Healing and understanding will blossom Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay with a Finding Our Voices presentation on domestic abuse by the real experts, survivors.

The 2:30 to 4 p.m. event is free and open to the public, and includes free admission to the Gardens. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to take in miles of wooded trails, and 48 acres of cultivated gardens that include white and lilac blue Wild Swan anemone dancing and swaying in the breeze in the Vayo Meditation Garden.

The survivors sharing their stories and leading a community conversation include Hannah Marden-Johnson, Lincoln County high school teacher and college access counselor; Camden business owner Christine Buckley; retired second grade teacher Mary Lou Smith from Scarborough; Rockport Harbor Hotel manager Sarah McLean; and Rickey Celentano of Camden talking from the perspective of a mother of a domestic abuse victim. Topics discussed include emotional, financial, and sexual abuse; the impact on children as well as the mother/child relationship; what to do if you suspect or know that a loved one or co-worker is in an unhealthy intimate partner relationship. The discussion will also include the restorative power of gardens and flowers!

Two short movies will precede the presentation, and a reception with refreshments will follow.

Patrisha McLean, CEO and founder of Finding Our Voices said, “There are lots of studies showing how looking at plants and walking in nature and beauty can reduce stress, fear, and sadness. The gardens in my marital home did all this for me.  I am so grateful to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens for providing us a free space in their sanctuary in which to break the silence of domestic abuse, provide camaraderie to survivors, and promote understanding and healing for all.”

The Boothbay event launches the fall swing of the statewide Finding Our Voices “Let’s Talk About It” Tour.  Other September stops are Westbrook Community Center on Sept. 16 and a booth in the Social Justice tent at the Common Ground Fair in Unity Sept. 20, 21 and 23.  October tour stops include the Bangor and South Portland Community Colleges, Elements Books Coffee Beer in Biddeford, and the Maine Irish Heritage Center in Portland.

The Sept. 11 afternoon event will be held in the Bosarge Education Center located within the Gardens and attendees should visit the front desk to obtain free admission. 

The buildings and central gardens are fully wheelchair and stroller accessible with varied accessibility in the remainder of the campus. Cart transportation, electric scooters and wheelchairs are available with advance notification.

Finding Our Voices is the grassroots nonprofit marshaling survivor voices and stories to break the silence of domestic abuse across Maine one community and conversation at a time. In addition to groundbreaking domestic abuse awareness programs such as the "Let’s Talk About It" tour and a poster campaign featuring faces and voices of 45 Maine survivors, it provides such hand-ups to sister survivors as financial assistance, access to free dental care, and online support groups.

For more information about the Sept. 11 event contact hello@findingourvoices.net. For more information about Finding Our Voices visit FindingOurVoices.net