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Eateries partner with survivors to shine a light on domestic violence

More than 60 restaurants have teamed up with the nonprofit Finding Our Voices to help spark a deeper conversation and break the silence of domestic abuse.

ROCKPORT, Maine — This month, a food festival is happening at dozens of restaurants across Maine's midcoast region to help survivors and victims of domestic violence.

The second annual Finding Our Voices "Into The Light!" Foodie Festival kicked off on July 1.

Travis Nestor, the executive chef at the Rockport Harbor Hotel, put the finishing touches on his panna cotta with a burst of yellow—to shine a light on domestic violence.

"Saffron was like an easy go-to for this dessert, and it's important to get involved," Nestor enthused.

More than 60 restaurants across the midcoast have teamed up with the nonprofit Finding Our Voices, creating unique "Into the Light" yellow food and drink items to spark a deeper conversation and break the silence.

"Maybe they will look at it, and they will start talking about domestic abuse, and that's what's behind this," Patrisha McLean explained.

Patrisha McLean is a domestic abuse survivor herself and the founder of Finding Our Voices. The organization works to end domestic violence.

She said yellow is the nonprofit's color and signifies safety and freedom. The message that help and domestic violence resources are available is personal to Rockport Harbor Hotel General Manager Sarah McLean. Sarah McLean, who has no relation to Patrisha McLean, also broke free from an abusive relationship.

"They don't know what to do. They are stuck. This is the life that I am in," Sarah McLean explained.

Festival-goers can savor a scoop of yellow rose gelato at Freya's Ice Cream just down the street from the hotel. More than two dozen store owners in Camden have also donated yellow items for a raffle. Proceeds from the menu items and the sale of yellow books at Barnswallow Books will go toward the nonprofit's "Get Out/Stay Out" fund. More than 60 thousand dollars this year paid for shelter, car repairs, gas, food, and legal services. 

Patrisha McLean gets many calls for help, including from one woman who needs to go into hiding.

"She just found out the guy who almost killed her is being released on bail or released early on good behavior. She needs to get out fast," Patrisha McLean explained. 

Volunteers hope to expand the month-long campaign into other areas of Maine over the next several years.

Survivors hope their stories will encourage other victims not to be invisible anymore and help bring changes to a system they believe has failed them and their children. 

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Maine Domestic Violence Statewide Hotline at 1-866-834-HELP and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).

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