Many of the Finding Our Voices survivors breaking the silence of domestic abuse across Maine, with their faces and quotes on posters and bookmarks, gathered in March for the nonprofit organization’s three-year anniversary exhibit at the Camden Public Library. Front from left are Eliza, Alison, Patrisha and Hannah. Back from left are Rebekah, Kate, Eve, Mary Lou, Courtney, Amy, Maegan, Jeannine, Amanda, Kali, Sarah, Betsy and Mel. Anna Finnochio photo
Finding Our Voices, a grassroots nonprofit organization marshaling survivor voices to break the silence of domestic abuse, has been awarded $10,000 by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation.
The grant is earmarked for the Get Out Stay Out Fund, which empowers women to get out and stay out of dangerous intimate partner situations, and get and keep their children safe as well, according to a news release from the organization.
This Finding Our Voices fund was seeded in 2021 by the Sunshine Lady Foundation, and in less than a year has disbursed $40,000 to Maine domestic violence victims for items like first and last month’s rent, car repairs, storage unit fees, utility bills, work certification, gas, clothes and groceries.
Patrisha McLean, president/founder of Finding Our Voices said, “The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation values programs that support systems that work, and changes systems that don’t; nurtures new ways of thinking and working; and supports individuals and community empowerment. I can’t think of a better way to describe what we are doing, community by community all across Maine, and it is a true honor to now be supported by and aligned with this foundation in such a meaningful way.”
“A chief way that domestic abusers keep their victims trapped and terrorized is by controlling the finances,” McLean added. “This generous grant from the Sewall Foundation will help women and children all across Maine cross over to the side of safety and freedom.”
For more information, visit findingourvoices.net and sewallfoundation.org.
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