarborough’s Project G.R.A.C.E. early on for assistance, and said many of the volunteers went “above and beyond” their duties by delivering supplies, doing laundry and providing transportation to and from school for Reno’s children. 

“People were coming out of the woodwork,” she said. “There are so many people, even in a town like Scarborough, that are so willing to help others in need.”

With Project G.R.A.C.E.’s assistance, Reno was able to keep her head above water financially, but being physically unable to work took an emotional toll, she said. Even after the treatments she said she still has three “hot spots” and could require therapy again.

“It was very tough. I feel like I can operate at 50 percent after the cancer, and I’m an independent type of person,” she said. “It’s not easy to admit you need help.”

Last year, Project G.R.A.C.E. volunteer and local business owner Sam Kelley said driving members of the organization decided to single out a community member to help overcome a financial crisis.

“We wanted to find somebody we could really help get back on their feet,” he said. “To go off food stamps and become ineligible for other [assistance] programs is a tremendous task.”

Little did Reno know her limited experience selling knick knacks from her garage in online auctions would inspire Project G.R.A.C.E. to back her idea for a new business and form a board of directors solely to support her new venture. 

“I sat down with Sam and gave him my pitch, then he gave me his,” she said. 

Kelley said Reno’s concept for “HG Merchandise Brokers” – an online selling agent for business owners – was attractive since it required “virtually no overhead” and was something Reno could do from home. 

“We made it clear it wouldn’t work with small items because you’d have to sell thousands just to make a profit,” Kelley said. “So we looked into business equipment.”

With assistance from Kelley and her Project G.R.A.C.E. board of directors, Reno spent six months establishing her reputation as a resale agent and is now conducting business with companies across the globe. Even in an economic downturn, the resale business helps business owners turn equipment into capital, she said. 

“The advice and ideas have been phenomenal,” she said. “The [sky’s] the limit, hopefully this can be something I’ll leave to my kids.”

Reno said a portion of her commission from each sale is donated to Project G.R.A.C.E.; just one of the ways she’s willing to give back to the organization and community that is helping her become “an independent woman” once again. Reno said she will continue to volunteer and donate money to the program after she is financially independent again.

“I’m always willing to talk to people who are having trouble,” she said. “It helps to know there are other people out there who have been through the same thing.”

For more information on Reno’s services email MaryReno.hgmb@yahoo.com. To apply for assistance through Project G.R.A.C.E. or their new home heating and food assistance program “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” call 883-5111 or visit www.projectgracemaine.org.