PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — No one deserves to be a victim of domestic violence.
That was the message a group of over 20 advocates, volunteers and community members hoped to spread across The Star City Wednesday during the Hope and Justice Project’s annual Walk It Up Presque Isle.
Prior to the group’s walk, Hope and Justice staff members Mariya Pelletier and Stephen Thibbert read stories from an anonymous survivor of domestic violence as well as a poem about the importance of men not being bystanders to violence.
Thibbert, prevention educator for Hope and Justice, said that after cancelling last year’s walk due to COVID-19, the organization wanted to ensure they had a way to spread awareness of domestic violence in person this year.
“An event like this helps people gather together and discuss the impact of domestic violence on our community,” Thibbert said.
The walk began outside the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library before taking participants down Academy and Main streets and up Church Street. After returning to the library, Pelletier read from another anonymous survivor, who encouraged those in similar circumstances to reach out for help.
As part of their month-long “A Little Piece of My Art” campaign, Hope and Justice invited attendees to view artwork created by survivors and local children in the library’s story time room and teen section.
A bright-colored collage of panels created by survivors featured messages such as “I Am Strong” and “Out of the Dark,” emphasizing the hope they have experienced after leaving an abusive relationship and seeking help.
“We hope that the art not only heals survivors but helps community members understand what they have gone through,” said Tammy Albert, director of prevention, education and training for Hope and Justice.
Outside the library, chairs draped with white sheets featured paper bags with the names of the 10 individuals in Maine who have lost their lives to homicides this year, eight of which were the result of domestic violence. Hope and Justice staff members read poems and messages dedicated to each of those victims, many of whom were children.
Though no homicides have occurred in Aroostook County in 2021, advocates with Hope and Justice want the community to know that resources are available to try to prevent such tragedies from happening.
“Even if one person learns about our services, that could be extremely beneficial to someone else,” Thibbert said.
The Hope and Justice Project is a nonprofit organization located in Presque Isle and serving all of Aroostook County through safety planning, support groups, court advocacy, emergency shelters, community education and other services.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the Hope and Justice Project’s hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-439-2323.
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — October 20, 2021 — Stephen Thibbert, prevention educator for the Hope and Justice Project, (right), reads from a poem during Walk It Up Presque Isle while domestic violence advocate Mariya Pelletier looks on. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — October 20, 2021 — Children’s artwork is featured at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library as part of the Hope and Justice Project’s “A Little Piece of my Art” campaign. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — October 20, 2021 — Mariya Pelletier, domestic violence advocate for the Hope and Justice Project, reads an anonymous survivor’s story during Walk It Up Presque Isle. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — October 20, 2021 — Artwork from domestic violence survivors is featured at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — October 20, 2021 — The Hope and Justice Project honored people in Maine who have lost their lives to domestic violence homicide during its annual Walk It Up Presque Isle events. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
