Safe Voices featured in nationwide digital campaign
September 19, 2025
Sep. 19 | Vivien Leigh | See the whole story at NewsCenter Maine
LEWISTON, Maine — Several Maine nonprofits have joined a new national ad campaign to highlight the role nonprofits play in daily life and encourage more public support.
The Nonprofits Get it Done digital ad campaign by the National Council of Nonprofits was launched in response to concerns about nonprofit funding.
It urges people to contact their federal lawmakers to support the sector, especially as lawmakers gear up to work on a full-year spending bill.
Sharon Stacey reached out for help from Safe Voices during an abusive relationship.
“I wouldn’t be here,” Stacey recalled. “I can tell you that I wouldn’t be here without these people.”
The journey Sharon began with Safe Voices is part of a broader mission. The nonprofit serves as a resource center for domestic violence and sex trafficking, helping people in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties.
After reaching out as a mother of four, she received help, took classes, joined a support group, and began rebuilding her life.
“It was one step at a time to build it, because it wasn’t easy,” Sharon added.
Safe Voices, which served more than 2,700 people in the tri-county area, which is a record high, is now gaining broader recognition.
It is one of four Maine nonprofits featured in a new digital ad campaign from the National Council of Nonprofits.
The campaign highlights the daily work of nonprofits, from feeding families to supporting survivors of domestic violence.
The Dempsey Center is also featured for offering free services and support to cancer patients and their families.
The campaign also features New Ventures Maine, which offers free financial guidance to help people grow their careers, start businesses, and give back to their communities.
The Aroostook County Action Program, which supports needs such as food assistance and youth programs, is also included.
Ads for these nonprofits appear on social media, websites, and apps. They direct viewers to a site where they can learn more and send messages to their members of Congress.
Maine Association of Nonprofits Executive Director Jennifer Hutchins says nonprofits have faced financial stress because of federal funding cuts.
“It just makes for an even more challenging environment,” Hutchins explained. “Some of our nonprofits do not feel safe because ideological messages are being spread that are unfair and inaccurate.”
Safe Voices unveiled a new $1.5 million Resource Center for Survivors in downtown Lewiston earlier this year.
Executive Director Rebecca Austin says about $1.2 million in federal funding from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Justice grants is set to expire on Sept. 30.
“Our organization has been here for 50 years,” Austin said. “In this time, I don’t think we have faced this level of uncertainty about what next year looks like.”
Rebecca hopes the campaign will educate the public about the work being done every day and encourage survivors to break the cycle. Sharon went on to become a nurse, her dream job, and is grateful to Safe Voices for helping her get on the right path.
“The support and the people here gave me the backbone to take those next steps,” Sharon said.
The campaign urges the public to contact members of their congressional delegation to pass a full-year spending bill before the start of the new fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1.