LEWISTON – The Abused Women’s Advocacy Project will hold its first Spring Walk Against Violence on Saturday, May 9, at Simard/Payne Memorial Park.

Formerly known as the Winter Walk, this year the event has been moved outside with hopes of warmer weather and greater community participation. The purpose is to raise awareness about domestic violence and to help raise money to provide services to victims of abuse in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

Participants raise money by collecting pledges and walking laps in the park. The walk will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Refreshments will be provided and activities for children will be offered.

In 2008, the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project provided more than 8,000 hours of advocacy to people experiencing abuse, and provided emergency shelter for 178 people. According to current statistics, nearly two-thirds of Maine homicides are related to domestic violence. Nationally, approximately one in three American women is subject to some form of abuse by an intimate partner at some point in her life.

By providing one-on-one advocacy, court services, emergency shelter and community education, AWAP’s goal is to make communities safer for everyone.

AWAP has a free, confidential help line available 24 hours a day at 1-800-559-2927.

Participants can enter the walk as individuals or as teams. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are also welcome. Pledge forms can be downloaded from the AWAP Web site at www.awap.org. Prizes will be given at different fundraising levels. For information, call 795-6744, extension 14, or e-mail [email protected].

This year’s sponsors are Mechanics Savings Bank, Lewiston Emblem Club 528, Wal-Mart and the Insurance Source of Maine.