Some of those experiencing homelessness in Midcoast Maine are survivors of domestic violence. Homeworthy and Finding Our Voices are partnering to bring more help, and faster, to our area's most vulnerable families. 

Finding Our Voices (FOV), the grassroots and statewide nonprofit providing support to its sister-survivors of domestic violence, gave a grant of $20,000 from its Get Out Stay Out Fund late last year to Homeworthy for disbursement to its women clients who are homeless due to domestic abuse.  

"Because of the low barrier nature of these funds," said Molly Feeney, executive director of Homeworthy which provides homeless services across Knox, Waldo, and Lincoln counties, "our case workers are able to deploy critical resources swiftly and continue to focus their energy on supporting individuals and families." 

Homeworthy reports that this grant provided security devices outside one domestic abuse survivor's bedroom windows and for another, medication to replace what an abuser stole in the run-up to his arrest for domestic violence. 

A woman client of Homeworthy fleeing domestic abuse who was provided funding from the FOV Get Out Stay Out grant for a car repair and car insurance reported that, "it helped relieve the stress of wondering how to keep my car going so that I could focus on my son's school and my work."  

FOV also collaborates with Homeworthy through its Finding Our Smiles program of donated dental care, with a total of $20,391.00 worth of pro-bono treatment from local dentists to seven Homeworthy clients. And Homeworthy clients receiving a Get Out Stay Out microgrant are also told by caseworkers about Finding Our Voices' other services including their online support group that is in its fifth year and brings together an average of 18 women survivors from across Maine every week.

"During a moment in time when families are struggling to stay afloat, and maintain a semblance of safety and security," said Feeney,  "it is more important than ever that organizations like Homeworthy and Finding our Voices work together to protect and support our neighbors. For some neighbors it is offering the support of a security deposit, or connection to life changing dental services, and for others it is introducing them to the survivor sisterhood, where so many reclaim their agency and hope for a safe and healthy future."

Finding Our Voices CEO and Founder Patrisha McLean said her group is grateful for the "wholehearted" collaboration with Homeworthy. "Molly and her team are 100 percent responsive to our reach-outs on behalf of women domestic abuse survivors needing emergency shelter, and they also pitch in with everything from diapers to clothes and furniture."

Finding Our Voices is the grassroots and survivor-powered nonprofit breakiing the silence of domestic abuse, including in schools. Its services for Maine women domestic abuse survivors include financial assistance through its Get Out Stay Out Fund that in 2024 disbursed $140,000.00 across Maine, a Children's Fund, access to donated dental care, an online support group, and Healing Together retreats. For more information visit https://findingourvoices.net