Participating in the Maine Women’s Network meeting, held at REACH, were, from left, Beth Miller, Village Square Realty; Debbie Dembski, REACH director; Helga Thurston, Paris Cape Realty; Beth Andrews, RN; Kelly Glidden, AWAP educator; Katie Coffin, Handy Services; Rebecca Dowse, LLC; Debbie Barker, REACH educator; Robbin Kyshura, client services and Sexual Assault Response Team coordinator; and Raven Merrill, Maine Machine Products and www.ravenstar.com.

County REACH hosts women’s network

PARIS – The Oxford County Rape Education and Crisis Hotline organization hosted a meeting of the Western Chapter, Maine Women’s Network, on Jan. 23. The focus was on women’s advocacy.

Speakers included REACH Executive Director Debbie Dembski and, Kelly Glidden, community educator, Abused Women’s Advocacy Project. The Women’s Network featured member, Beth Miller of Village Realty Co., also gave a presentation.

The network is a statewide resource for building professional and personal relationships that help make a difference – in the workplace, community and across the state.

The guest speakers allowed members to learn about services and resources available to those victimized by rape, sexual assault and domestic violence. Discussion focused on ways community members can help friends or family members who are sexually, emotionally or physically abused.

REACH is available for presentations to civic, workplace, faith and other professional and community groups, and offers a variety of school-based educational programs and support groups. All crisis support and education services are free.

REACH serves the towns of Oxford County and Harrison and Bridgton. To learn more about REACH services or becoming an advocate volunteer, call 743-9777. To contact the 24-hour support hotline, call 1-800-871-7741. To learn more about the Women’s Network, call Rebecca Dowse, Western Chapter chairwoman, at 743-5262.