New name, same mission for Piscataquis and Penobscot County domestic violence resource center
BANGOR — The non-profit organization formerly known as the Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance held a press conference on June 30 at the Bangor Public Library to announce its new name Partners for Peace and unveil the new logo.
In 2013 Spruce Run of Penobscot County and the Piscataquis County based Womancare — which continues to have its resource center on Mechanic Street in Dover-Foxcroft — merged to become one organization and took on the placeholder name of Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance. Now Partners for Peace is the domestic violence resource center serving the Penobscot and Piscataquis County region.
“Over the years, we have learned that we do works,” said Amanda Cost, facilitative director of Partners for Peace. “Our new name will not change how we do what we do. The high quality services that you all have come to depend on for over 40 years will still be in place.”
The press conference included a number of speakers including Detective Steve Pelletier of the Bangor Police Department, Bangor City Councilor Ben Sprague, and Partners for Peace volunteer Amanda Emery.
“I’m excited about the ongoing relationship between the Bangor Police Department and Partners for Peace and look forward to working with them long into the future,” shared Detective Pelletier. “Both of our agencies are committed to making a difference, ensuring that victims are safe. That is a cause worth fighting for.”
Emery added in with her experiences from her volunteer work on the organization’s 24-hour helpline.
Sprague presented Partners for Peace with a check for $6,000 on behalf of Erin’s Run, a local 5K fundraiser in memory of a former Spruce Run employee.
“It is our plan to use the name change and re-branding process to increase visibility and accessibility to our organization particularly for those survivors who may have felt like they could not come to us or didn’t even know we exist,” Cost said. “The name Partners for Peace feels accessible, inclusive, positive, and hopeful.”
Partners for Peace will continue to distribute new materials to community groups and organizations over the next several months.
Partners for Peace provides support services for anyone affected by abuse and violence in the Penobscot and Piscataquis County region. For more information, visit website www.partnersforpeaceme.org. To speak with an advocate, please call the 24-hour helpline at 1-800-863-9909. Services are free and confidential.
Photo courtesy of Partners for Peace
NEW NAME FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE CENTER — Partners for Peace Facilitative Director Amanda Cost talks about the organization’s new name and unveils the new logo during a press conference at the Bangor Public Library on June 30. The former Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance is a domestic violence resource center for Piscataquis and Penobscot counties.