NextStep Domestic Violence Project

NextStep Domestic Violence Project The Next Step Domestic Violence Project assists people in Washington and Hancock Counties, Maine. Proud member of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence.

**IMPORTANT: IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE DUE TO INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE IT MAY NOT BE SAFE TO POST YOUR PARTICULARS ON OUR PUBLIC FB PAGE WHERE YOUR PRIVACY IS NOT GUARANTEED. PLEASE CALL OUR 24 HOUR TOLL FREE HOTLINE OR EMAIL US THROUGH OUR WEBSITE. HOTLINE: 1.800.315.5579, WEBSITE WWW.NEXTSTEPDVPROJECT.ORG

Wheel Wednesday: Understanding the Equality WheelThis week, we’re focusing on the Equality Wheel—a guide to what healthy...
06/03/2026

Wheel Wednesday: Understanding the Equality Wheel

This week, we’re focusing on the Equality Wheel—a guide to what healthy, respectful relationships look like. Unlike the Power & Control Wheel, which shows harmful behaviors, the Equality Wheel highlights positive actions that build trust, respect, and fairness between partners.

Key areas of the Equality Wheel include:
🔹 Respect – Listening to and valuing each other’s feelings, opinions, and boundaries
🔹 Trust & Honesty – Being open, truthful, and reliable
🔹 Support – Encouraging each other’s personal growth and independence
🔹 Fairness – Making decisions together and sharing responsibilities
🔹 Negotiation & Compromise – Solving conflicts collaboratively
🔹 Non-Threatening Behavior – Ensuring safety and security in the relationship
🔹 Shared Responsibility – Cooperating in parenting, household, and financial duties

💜 Healthy relationships are built on equality, not fear. Both partners feel valued, safe, and empowered.

📅 Each Wednesday, we explore tools like the Power & Control Wheel and the Equality Wheel to help recognize unhealthy patterns and promote strong, supportive relationships.

Are you looking for some extra cash this summer?NextStep is looking for podcast guests aged 13-28, to voice their though...
06/02/2026

Are you looking for some extra cash this summer?

NextStep is looking for podcast guests aged 13-28, to voice their thoughts and opinions on behaviors and relationships they've seen in the media.

For more information, reach out to our Prevention team here:

https://www.nextstepdvproject.org/for-youth -in-touch

06/01/2026

A humongous thank you to for sponsoring our legal clinic for the month of June!

We are incredibly grateful to Machias Savings Bank for showing up for survivors in our community in such a meaningful way. It never stops amazing us to see local businesses and community members come together to support this life-changing work.

Access to legal support can make an enormous difference for someone navigating domestic violence. Community sponsorships help make these services possible and remind survivors that they are not alone.

This kind of support creates real impact right here in Hancock and Washington counties, and we are so thankful to have community partners who believe in showing up for their neighbors. 💜

Reaching out for help is scary and difficult. That's why we'd like to take some time to explain how our Helpline works -...
05/28/2026

Reaching out for help is scary and difficult. That's why we'd like to take some time to explain how our Helpline works - so we can take some of the Unknown out of the process.

Our Helpline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
It is the quickest way to speak to an advocate and connect to any of our services. It is free and confidential.

Wheel Wednesday: Economic AbuseThis week, we’re focusing on Economic Abuse—a tactic where an abuser controls access to m...
05/27/2026

Wheel Wednesday: Economic Abuse

This week, we’re focusing on Economic Abuse—a tactic where an abuser controls access to money or resources to limit independence and maintain power.

Economic abuse is about restricting your financial freedom, making it harder to leave or make decisions for yourself.

⚠️ This can look like:
🔹 Controlling all the money or bank accounts
🔹 Preventing you from working or limiting job opportunities
🔹 Giving an “allowance” instead of sharing finances
🔹 Making you ask for money or account for every dollar spent
🔹 Running up debt in your name or sabotaging your financial stability

These behaviors are not about budgeting—they’re about power and control. Healthy relationships share financial responsibilities and respect each partner’s independence.

💜 You deserve financial freedom and the ability to make choices for yourself.

📅 Each Wednesday, we’ll continue breaking down a different section of the Power & Control Wheel to help recognize unhealthy and abusive behaviors.

📞 If you or someone you know needs support, you are not alone. Reach out to NextStep Advocates at 1-800-315-5579.

A giant THANK YOU from our Prevention and Youth Services Team! Recently, Bucksport High School students volunteered thei...
05/26/2026

A giant THANK YOU from our Prevention and Youth Services Team! Recently, Bucksport High School students volunteered their time to prep workshop materials for our educators. This will help them finish up this school year and begin the 26/27 school year strong!

If you have a student in need of volunteer hours, we have several opportunities available, including prepping workshop materials like these apples, and being a guest on our podcast, Relationship Rewind. For more information and to get in touch with our team, contact us here: https://www.nextstepdvproject.org/for-youth -in-touch

05/22/2026

This week's Floofy Friday is graciously brought to us by Freya! 🐾😻

Freya is tops at being an expert cuddly buddy and is always ready to offer some relaxing support to her humans.

At Next Step, we know just how important our floofy family members are to the survivors we work with. Which is why we have formed Coco's Fund! Coco's Fund is filled with donations from our community and helps us support survivors in staying with their pets and making sure they are able to stay healthy and safe.

You can donate to Coco's fund by visiting: https://www.nextstepdvproject.org/donate

Please share with anyone you think might be interested in sharing the word and donating to support our survivors floofies!

Wheel Wednesday: Using Privilege This week, we’re breaking down Using Privilege—a tactic where an abuser leverages their...
05/20/2026

Wheel Wednesday: Using Privilege

This week, we’re breaking down Using Privilege—a tactic where an abuser leverages their social, economic, or cultural power to dominate or control their partner.

Using privilege creates inequality in the relationship and reinforces the abuser’s control.

⚠️ This can look like:
🔹 Treating themselves as “the boss” or decision-maker
🔹 Making all major decisions without input
🔹 Acting like their opinions, needs, or desires are more important
🔹 Using social, economic, or cultural status to intimidate or control
🔹 Believing one partner is “better” or “more deserving”

These behaviors are about power and control, not fairness or partnership. Healthy relationships are based on equality, respect, and shared decision-making.

💜 You deserve a relationship where both voices matter equally.

📅 Each Wednesday, we’ll continue breaking down a different section of the Power & Control Wheel to help recognize unhealthy and abusive behaviors.

📞 If you or someone you know needs support, you are not alone. Reach out to NextStep Advocates at 1-800-315-5579.

05/19/2026

The federal government is once again late in releasing critical funding notices that fund Maine’s response to DV. What’s at stake?

Rental assistance for survivors in some of the most expensive regions of our state. Several MCEDV members are waiting to apply for continuation grants for their Transitional Housing Programs. Others are waiting to apply and bring new rental assistance to their communities through this grant stream.

Late funding notices can mean late funding — and that can mean survivors’ rents go unpaid. Contact your congressional reps and ask them to tell DOJ and HHS to release the funding notices for DV services now.

Contact your Member of Congress:

You can find your Senator at https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact and your Representative at https://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_house?ZIP=.

Call their office:
To contact your Senators and Representative by phone, call the US Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or find their phone numbers on their websites.

Email them:
To contact your Senators and Representatives by email, go to their website and click on the ‘contact us’ link. If you know someone in their office, contact them directly. See here for a staff contact list.

Contact State/Territory lawmakers:
It is also important to share these concerns and messaging with state/territory-level leaders, including state legislators, attorneys general, governors, and other state/territory leaders - particularly where funding delays are creating challenges for state and local budgets.

Address

P. O. Box 1466
Ellsworth, ME
04605

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18003155579

Website

http://nextstepdvproject.blogspot.com/

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