Newsletter: December, 2023
A Word from Our Executive Director
Holiday Greetings from Everyone at New Hope Midcoast!
As 2023 winds down, we are grateful for many things. Here’s a few:
- In our 2023 fiscal year (October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023), our trained advocates provided direct service for 1,555 clients, 3010 shelter nights, and prevention and education services for 5,758 individuals.
- Vera Rand Roberts, New Hope’s Board President, recently received a SpotLight Award through Camden National Bank. The award honors nonprofit board members who “demonstrate innovative thinking and outstanding governance to advance their organization’s mission and impact.”
- We initiated two new educational initiatives. Our local communities can learn more about the impact of domestic abuse in their local communities through Roundtable Discussions and, our annual Speaker Series brings timely talks to our coverage area.
- Our staff is now working diligently on all aspects of our new strategic plan. Stay tuned as we implement several pieces over the next few years.
New Hope Midcoast believes that a life free from abuse is a fundamental human right and works to build a culture that will not tolerate domestic abuse. We support people as they create pathways to safety and educate and empowering our communities to support a more just and effective response to domestic violence and abuse.
We are thankful to all of you who support our mission through your gifts of time and money.
Warm wishes for this holiday season,
Rebekah Paredes, Executive Director
Annual Appeal
Our annual appeal supports comprehensive services that range from our 24/7 helpline to housing for survivors of domestic abuse. Your donation helps to create safer communities for everyone. Please click here to donate https://newhopemidcoast.org/join-us/donate/ and be sure to contact or (207) 691.5969 for assistance. Thank you for your consideration.
Residential Program
New Hope just completed our fall volunteer and staff training. We added four new volunteers to our team who will be supporting our agency by covering our round-the -clock helpline during overnight and weekend shifts. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our website at https://newhopemidcoast.org/join-us/volunteer-options/ for more information or to submit an application.
Prevention and Education
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time when victim advocates, allied professionals, survivors of abuse, their loved ones, and the surrounding community come together to mourn the lives lost to domestic violence, celebrate the progress that has been made to end this epidemic, and connect with others working to create change activities. New Hope Community Advocates offered the following during DVAM, 2023:
- Rising Tide’s Co-Op for Community Days: We had an advocate present each Wednesday with .5% of sales on these days was donated to NHM
- Pumpkinfest in Damariscotta where are our advocates represented New Hope’s missin and work: New Hope’s Community Prevention Educators
- Naughty Bits https://www.rocklandstrand.com/event/naughty-bits-sara-juli at Rockland’s Strand Theater: Adv and participation on the panel held after the movie
- An Empty Place at the Table: A poignant and thought-provoking reminder of those who have died as a result of domestic abuse, this presentation circulated to contemplative locations including Topsham Public Library, the Belfast Free Library, and Skidompha Public Library
Legal Advocacy
Our Legal Advocacy Team recently:
- Provided trainings on non-fatal strangulation for Islesboro Public Safety/Emergency Medical Technicians and the staff at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. These trainings, provided in collaboration with the Regional Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners Program Coordinator, are designed to help professionals understand the danger of non-fatal strangulation, learn the basic dynamics of domestic abuse, and increase advocacy for high-risk victims across all disciplines.
- Attended the Maine Victim Assistance Academy at which advocates from many different agencies join together over the course of several months to build skills and to strengthen relationships.
- Worked diligently to build and bolster our Pet Safe-Home program. New Hope has great collaboration from community partners and looks forward to being able to institute this program that offers a much-needed resource for survivors and their pets.
Become a Volunteer
We are looking for volunteers to assist with clerical work and events throughout the year. Clerical work includes assistance with preparing our annual appeal, petitioning on election day at various towns within our coverage area, and other development work as needed. Event work includes set up and take down of events as well as assistance both before and during events. Please contact Joan at or (207) 691.5969 if interested. Thank you!
In the News
Where Does Safety Reside: The intersection of domestic violence and mass shootings
Recent events in Lewiston, coupled with the number of clients served by Maine’s Regional Domestic Violence Resource Centers, highlight the need to take another look at the link between domestic abuse and mass shootings. According to the Institute of Labor Economics, more than 2,300 people in the United States have been victims of mass shootings over the past four decades. These tragic events have significant societal costs; they negatively impact a community’s well-being, emotional health, and economic prosperity. Consequences ripple widely, affecting individuals well beyond those who are immediately exposed. 2,6
Click here https://newhopemidcoast.org/where-does-safety-reside/ to continue reading “Where Does Safety Reside.”