URGENT UPDATE: The Finding Our Voices nonprofit is currently on a statewide tour across six Maine counties, bringing critical awareness to the issue of dating abuse among teens. This impactful initiative, which runs through April 2026, targets 16 middle and high schools, aiming to educate young people about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
The program has already garnered significant attention, with students expressing gratitude for its comprehensive approach. One participant noted, “It touched on everything including abuse to males, and as a guy I appreciated that.” The tour, which spans from Sanford to Baileyville, is set to resume in the fall, further emphasizing the urgent need for these conversations in schools.
Mary Kamradt, the nonprofit’s director of operations, highlighted the overwhelming response from school administrators. A principal from Somerset County recently remarked, “Your relatable messages about normalized dating behaviors that are not OK are desperately needed. I want you to stay here for two weeks!” This feedback underscores the program’s relevance and the pressing need for education on this critical issue.
The cornerstone of the Finding Our Voices program involves an engaging, hands-on project where students analyze pop culture couples exhibiting unhealthy relationship behaviors. Using an adaptation of the Power and Control Wheel, participants document these abusive behaviors, making the learning experience both fun and informative. The curriculum complies with Maine’s educational standards and spans three class periods, providing teachers with structured resources for effective implementation.
Additionally, volunteers aged 15 to 21 are actively involved, sharing their personal experiences of dating abuse via Zoom. One student remarked, “It was good hearing from someone closer to our age that we can relate to more.” This peer connection enhances the program’s impact, making the messages resonate deeply with students.
Finding Our Voices typically collaborates with health classes but has received invitations to present to entire schools. A notable event occurred on March 9 at Deer Isle-Stonington High School, where the organization conducted a comprehensive workshop. At both Morse High School in Bath and Dexter Regional High School, the nonprofit undertook a two-day residency, providing an immersive learning experience. Students reported transformative insights, such as “how easy it is to get caught in a toxic relationship and not know it” and that “abuse can be more than hitting” — crucial knowledge for their future relationships.
Founder and CEO Patrisha McLean expressed pride in the program’s effectiveness, sharing that a principal from the latest school visited noted, “Our program is very powerful,” and expressed eagerness to invite the organization back in the fall.
The initiative is sponsored by First National Bank, underscoring the community’s support for addressing domestic abuse. Finding Our Voices is dedicated to breaking the silence surrounding this issue in Maine, offering vital resources to women survivors and their children, including funding for escape plans and access to free dental care.
For more information about the Love/not Love school program, visit https://findingourvoices.net/youth-outreach. To learn more about Finding Our Voices and their ongoing efforts, check out https://findingourvoices.net.
This urgent program is not just about education; it’s about saving lives and fostering healthier relationships among the youth of Maine. Share this story to spread awareness and support the fight against domestic abuse.
