Finding Our Voices

08/30/2026

Wow was there a lot to talk about at the Finding Our Voices discussion around "Big Little Lies" at the Thomas Memorial Library yesterday. Thanks to my peeps for showing up and contributing eye- opening insights, and to Rachel Davis and the library for hosting us.

My copy of the book and Mary Lou's were filled with a record number of post-it notes, but Mary Lou's were a lot neater!

Excited to be bringing another talk about this book, and also the sequel Big Little Truths, to Camden October 29 with The Tiny Bookshop - Used Books, at the Hartstone Inn !

08/27/2026

Finding Our Voices is now responding to an average of six reach outs a day, disbursing $4,000 A WEEEK in critical aid to survivors, mostly for shelter, car expenses, and legal help, but also storage unit fees, overdue utility bills, and gift cards for food.

Here is feedback just in from an advocate for patient health, one of the countless referral partners across Maine with whom we collaborate to bring life-saving and life-changing resources to women domestic abuse survivors.

A gentle (as Mary Lou Smith says) hug to all of our donors who make this possible, and also to our small but mighty admin team of me, Mary Kamradt, Sandra Ghelman, Jane Kurko, and Tara Barker.

"Finding our Voices was a light in the middle of a lot of darkness for my client. Their willingness to intervene and assist my client in the best way they could was above and beyond what we expected. They were genuinely interested in my clients needs, and were quick to respond and provide tangible and practical help.

"Finding our Voices provided $500 in a food gift card that allowed my client to purchase food within her allergy restrictions and get the proper nourishment, and provided her with gas cards to help pay for her relocation to Texas.

"They are ACTUALLY helping victims of domestic violence. They are active and proactive. They are using their funds well and wisely and helping survivors break through."

Please share this post!

08/19/2026

Above headline from the New York Times update.

In 2021 he was reportedly charged with SEVEN felony counts evidently stemming from his violence against Hayden including injuring a girlfriend, assault, dissuading a witness from prosecuting a crime. He was convicted of two domestic violence charges in what surely was a sweetheart plea deal and sentenced to only 45 days in jail.

He violated probation in 2022. Why was he not sent back to prison?!?!

As Hayden herself said "Getting an abusive person out of your life is like trying to rip a w**d out that is so entangled into your life."

Abusers have endless ways of luring back their victims. They are devious and highly manipulative.

The only way to ensure the safety of the victims and unsuspecting women in the dating pool is to keep violent domestic abusers behind bars!

08/19/2026

So excited to be partnering again with Thomas Memorial Library and coming back to beautiful Cape Elizabeth.

Join our picnic book discussion Saturday August 29, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., days after the release of the sequel to this bestseller turned into a hit HBO series.

Topics will include secrets hiding in plain sight, and how to best help a friend or sister or daughter or mother going through domestic abuse.

Free and open to the public, but please register here and hope to see you there! https://thomas-me.whofi.com/calendar/event/439336?method=embed

08/17/2026

In the New York Times article about the heartbreaking death of 36 year old actress Hayden Panettiere, why is domestic abuse not mentioned in the subhead with the short list of traumas she experienced in her life, and not referenced at all until paragraph 19?

Hayden's ex-boyfriend was sentenced to 45 days in jail for domestic violence, according to Variety magazine. In Hayden's memoir, she evidently wrote that he "busts up my face so badly I don't leave the house for weeks" and smashed her head against a wall. E-News reported in 2021 they were spotted dancing together after his release from jail.

Domestic abuse is everywhere and the media soft-pedaling and burying it is surely a factor in why it IS everywhere.

Rest in peace, dear Hayden.

08/15/2026

Mark your calendars for Saturday September 19 on Sea Street in Camden, and thank you Stephen P. Huyler, Author and Hi (and Trina and Christine's Framing Gallery for helping to organize this epic event) so very much!

08/14/2026

Celebrating what would have been Sunny's 50th birthday with Erja on Crawford Pond in Union, where the ray of sunshine in the lives of so many was brutally killed last July while paddleboarding, and 17 year old Deven Young charged with her murder.

Still to be determined is whether Young will be tried as a juvenile or adult.

Important to keep watching this case and clamoring for justice for Sunshine "Sunny" Stewart and the safety and freedom of free-spirted, adventurous women everywhere!

Midcoast Villager 18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill Penobscot Bay Pilot

08/10/2026

Wow to how this honor from Mainebiz will shine a light in Maine's business community to the domestic abuse that is all around us, stymieing and staunching women from being all they can be.

I started Finding Our Voices when I was 60 years old.

To all my sisters out there who are still trapped in domestic abuse, thinking they are too old to start over, or that they can't make it on their own, think again.

Read about my journey here:
https://mainebiz.biz/honoree/outstanding-women-in-business-patrisha-mclean-gives-survivors-a-voice-and-the-resources-to-rebuild/

08/09/2026

Next Finding Our Voices Healing Together retreat is September 21 in Wells, nature journaling with Rebekah Lowell💛🦋, register through the events page of our website!

Twenty-two women survivors of domestic abuse gathered in a coastal paradise in Brooksville on July 11 for a daylong Healing Together retreat hosted by Finding Our Voices, the grassroots Maine nonprofit and sisterhood.

08/07/2026

Last weekend to win this gorgeous 24" stool, handcrafted for Finding Our Voices with maple and ash wood and painted in historic milk yellow.

$20 a ticket gives you the chance to own this super comfy work of art valued at $790.00 with all proceeds benefitting our grassroots nonprofit and local domestic abuse survivors and their children.

Stop by Windsor Chairmakers in Lincolnville before Sunday at 4 pm to buy your tickets, cash or check, and at the same time take in the town's weekend Art Fest.

And while you are there please thank the owners Mike and Jana Timchak who have so generously hosted these very special raffle fundraisers for us three summers in a row.😌🤩👏💛

Lincolnville Arts Fest shoplocalmaine Mainebiz Maine Crafts Association Center for Furniture Craftsmanship