Advocacy
The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV) has one goal - to end domestic violence in Maine. Founded in 1977, its work includes: support for quality, community-based services for battered women and their children; support for the provision of safe spaces and nurturing environments for children within our programs; training for member project advocates; public education and technical assistance; policy development and legislative initiatives that support battered women and hold batterers accountable; and task force development that provides voice and visibility to traditionally silenced groups. More information about MCEDV and its services is available at http://www.mcedv.org .
Maine Equal Justice Partners (MEJP) is dedicated to advocating on behalf of low-income people in Maine, to assure their access to basic rights and services; including health care, income support, food assistance, housing, child care, education and training, and fair working conditions. Maine Equal Justice provides a voice for low-income people through representation in the courts, the Legislature, and administrative agencies; legal policy research and analysis; and education and training about their legal rights and opportunities to participate in public policy reform. Maine Equal Justice was formed in January 1996 in response to the void left when Pine Tree Legal Assistance (Maine's sole grantee of the federal Legal Services Corporation) was forced by Congress to withdraw from its exceptional 29-year history of advocating for low-income people in the Legislature, before administrative agencies, and in significant class action litigation. MEJP's highly qualified staff has a breadth of knowledge in welfare, health care, unemployment, and other public assistance issues, and is relied upon to provide leadership and expertise on many complex legal and policy issues affecting low-income people in Maine. We take pride in MEJP's leadership role and are committed to providing high quality legal representation to Maine's low-income citizens. More information about MEJP and its services is available at http://www.mejp.org .
The Maine Women's Policy Center was founded in 1990 to improve the economic, social, and political status of women and girls in Maine through public policy and leadership development. The Maine Women's Policy Center is committed to systemic change. For sixteen years we have organized, trained, and supported women to effectively participate in the policy-making process. We have consistently backed up women's real life experiences with research and facts, and partnered with our sister organization, the Maine Women's Lobby, to amplify their concerns in the legislature and develop policy solutions that address their needs. We especially seek to serve those women who are underrepresented in the formation of public policy - particularly rural women and women with low incomes. More information on the MWPC and its services is available at http://www.mainewomen.org/homeMWPC.htm .
The Penquis Law Project is a public interest law practice, which seeks to create access to civil legal services for low- and moderate-income residents of Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties who would otherwise be without counsel and/or representation. Legal assistance is provided in matters of domestic relations, including divorce, protection from abuse, child support and visitation.
In addition to representation, the Law Project offers one-time consultations. At a one-time consultation, individuals may receive general legal information and help filling out court forms. Priority is given to those individuals or families who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Services are provided at no cost. More information about the Penquis Law Project and its services are available at http://www.penquiscap.org/webpages/Law+Project/default.aspx.
At Pine Tree Legal Assistance, you will not be denied our services on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, age, religion, political affiliation or belief, or disability. Pine Tree is a nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status established in 1966 by private attorneys in Maine to meet the need for legal assistance by low-income residents. Over the past 35 years, Pine Tree has become a recognized part of the justice system in Maine, providing help to over 350,000 Maine people since its doors first opened. Pine Tree is governed by a local Board of Directors composed of attorneys, client representatives of various organizations and at large members. Many of the Board members have served for 10+ years on the Board, and they take a very active role in setting policy for the program. There are over 300 legal services programs in the United States, which are designated recipients of federal funding from the Legal Services Corporation; Pine Tree is one of the few statewide programs and one of the oldest. More information about Pine Tree and its services is available at http://www.ptla.org .
