FARMINGTON — Safe Voices hosted a community appreciation meeting Thursday and celebrated an early kickoff to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

Community members gathered at the Homestead Kitchen, Bar and Bakery Restaurant to learn more about the organization’s work to end domestic violence in Franklin County. They were also invited to meet staff and board members for the organization which covers Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

Some local events include:

• Safe Voices will sponsor a table at the Senior Resource Fair from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 1, on the Mt. Blue High School campus;

• Safe Voices will hold its annual domestic violence memorial vigil starting at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, in Meetinghouse Park in Farmington. Other vigils will be held at Festival Plaza in Auburn, the gazebo near the Fire Department in Mexico and at the Norway Town Office on Monday night;

• A program and documentary on domestic abuse for students and the public will be shown on Oct. 13 at the University of Maine at Farmington; and

• Purple bows will be posted on bridges around Franklin County this year.

Domestic abuse cases in Franklin County keeps Maggy Ackerman, the new Franklin County Court Advocate for Safe Voices, busy, Hooke said.

She credited the “amazing” local police departments for their effort and vigilance to deal with the issue.  

The organization also provides educational activities in local schools for grades K-12. Younger students work on dealing with feelings of anger and sadness. With older students, it is about setting boundaries and maintaining healthy relationships, she said. 

A 24-hour free and confidential helpline at 1-800-559-2927 is available for those dealing with or who know someone in a domestic violence situation.

abryant@sunmediagroup.net