Maine’s domestic violence resource centers, such as Next Step Domestic Violence Project, Spruce Run WomanCare Alliance, and Safe Voices, provide 24-hour help-hotlines, referral and information, emergency shelter and transitional housing, court advocacy, support and education groups, and outreach, community education and youth-school based education to people affected by domestic abuse in all 16 counties in Maine.
Bangor Savings Bank Foundation donates $100,000 to Maine-based nonprofit organizations throughout the state each year through its Community Matters More campaign. The campaign is an opportunity for people in Maine to show support for nonprofits doing important work in Maine.
This year, the ballot includes three domestic violence organizations, resource centers that provide critical support and services to victims and survivors of abuse and violence, as well as community education, training, and consultation on domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and dating violence.
Maine’s domestic violence resource centers do comparable work and share the mission to ultimately end abuse and violence in the home. They form a coalition of Maine advocates and educators and participate in national efforts to say “No More” to domestic violence.
Each person who votes in in the campaign has three votes. It would be powerful show of support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse in Maine for all three nominated domestic violence resource centers to receive the recognition and funding that comes through a Community Matters More award. The centers ask voters to vote a “straight ticket” to end domestic abuse in Maine.
To vote, go to https://www.bangor.com/Community-Support/Community-Matters-More/Voting.aspx. Voting deadline is 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28.
For information, contact Kelly Brown, community education coordinator, Next Step, at 667-0176 or kbrown@nextstepdvproject.org.