Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence Receives $10,000 Award from 100 Women

*Francine Garland Stark, Executive Director of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, accepts the $10,000 award from WAWC’s Stacy Whitcomb-Smith and Helen Bell-Necevski*

The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence recently was awarded $10,000 by 100 Women Who Give, a Waterville Area Women’s Club philanthropic event. Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence advocates for the right of all people to live free from domestic abuse and all forms of violence. It was one of three Central Maine nonprofits recognized at the 100 Women Who Give event held May 2nd at Snow Pond Center for the Arts in Sidney, Maine.

Three local nonprofits—Maine Children’s Home, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, and Waterville Community Dental Center—were selected to share their missions and raise awareness of their important work at the inaugural 2024 event. Attendees of the 100 Women Who Give event each bought tickets for $100, thus raising $10,000 to be awarded to one local nonprofit that night.

Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence

Francine Garland Stark, Executive Director of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, spoke on behalf of the organization and its Liberation Fund. Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV) works to end domestic abuse, dating abuse, stalking, elder abuse, and commercial sex trafficking. Its Liberation Fund provides direct economic assistance to domestic abuse survivors. MCEDV advocates for the right of all people to live free from domestic abuse and all forms of violence. It serves a network of nine members throughout the state. It also provides support for state level partners as they respond to abuse, creates frameworks to inform the public’s understanding of the issue, and advocates for policies that will hold abusive people to account and keep survivors safe. mcedv.org

Maine Children’s Home

Candace Marriner, Executive Director of Maine Children’s Home, and Alaina Wolman, Director of MCH’s Journey Program, spoke on behalf of the Waterville-based nonprofit. Founded in 1899, Maine Children’s Home offers programs that build and strengthen families and their children, instilling hope for the future and a better quality of life. Over the past century, MCH has evolved with the changing needs of families and children, and currently supports more than 3,000 people each year through numerous programs and services. Its Journey Program supports young parents on their path to self-worth and positive parenting. www.mainechildrenshome.org

Waterville Community Dental Center

Barbara Covey, Board Member, and Kailee Williams, DMD, spoke on behalf of Waterville Community Dental Center and its mission to improve access to quality oral health care for low income, uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid-eligible residents of Central Maine. Access to affordable oral health care is a critical resource in maintaining the health of a community, and Waterville Community Dental Center believes affordable, high quality, and comfortable oral health care should be available to everyone. The center has provided oral health care to residents of Central Maine since 2000. www.communitydental.org

Representatives of Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Maine Children’s Home, and Waterville Community Dental Center were recognized at the 100 Women Who Give event. The $10,000 award was presented to *Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence* by WAWC’s Alisa Johnson and Stacy Whitcomb-Smith.

After learning about the important work done in our community by all three nonprofits, each attendee had the difficult task of voting for one organization to be awarded the $10,000. While all were deserving, ultimately, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence was declared the winner of $10,000. Additional donations from 100 Women Who Give attendees were divided between Maine Children’s Home and Waterville Community Dental Center. Waterville Area Women’s Club and the 100 Women Who Give attendees were proud to recognize and support the work of these three worthy nonprofits in our community.

You can learn more about these invaluable nonprofits and how to support their organizations and work on their individual websites.

Serving the Greater Waterville Area since 1887, Waterville Area Women’s Club and its volunteer members annually support a variety of area charities and service agencies that benefit women and children in literacy, food security, mental health, and other concerns. 2024 was the inaugural year of its 100 Women Who Give philanthropic event.