Healthy Relationships Grant Benefits Victims of Domestic Abuse

Posted June 03, 2021

New Hope for Women is the recipient of a $50,000 Healthy Relationships Community Grant from the Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). A $3million dollar joint initiative, MLB and MLBPA grants focus on three distinct areas: supporting programs that build and improve mental health resiliency among vulnerable populations, improving relationship skills of the next generation, and strengthening critical services to survivors of domestic violence. Applications were evaluated on an assessment of the population served, organization strength, impact, partnerships, and sustainability of programs. New Hope for Women will use the grant to assist survivors in rebuilding their lives, to support rebranding efforts, and to increase mental health services for those residing in the agency's transitional housing that will soon expand from six to seventeen units.

Incidences of domestic abuse have increased significantly worldwide since the pandemic. The agency's four-county Midcoast Maine catchment area is no different. New Hope for Women provided 5,016 nights of emergency hoteling totaling $81,000 during the first twelve months of the pandemic. This is more than 25 times the number of nights the previous year and significantly more than the $7,500 typical annual spend.

One of nine domestic violence resource centers that form the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, and one of fourteen domestic violence resource centers in the state, New Hope for Women seeks to nurture mutually beneficial relationships that promote a coordinated community response to abuse and violence. More information regarding New Hope for Women's comprehensive services is available at newhopeforwomen.org or by calling (207) 594.2128.