With the public release of a video recording of last November's Finding Our Voices “Men Talking” event at the Camden Public Library, the grassroots nonprofit and the library are joining again to bring more light to growing up in domestic abuse. 

On Saturday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m., the three male panelists from the November event will join Finding Our Voices CEO and Founder Patrisha McLean in a Zoom event to continue the conversation about growing up with abusive fathers and breaking the cycle. Jory Squibb from Camden, Scott Denman from Belmont, and Dana Ward from Biddeford and Belfast will answer questions and delve deeper into the impact growing up with abusive fathers has on their relationships with their mother and siblings, and on their grown selves as intimate partners, parents, and professionals.  

This is a virtual event and will take place on Zoom. To find the registration link to attend, visit the “What’s Happening” adult events calendar at librarycamden.org. Or, click on the following Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvfuChrz8qHtACfCcjs1DSLtk0QS3THNOS.

The hour-long video of the 2023 library event, filmed by Geoffrey Parker, is available for viewing on both the Camden Public Library and Finding Our Voices YouTube channels. Anyone joining the online discussion on January 13 is encouraged to watch the recording ahead of time. The online links to this video are youtube.com/@findingourvoicesmaine and youtube.com/@CamdenPublicLibraryPrograms.

“Incredible is the word that keeps running through my mind about the Finding Our Voices event at our library on November 28,” says Julia Sagaser, programs director at the Camden Public Library. “I was blown away not only by the sheer number of people who attended but also by how they showed up with such compassion and openness to dialogue. I felt so proud to be a part of this community and to be a part of the evening.” 

The Zoom discussion on January 13 is an opportunity for those who were not present at the original, standing room only event to participate in the conversation, and also for those who were present to talk about it more. The online event format is designed to encourage open discussion with the audience. It is free to attend. 

Finding Our Voices is the Camden-based grassroots nonprofit marshaling survivor voices to break the silence of domestic abuse across Maine. The group provides a host of programs to empower women to get out and stay out of danger at home, and keep their children safe as well, including online support groups, financial assistance, pro bono dental care, and free healing retreats. For more information visit https://findingourvoices.net