DAMARISCOTTA — Finding Our Voices, the grassroots nonprofit breaking the silence of domestic abuse in Maine, invites the public to attend a free event amplifying the voices of Maine survivors of domestic abuse.

The event is set for 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Skidompha Public Library, 184 Main St.

This is the seventh stop of the Finding Our Voices fall tour that is bringing survivors to eight libraries from Millinocket to York to share their stories then lead a community conversation about the domestic abuse that is all around us, according to a news release from Patrisha McLean, president/founder of Finding Our Voices.

The seven survivors discussing emotional, physical and financial abuse, as well as the impact on children, are Mia Mantello, a therapist, Christine Buckley, owner of a framing store, and Courtney Davis, a hairdresser, all from Midcoast Maine; Mary Lou Smith, a retired first-grade teacher from Scarborough; Deb Gould, an author from Brunswick; and Ida Koller, a teacher from Lincoln County. McLean will moderate the discussion.

The morning event will also include short films and refreshments.

All the survivors in the event are featured on the Finding Our Voices posters in downtown windows and restaurant bathrooms throughout downtown Damariscotta as well as 90 other Maine downtowns.

Molly Coyle, Adult Services librarian, said Skidompha “is excited to partner with Finding Our Voices to help bring awareness to issues of domestic abuse, which — whether we are aware of it or not — affect all of us. We hope that this program empowers others to find their own voices and strengthens our community bonds as we learn more about each other’s life experiences.”

Finding Our Voices has donated to all of the libraries on its fall tour 10 books that survivors find especially helpful in their journeys to freedom and healing, including three books by survivors on the Finding Our Voices posters, “The Road to After” by Rebekah Lowell, “Household” by Deb Gould, and “Savaged to Wellness” by Melody Paul.

Business sponsors of the Skidompha Library event are Wiscasset Ford, Rising Tide Co-Op and Red’s Eats.

The next and last stop of the Finding Our Voices fall talking tour takes place the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Camden Public Library, when men will talk about growing up with domestic abuse, and breaking the cycle.

For more information and to make a donation, visit Findingourvoices.net.

 

Check out other upcoming area events!

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