Strengthen relationships with collaborators. Build trust within our communities to become the primary source for information on the causes and impact of domestic abuse. Help advocates lead survivors toward safety and self-sufficiency.

Developed a new Strategic Plan, sent to 2,000+ constituents and available on our website (click here), to respond to the needs of our communities and develop ways to broaden and enhance how survivors and their families receive the help and support they need.

Together with the District Attorney’s Office, participated in a workshop focused on non-fatal strangulation, a known precursor to further forms of violence including homicide, with plans to hold district-wide trainings for the prosecutors’ office to increase understanding of the danger of non-fatal strangulation and develop new ways to hold offenders accountable.

Held quarterly Coordinated Community Response/Sexual Assault Response Team meetings to increase survivor safety and offender accountability, and to increase collaborations across disciplines.

Awarded $72,000+ through a Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) Grant to hire a Law Enforcement Advocate, a new position that will work with local Sheriff’s Departments to improve support for Waldo and Knox County survivors.

Hosted Round Table Discussions, and our second annual Speaker Series and participated in regional and community events like Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Pride Month to increase awareness of domestic abuse in rural areas and among historically marginalized groups.

Collaborated with the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention and the Waldo County TRIAD, a partnership of citizens, law enforcement, and other local organizations dedicated to the improvement of the safety of older Waldo County residents. Partnered with the RSU 13 Afterschool Alliance and Sagadahoc County Youth-Serving Organizations group to increase awareness of the impact of domestic abuse across the lifespan.

Hosted Creating Communities of Compassion with local partners, Homeworthy and Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO) at the Strand. This free community event featured New Hope’s newly-produced film that highlighted the stories of two New Hope survivors. The panel discussion that followed focused on the intersection of domestic abuse, homelessness, and food insecurity.

Focus on what our team needs to better support victim-survivors.

Welcomed Sarah Milstead Post of Owls Head as our new board president, along with three new board members, Cheryl Ayer and Des Fitzgerald of Rockport, and Susan Coe of Belfast.

Completed a comprehensive salary and benefits analysis for FY25 and upgraded our payroll system, critical steps in our efforts to hire and maintain a team of highly-qualified individuals.

Completed a comprehensive revision to the agency Employee Handbook to enhance internal communication and improve agency efficiency by establishing clear expectations. Catalogued and implemented a shared drive with key documents to improve staff efficiency and maintain operational consistency.

Develop unique, dynamic pathways for survivors that build trust and confidence in the process for those on the journey to safety and self-sufficiency.

Awarded a three-year $550,000+ federal grant to continue our Transitional Housing Program which provides temporary housing and support services to survivors and families experiencing homelessness and helps them find and maintain permanent housing.

Sheltered and housed dozens of families through grants from the Continuum of Care and the Office on Violence Against Women, as well as through partnerships with Community Housing of Maine and the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV).

Helped 15 families obtain Maine Housing vouchers, a crucial step to achieve stable housing.

Received a $160,000+ MaineHousing grant to provide long-term solutions, effectively disrupting the pattern of homelessness that frequently follows attempts to separate from an abuser.

Earned certification to train others to identify and respond to human trafficking.

Build a strong fundraising program through investment in technology and staff, and by increasing our fundraising footprint and board engagement.

Established an active Communications Committee to enhance relationships with area partners and to better align agency fundraising and communication plans.

Researched new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to better track and serve our constituents, to enhance marketing opportunities, and to improve management of information so that we can efficiently and effectively address domestic abuse at both local and broader levels.

Build and deliver a robust, comprehensive outreach and prevention program.

Provided several trainings on non-fatal strangulation for local law enforcement, corrections officers, and emergency medical service providers to raise awareness about abusive tactics, and to highlight the far-reaching physical and emotional consequences of abuse.

Enhanced community presence through collaborations with local stakeholders and presentations for schools, businesses and civic organizations.

Worked with the staff at the Office of Child and Family to increase their understanding of the dynamics of abuse and available resources.

Attended the Maine Youth Action Network conference where youth learn how to impact social justice issues like domestic abuse and cultivate leadership skills.

Presented at Maine's Comprehensive Sexuality Education Conference to better inform others about sexual coercion as a form of domestic abuse.

Joined the Maine Homeless Public Policy Committee where we can address the well-documented intersection of domestic abuse and homelessness.

Conducted trainings for social service and mental health providers and school employees to engage professionals in discussions about how to recognize and effectively respond to domestic abuse.

Supplied ongoing Pre-K-12 Youth Education to prevent abuse before it begins.