Partners for Peace to mark End Domestic Violence Days Oct. 2 in D-F

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Partners for Peace, the domestic violence resource center serving Piscataquis and Penobscot counties, will be observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month with three End Domestic Violence Days across the two county region in October, including from 2-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2 in Dover-Foxcroft.

“There are three major events we are hosting ourselves,” Angie Alfonso of Partners for Peace said. “With the three this year we really are encouraging the community to take action.”

End Domestic Violence Days are scheduled for Oct. 2 in Dover-Foxcroft as well as the following two Tuesdays first in Lincoln and then in Bangor. Other events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month will be taking place across October.

“The month kickoff is we are working with the Wabanaki Women’s Coalition with Oct. 1 events at their women’s resource center,” Wendy Chadwick of Partners for Peace said.

The following day will be End Domestic Violence Days events from 2-6 p.m. in Dover-Foxcroft at the 8 Mechanic Street Partners for Peace Resource Center. “It will begin and end here,” Alfonso said. She said those attending will be able to park on the adjacent lawn.

The day will have a color fun run/walk at 4 p.m. Alfonso said for $20 participants will receive a white T-shirt, sunglasses and an individual color packet, or for $10 registrants can have just the event T-shirt.

“We are encouraging people to preregister,” she said.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
PURPLE RIBBON — Partners for Peace will host events for End Domestic Violence Days from 2-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the 8 Mechanic Street resource center in Dover-Foxcroft, including a 4 p.m. color run.

“It’s approximately two miles total,” Alfonso said. She said there will be four color stations along the way as those traveling the route will be doused with colored powder at the the lot next to Monument Square Gulf on West Main Street, by the Pine Tree Hospice building, near the Piscataquis Regional YMCA and the Partners for Peace office.

“We will provide light refreshments, face painting and a photo booth,” Alfonso said. “We will be doing a brief presentation and a brief remembrance as well.”

The town of Dover-Foxcroft will have a proclamation in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month read aloud. Alfonso said Community Health and Counseling Services, the Shaw House and Rape Response Services will each be represented to provide information on organization services to those attending the Oct. 2 event.

End Domestic Violence Days moves to Lincoln from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the town gazebo with a BBQ, child-friendly activities, community tabling and then a 5:30 p.m. awareness walk.

“That is more of a vigil and remembrance event, the overall theme is remembrance and honoring those we work with,” Alfonso said.

She said an awareness walk will be part of the Bangor event on Tuesday, Oct. 16 in West Market Square downtown with the walk starting at noon and kid-friendly events and community tabling being from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “There are lots of community partners we work with and we want to celebrate the work and honor those we work with and work for,” Alfonso said.

“Another thing we are continuing this year is our Knowledge Empowers Campaign, so people can visit their local library” Alfonso said. Partners for Peace donates three different age-appropriate books to various school, town and hospital libraries with accompanying displays to educate about domestic violence awareness.

Chadwick said Wednesday, Oct. 10 will be Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day. She said that day in Greenville as well as Oct. 11 in Sangerville, Partners for Peace will be working with healthcare staff to help them be able to identify patients who may be experiencing domestic violence and how the providers can assist.

“All of these events have been made possible by some really generous sponsors,” Alfonso said. She said the End Domestic Violence Days Dover-Foxcroft events are being sponsored by Katahdin Trust Company, Northern Line Construction, Cross Insurance and The Advertising Specialists of Maine, Inc. Alfonso said there many other community providers lending support.

“For more information or assistance with registering, they can call me directly at 564-8166,” Alfonso said.

More information on Partners for Peace is available at https://www.partnersforpeaceme.org.