BRIDGTON — Through These Doors and New England Arab American Organization will sponsor three virtual workshops for faith leaders and congregation members who want to learn new ways to support victims of domestic violence and elder abuse. Building Bridges: Addressing Domestic Violence through the Lens of Faith will begin on May 25 and continue weekly through June 8, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
This free three-part series is facilitated by Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership, a consortium of faith leaders who conduct trainings nationally around issues of faith and domestic violence and elder abuse. For more information about Safe Havens’ work, please visit their website at www.interfaithpartners.org.
Abuse can affect anyone regardless of age, race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, first language, or faith. In the Lakes Region, more than 400 people have reached out to Through These Doors for help since the start of the pandemic last March. The pandemic has increased the number of people experiencing abuse, and also increased the severity and complexity of cases. “It is very common for victims in these circumstances to experience a spiritual crisis,” says Zoe Sahloul, executive director of NEAAO. “They seek compassionate guidance from their faith leaders in order to get comfort, perspective and support.”
These workshops are open to leaders and congregation members of any faith who want to learn best practices for helping victims and survivors of domestic abuse. The format is interactive, via Zoom. Those attending all three sessions will recieve a certificate of completion. Please email Melinda.Thomas@neaao.org for more information or to register. Workshop dates are May 25, June 1 and June 8, from 2 pm to 4 p.m.
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