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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 2 3 – 2 0 2 4 GIVING GUIDE Proudly Supporting Our Communities Since 1827 sbsavings.bank | (207) 284-4591 We also know that anxiety and depression is spiking among youth, and that there are not enough treat- ment programs for people with opi- ate and other substance use disor- ders. However, we can't expand our services to meet those community needs without the staff to provide treatment. With certain positions, we have gained some ground in hiring in recent months, while for others such as clinicians and nurses, we could use a stronger pipeline of qualified candidates in Maine to fill our open positions. Patrisha McLean Founder and president of Finding Our Voices A 'massive gap' for services, programs and money e most significant challenge for Finding Our Voices as a grassroots nonprofit is trying to fill the massive gap in Maine for services, programs and money for victims of the domes- tic violence epidemic that is raging in plain sight all around us. Our bold survivor-powered out- reach campaigns including posters featuring my photo portraits of 45 Maine survivors, including Gov. Janet Mills, is uncovering more and more women and children whose lives are blighted and in danger through a justice system tilted to the perpetra- tor and assistance including free legal services that is a drop in the bucket to the desperate need. Finding Our Voices is racing to fill the yawning gap, including with online support groups, pro bono den- tal care, and a Get Out Stay Out fund that has disbursed $60,000 this past year for emergency shelter, car, legal and food needs. But everyone has got to wake up to the emergency of domestic violence in Maine, galvanizing action as with the opioid epidemic and just as for the veterans of foreign wars, prioritiz- ing assistance for the child and women veterans of wars going on in bedrooms and kitchens all around us, including free treatment for PTSD! J. Craig Anderson, a freelance writer, can be reached at editorial @ mainebiz.biz Everybody has got to wake up to the emergency of domestic violence in Maine. — Patrisha McLean Finding Our Voices PH OTO / C OU R TES Y OF FI NDI NG OU R VOI C ES Patrisha McLean of Finding Our Voices