Newsletter: June 2026
A Note from Our Executive Directors
We are thrilled to welcome Peg Drisko, Ph.D., as our incoming executive director!
With a passion for results and positive change, Peg joins us July 1 from the Ecumenical Social Action Committee in Boston, Mass., where she currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer. A strategic innovator with over 25 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and management, Peg is dedicated to addressing housing and homelessness challenges, food insecurity and trauma-informed care. She is skilled in program design, development, evaluation, comprehensive fundraising to secure vital federal, state and private funding, and services and advocacy tailored for vulnerable populations.
Peg holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy Studies, has taught at various universities, and has held several significant roles at leading organizations directly combating income inequality, homelessness and other social issues. She has family in Maine and has owned a home in Boothbay Harbor for many years. She is thrilled to make Maine her full-time home and to connect more deeply with our communities.
"The NHM Board and staff are excited to have Peg join us and to have her depth of experience benefit our organization and Midcoast communities," said Sarah Post, Board President.
We invite you to meet Peg July 16-18 at Shop for Hope 2026 and our 45th anniversary celebrations in Bath and Rockland in August. Please read on for more information about these opportunities and our recent work.
Welcome, Peg, and happy summer to all!
Hannah Harter-Ives and Erin Young
Acting Co-Executive Directors
Development
Shop for Hope 2026 is Coming to the Flanagan Center July 16-18!
Here are some ways you can make this a fun, community event:
- Volunteer for one or more 3-4-hr shifts from July 13-19. Contact Joan at (207) 691.5969 or for the shift schedule.
- Shop and bring friends!
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- For first and best selection, shop on VIP Night, Thursday, July 16 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tickets are required and may be purchased here.
- Community Shopping Days are Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admittance is free for everyone!
We are honoring 45 years of serving Midcoast Maine Survivors!
Please join us!
July: Rockland Public Library and Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta
Thursday, August 27 at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland
Offer words of support and encouragement for survivors or share a wish for our communities about a future free from abuse on our Tree of Hope, a symbol of survivor strength and resilience.
Rebuilding Lives, Our Spring Matching Challenge
Our matching challenge raised $71,000+ for victims of domestic abuse. Thank you!
Community Matters More: Bangor Savings Bank
We are the winners of a $3,500 2026 Community Matters More grant through Bangor Savings Bank! Thank you to Bangor Savings Bank for giving back to communities in areas of greatest need and to everyone who voted for us! Survivors of domestic abuse benefit all the more when communities work together!
Agency Statistics
From January – March, 2026, New Hope Midcoast advocates:
- served 495 clients
- responded to 1,859 telephone, online, and in-person contacts
- provided court advocacy for 187 clients
- assisted clients with 30 Protection from Abuse Orders (PFAs)
- benefitted from 1,240 hours of volunteer assistance
- spent $144,873.00 on direct client assistance including rent and hoteling
Helpline
Our trained, amazing, and generous volunteers frequently respond to overnight and weekend calls. The next 44-hour helpline training for new staff and volunteers starts at the end of July and takes place over the course of several weeks.
Click here to learn more about volunteering and to complete our volunteer form. Someone on our team will contact you to share more details. Thank you!
Residential Services
Our team partners with local landlords to provide victims with safe rentals. During the second quarter of this fiscal year, January - March, 2026, we supported 35 adults and 41 children in our housing programs. We also provided 21 adults and 13 children with a total of 545 nights of emergency shelter. Four grants fund rental assistance to support victims who are homeless after fleeing domestic abuse. Affordable housing continues to be one of the biggest barriers for survivors who want to leave relationships where there is violence.
Legal Advocacy: The Importance of Close Collaboration
Improving the Criminal Justice Response Program:
$500,000 grant awarded!
We recently received a three-year, $500,000 grant through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to Improve the Criminal Justice Response (ICJR)! Written in collaboration with Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo County sheriff’s offices, this grant will fund our current Waldo and Knox County Law Enforcement Advocate (LEA) position for an additional three years. We will also hire an LEA for Sagadahoc and Lincoln Counties.
A uniquely specialized position, the LEA works with local law enforcement to advance our mission of building a culture where abuse is not tolerated by providing follow up and direct services like crisis intervention, helpline coverage, safety planning, legal advocacy, support group facilitation, referrals, and technical assistance and training for law enforcement.
We are grateful for the municipal and county law enforcement partners who worked with us to secure this grant, and are currently hiring to fill this new, three-year position.
Education
Community of Hope Articles
Please read our recent columns: “The Complex Connection Between Income Inequality and Domestic Abuse” by Community Prevention Educator, Hillary Waterman, and “The Compounding Effects of Domestic Abuse and Natural Disasters” by Joan LeMole, Development Director.