Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence

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Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence

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We advocate for the right of all people to live free from domestic abuse and all forms of violence. MCEDV was founded in 1977.

In addition to our statewide office, our coalition today is comprised of eight local domestic violence resource centers, which provide 24-hour services to people impacted by abuse in all corners of our state, and the Immigrant resource Center of Maine, which provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services for New Mainers. We work closely with our member organizations and other community partners to increase safety for people impacted by domestic violence, and to hold batterers accountable. MCEDV provides training, education, technical assistance, and policy development in order to improve the capacity of systems in our state to respond effectively to domestic violence.

11/02/2026

Thank you to Governor Janet Mills for attending our Champions of Change Awards ceremony on Friday, and for announcing a $25,000 contribution from her State contingent account to MCEDV's Liberation Fund, which provides direct financial assistance to survivors and their children in Maine.

We are so grateful to our community for coming together for another Champions of Change Awards. This year, we honored Taylor Kilgore, Esq.; Johnnie Walker, director of housing & shelter services at MCEDV member Partners for Peace; and CDC public health nurses Celia Demos and Jessica Duma – Mainers who have made significant contributions to the health and safety of survivors and their children in Maine.

Watch the recap below:

The fund helps survivors leaving abusive homes with expenses including children’s clothing, gas and security cameras.

10/28/2026

Every dollar donated to MCEDV's Liberation Fund goes directly to those surviving. Your donation helps to directly lift fears, and start the path to survivorship.

Fund Safety. Donate to the Liberation Fund Today: https://tinyurl.com/LiberationFund

10/26/2026

MCEDV's Housing Program Director, Hanna Gregory, attended MaineHousing's Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance Program (ESHAP) Navigator Training last week alongside residential advocates from all eight of MCEDV's regional Domestic Violence Resource Centers (DVRCs).

MCEDV presented alongside Hannah Harter-Ives from New Hope Midcoast, Mandi Gearhart from Partners for Peace, and Bonnie Gagnon from Caring Unlimited on the services that Maine's DVRCs provide. MaineHousing presented awards to two of MCEDV's member programs. NextStep Domestic Violence Project received the ESHAP Award for excellence in programmatic compliance, and Safe Voices received the ESHAP award for excellence in organizational leadership.

MCEDV's shelter network operates 12 emergency shelters for survivors and their children who are fleeing domestic abuse and violence, and Safe Voices operates the only emergency shelter specific to victims of s*x trafficking and s*xual exploitation in Maine.

10/23/2026

MCEDV Executive Director Francine Garland Stark and Words From the Woods CEO Meranne Behrends appeared on WGME yesterday to discuss financial abuse and the Liberation Collection, a limited-edition Sea Bags tote and cosmetic case, of which 25% - 30% of proceeds will benefit MCEDV's Liberation Fund, which provides direct financial support to domestic abuse survivors and their children in Maine.

The Liberation Collection is available now for pre-sale through December 31. Order before October 31 to ensure delivery by the holidays.

Pre-order the Liberation Collection: https://www.mcedv.org/meet-the-liberation-collection-giving-survivors-a-second-chance/

Watch the interview:
https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-coalition-to-end-domestic-violence-aims-to-raise-awareness-funds-through-sea-bags

Donate directly to the Liberation Fund: https://www.mcedv.org/fund-safety/

10/22/2026

How does domestic violence impact children? MCEDV's family services director Erika Simonson answers this commonly asked question.

If you or someone you know needs help, advocates are available 24/7/365. Call the Statewide Domestic Abuse Helpline: 1-866-834-4357. Deaf or Hard of Hearing? 1-800-437-1220.

Learn more: mcedv.org

10/22/2026

The Maine Prosecutors Association and the Maine Association of Victim Witness Advocates wore purple to support domestic violence survivors and their children in Bar Harbor at the Maine Prosecutors Association Annual Conference. We're grateful for their show of support!

10/20/2026

Most people don’t realize domestic abuse is a financial matter. Donating to the Liberation Fund means you’re funding things like clothing for children who’ve escaped an unsafe home, security cameras to keep unwanted visitors out, and gas in the tank to drive away for the last time. Every dollar donated to The Liberation Fund goes directly to those surviving.

Fund Safety. Donate to the Liberation Fund Today: https://tinyurl.com/LiberationFund

10/19/2026

"Abusers often control finances and accumulate debt — sometimes without their partner’s knowledge. They frequently sabotage transportation, childcare, or education, making it difficult to work, leaving their partner without money and unable to access credit. Separating is expensive, because it involves rebuilding the basics of life essentially from scratch."

MCEDV Executive Director Francine Garland Stark was interviewed by Mainebiz about the financial toll of domestic violence and our Fund Safety campaign and recent collaboration with Sea Bags to create the Liberation Collection, of which 25%-30% of proceeds will benefit the Liberation Fund. MCEDV's Liberation Fund, founded in 2020, provides direct financial assistance to survivors.

Learn more: mcedv.org/fund-safety

Read the MaineBiz interview: https://mainebiz.biz/article/maine-branding-experts-still-digesting-wildness-soccer-name/

10/19/2026

“One of the most common things that we hear is that when a survivor talks to their family or talks to their coworkers about what's happening to them, what the family and coworkers often think is: 'Why don't you just leave?' One of the parts of the answer to that question is, 'How can I? How can I? How do I afford to live?'” – MCEDV Executive Director Francine Garland Stark

Francine Garland Stark spoke with NEWS CENTER Maine about collaborating with Sea Bags on the Liberation Collection, from which a percentage of proceeds will go to MCEDV's Liberation Fund, which provides direct financial support to survivors.

This October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, please consider making a donation to the Liberation Fund, or show your support by ordering from the Liberation Collection for a tangible reminder of the importance of supporting survivors in reclaiming and rebuilding their lives.

The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence has partnered with Sea Bags to create a collection that will fund efforts to aid domestic violence survivors.

Address

PO Box 5188
Augusta, ME
04332

Website

http://www.mcedv.org/

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