On a recent Sunbeam trip to Matinicus, Isle au Haut, and Frenchboro, Patrisha McLean, CEO and Founder of Finding Our Voices, spent time chatting with islanders about the impact of domestic violence. Patrisha spent 29 years in an abusive relationship and her trip on the Sunbeam was part of the organization’s 15-stop 2024 “Let’s Talk About It” tour. On the ride back to the Sunbeam’s home in Northeast Harbor, we asked her some questions about her organization and the trip.
Your gift to the Maine Seacoast Mission makes you part of all we do.
What program or project are you collaborating on with the Mission?
I started talking to the Mission because I love Maine islands, and I wanted to address domestic abuse that can take place in any community, including on an island. The Mission and I talked about joining a Sunbeam trip, but Covid happened, so that put a halt to that for a while. Now, here I am. My work is all about breaking the silence around domestic abuse in Maine.
Who does your organization serve? Tell us about the people who will benefit?
Our services are for Maine women survivors of intimate partner abuse. About 90% are moms, so we also help their children. We do what we can to empower our sister-survivors to get safe, get free, and also stabilize their lives.
We also promote awareness about domestic abuse and that’s for everybody. Men tell us about growing up with fathers who were abusive. Or maybe their wife was in an abusive previous relationship, or the men themselves had a partner who was abusive. We break the silence of domestic abuse across Maine one conversation and community at a time.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I’d like the island communities to know about Finding Our Voices as a resource. They can reach out to us for themselves, or someone they are worried about. We also want to get people talking about domestic abuse, to get rid of the shame and stigma in being a victim and so everyone understands how much of it there is everywhere, that it is complicated, and emotional abuse IS abuse.
How does working with the Mission benefit the people you serve?
People have so much respect for the Mission. I feel like if I was just going around the island striking up conversations, there might be some skepticism like who you, why are you talking to me? But the people are so welcoming and they’re very interested. I think they know that if the Mission is bringing somebody, then that person is someone worth listening to you. The crew created opportunities for organic conversations, which resulted in many meaningful interactions.
What has been a memorable moment of the trip?
It’s hard to say right now. I really liked laying in this skiff atop Sunbeam and reading my book today. That was awesome. Many people on the boat are early risers like I am, and I enjoyed the conversations with staff and crew early and late in the day. Maybe the biggest thrill for me was going to Matinicus because I have dreamed about going there for a long time.