Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 2 6 Find a credit union near you at mainecreditunions.org Every successful business starts with someone who believed. Congratulations to Maine's Outstanding Women in Business. Maine Credit Unions are proud to support the entrepreneurs, business owners, and innovators who turn ambition into opportunity and strengthen the communities we all call home. Patrisha McLean started Finding Our Voices in 2019 as a multimedia exhibit in the Camden Public Library, with photo portraits of 14 Maine women survivors of domestic abuse who had a phone number next to them. Viewers could dial the number on their cell phone and while looking into the woman's eyes, listen to each woman tell their story. he inspiration for Finding Our Voices was the avalanche of women in McLean's hometown of Camden who let her know that they, too, had gone through domestic abuse, when the news broke of the arrest for domestic violence of McLean's then- husband, to whom she'd been married for 29 years. Some of these women she had known for three decades. One was a neighbor who designed the library space in which the Finding Our Voices exhibit ended up being held. Mainebiz: What inspired you to start Finding Our Voices in 2019? Patrisha McLean: I was deeply embar- rassed to show my face in my community in the weeks following the very public arrest. One of my first outings was a hair appointment. As I sat down, my hair- dresser Kate Chapman gently put her hand on my shoulder and said, "I've been there." It was the second part of what she said that sparked Finding Our Voices, "I've always wanted to tell my story." MB: Has the mission evolved over the years? PM: We have steadily expanded this awareness aspect, including with public rallies and extremely impactful one- and two-day survivor-powered Healthy Relationship residencies that this year brought us to 15 middle schools and high schools from Sanford to Calais. We also are now providing practical and heart- healing resources and support to women domestic abuse survivors, including Get Out Stay Out funding that has dis- tributed close to $500,000 in payments mostly for shelter, car-related expenses and legal help [along with] our donated dental care program, Finding Our Smiles. MB: For the operations of the nonprofit, how have you been able to raise funds? PM: We do not take government funding in order to remain flexible with our programs and quick with our financial assistance to survivors who need the help now. Generous individuals have been hugely impor- tant to our growth and impact, as well as foundations, and corpora- tions including Camden National Bank, First National Bank, Kennebec Savings Bank and Delta Dental. MB: The organization offers coverage for women and children who have dental issues as a result of domestic abuse. How did the program come about and how do you get dentists on board to offer free services? PM: ree years ago, I met with a sur- vivor in her early 30s who was covering her mouth when she talked and when I asked her why, she told me her teeth were rotten, and the cause was the boyfriend from whom she had just escaped, not let- ting her brush her teeth. I reached out to Dr. David Pier, who I knew socially, and asked if he would give her back her smile and he said yes. Since then, 40 dental providers have joined the cause. Many of our dentists, including oral surgeons Dr. Matt Lawler in South Portland and Dr. Rob Berube in Augusta, have actively recruited their peers to join us, and dentists also reach out on their own after news stories appear about our program. Women get jobs and promotions directly as a result of our dental program, as well as becoming more engaged moms and community members. As one of our volunteer dentists, Dr. Polly Nichols says, "the really fantastic thing about Finding Our Smiles is we are not only fixing a dental situation, we are helping to put a whole life back together." MB: You are a frequent speaker at high schools. What's your message to kids? PM: Four students aged 15 to 21 join us on a rotating basis to schools to share their story of dating abuse with their peers. eir message is: "you are not alone," "this kind of behavior is not OK" and "you deserve to be treated with respect." MB: Who is your heroine (or hero, if that applies)? PM: [Volunteer] Deb Gould's quote on her Finding Our Voices poster is: "Start with the truth of it: things will not change. Now gather your strength and your courage; move forward." My hero- ine is every woman who does this. Alexis Wells, Mainebiz Digital Editor, can be reached at awells @ mainebiz.biz T

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