In 1981, a handful of survivors of domestic violence started an organization they called New Hope for Women. Ten hotline volunteers offered support to those experiencing domestic violence in Knox County. The agency officially became a nonprofit on August 18, 1981, and hired a part-time director. By 1982, the hotline was fully staffed, allowing victims and concerned others to reach an advocate round-the-clock. At its founding, it was one of six domestic violence projects in Maine. 

New Hope for Women joined the statewide Maine Coalition for Family Crisis Services in 1983 and merged with the Lincoln County Domestic Violence Coalition to more effectively serve victims in the Midcoast. Over the next few decades, the organization continued to grow and change, expanding to cover Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties. In 2021, the agency changed its name to New Hope Midcoast to reflect the diversity of people it serves, including gender, sexual orientation, race, age and economic status.

New Hope Midcoast’s history parallels state and federal responses to domestic abuse, dating violence and stalking. As laws in Maine and the U.S. increasingly recognized the tremendous impact of gender-based violence, New Hope Midcoast expanded its services. The former hotline, now called a helpline, remains the backbone of the agency today. Trained staff and volunteers support callers with safety planning, in which survivors can explore options to increase their safety based on their own needs and hopes for the future. 

Survivor and community needs also guided the creation of New Hope’s core residential, legal and educational programs. Access to safe and affordable housing is one of the primary barriers to finding safety after experiencing abuse. This understanding forms the basis of our residential services program. We help survivors find emergency sheltering options and also offer a transitional housing program where individuals and families work with staff to achieve long-term safety and stability.

Legal advocacy at New Hope Midcoast includes support with managing the criminal and civil legal systems, as well as a liaison program with Child Protective Services. Although advocates don’t provide legal advice, they offer guidance and answer general questions about legal matters such as custody, divorce, Protection from Abuse and Protection from Harassment orders. In addition, our community and legal advocates can accompany survivors to court to provide emotional support. Our law enforcement advocates help survivors navigate the criminal legal system, including completing reports about the abuse they’ve experienced. New Hope Midcoast has a specially trained advocate who acts as a liaison at the Department of Health and Human Services to advocate for the safety of protective parents and their children while holding the perpetrators of domestic violence accountable. All of these legal advocacy services improve how the criminal, civil and child protective systems respond to survivors.

Community prevention educators provide free information to increase awareness of domestic abuse, dating violence and stalking. We engage our communities in discussions about the widespread impact of domestic abuse and how best to respond. New Hope Midcoast strives to coordinate a consistent and helpful response to domestic violence across our community by providing a range of training to all who are interested. Youth educators deliver presentations to students about safety and respect within relationships; the signs of dating violence; and how to reach out for support.

Since 1981, New Hope Midcoast has provided over 18,300 shelter nights and served more than 32,000 clients. From working with individuals, schools, hospitals and law enforcement to raising awareness through community events, New Hope Midcoast continues to be a dynamic organization that connects victim-survivors with the services they need.

To help honor 45 years of standing with survivors, the public is invited to one of the organization’s celebratory events, held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath and Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland. Event attendees may choose to write a message for survivors on our Tree of Hope, symbolizing resilience and unity.

New Hope Midcoast is one of Maine’s regional Domestic Violence Resource Centers and a member of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. Serving Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties, the nonprofit organization supports people impacted by domestic abuse, dating violence and stalking through housing and legal advocacy, education and prevention programs, and a 24/7 helpline.