Betsy Fleurent, Hotline/Volunteer Co-Coordinator for Caring Unlimited
PO Box 590, Sanford, ME 04073
207-490-3227 x102
Their 24 Hour Confidential Hotline is: 1.800.239.7298
PJ introduced our speaker.
Betsy is Coordinator for one of nine centers of a Maine coalition to end domestic violence. Before coming to Maine, Betsy worked as a Victim Witness Coordinator in Manchester, NH for six years and three years in Dover NH as Domestic Violence Specialist.
Betsy began with some by presenting startling stats: One in three women and one in seven men are victims of domestic violence. Their agency receives more than 300 calls per month. Some of the services the organization offers are:
- 24-Hour Hotline
- Emergency shelter
- Transitional housing
- Legal assistance for victims
- Obtaining parental rights
- Assisting with divorce matters
- Outreach services such as Support & Education Groups
Fifty percent of all Maine homicides are domestic violence related. This number is one of the highest in the country.
It would not be impossible for this organization to be able to operate and meet the needs of the communities we serve if not for the organization’s volunteers.
Last year, 1,500 calls came from York County alone. 245 were from Biddeford and 113 from Saco. Their agency is the busiest agency operating in the state with the least amount of resources.
Last year stats were:
- 40 people spent an average of 300 nights in a shelter.
- 400 people came to support groups.
- Just under 100 volunteers offered 500 hours of their time.
Two of their fund raisers include Nicole’s Run ( in honor of Nicole Oliver whose death resulted from domestic abuse ) and the Atlantic Plunge.
There is an upcoming training session on Sept 8th to volunteer for Kids Watch and on Sept 11th for anyone interested in serving as a phone volunteer. Please contact Betsy if you are interested in attending a training session.
PJ added that the organization is working diligently within the educational system as a way to educate our youth. President Joe added that Seeds Of Hope in Biddeford has a $50,000 loan pool to assist people transitioning to new housing.
President Joe presented our guest speaker with an official Biddeford-Saco ROTARY mug. Thank you, Betsy, for everything you do for our communities and for taking the time to share this information with our club.
