Abused Women's Advocacy Project (AWAP)
The mission of the Abused Women's Advocacy Project is to support and empower those affected by domestic violence and engage the community in creating social change in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties.
Description:
The Abused Women's Advocacy Project is committed to a philosophy of self-help, peer support and empowerment for victims of abuse. We model respect, non-violence, and equality while working to end domestic violence. We listen to what individuals want in order to provide appropriate resources (referral, safety planning, etc.) The strength of our agency comes from the voices and experience of those who have been subjected to domestic abuse.
We believe that it takes a coordinated community response where the entire community, its systems, and institutions are working together to end domestic abuse and oppression. Strong societal consequences and legal penalties that hold offenders accountable are necessary to end domestic abuse. We work to educate all members of society to create these societal and cultural changes. Systems must change and they must not continue to minimize the voices of those who are abused.
History:
AWAP was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1977. The project began as a response to a critical need for emergency shelter; abused women and children needed a safe place to stay. It was apparent that the needs of women and children living in violent homes were not being met. AWAP operates the only shelter and support services for battered women and Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties.
Since 1977, AWAP's four fold mission is providing emergency and support services to victims of domestic violence, promoting ways to foster healthy relationships, educating the community about the seriousness and prevalence of this crime, and working toward legislative change so that communities no longer tolerate this abuse, has developed into a strong safety net for women and children seeking support, assistance, and a life free from the threat of further abuse. In addition to providing emergency shelter, AWAP has a network of local community based offices in Farmington, Lewiston, Norway, and Rumford. These local offices provide one-on-one support, support groups, children's services, advocacy, information and referral, court advocacy, transporting and accommodations for shelter, community education and professional trainings. AWAP also offers groups for men who are abusive, through a 48 week course based on a model program from Duluth, Minnesota.
AWAP is committed to a philosophy of providing "women defined advocacy" for victims of domestic abuse. Part of this philosophy recognizes that formerly battered women are often best able to offer support and assistance to victims of domestic violence. Because of this philosophy, former victims of domestic abuse are recruited for both staff and volunteer positions. Often, women have been made to feel powerless and without worth. AWAP aims to support women, not replace the control asserted by an abusive partner. This self-help model leads to empowerment. AWAP relies on volunteers in all aspects of the organization. Together, staff and volunteers provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
AWAP is an active participant in the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, a nine member coalition made up of domestic violence projects throughout the state.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (207) 795-6814
Address:
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PO Box 713
Auburn, ME 04210 |
Web Site: http://www.awap.org
Directions:
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Physical Address: 484 Main Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240 |
| Last updated on July 10, 2009 |
