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Martha is a self-described New England farmer's daughter. Having grown up on her parent's beloved farm, she never dreamed becoming a bride would mean leaving behind the safety she had known all her life. Martha survived a 50-year marriage filled with physical, emotional and psychological abuse. Unfortunately, Martha is not alone. It is estimated there are 14,000 elder victims of abuse in our state, and many of them have very few resources to enable them to leave their situation. Often times an envelope, carefully tucked away with money saved little by little, is the only hope for safety they can imagine.

The Elder Abuse Institute of Maine has raised awareness about older victims of abuse since it began as a community partnership in 1995. Today, we are primed to open the doors to the first transitional house for elder victims of abuse, aptly named Martha's Cottage. (Martha was the subject of a nationally recognized film interview created by the Institute: Martha's Story: A Lifetime of Walking on Eggshells.). We want to dedicate this home to her heroism and resilience with the hopes that others like her will find safety, comfort and a new life free from violence.

Your help is needed to do this, now!

Through this campaign, we seek to raise $10,000 to launch the Full Envelope Fund to support older victims of abuse for whom a lack of resources is their barrier to a peaceful life. We want to ensure that all victims of elder abuse have that envelope of cash to escape their pain and find safety.

Monies raised for the Full Envelope Fund will ensure that their fear becomes hope. With your support, we will build a fund to help victims - both those who live at Martha's Cottage and those who are seeking safety in their communities - to purchase goods and services they need to find safety, whether that is a bus ticket, a security deposit for an apartment, a bag of groceries or furnishings for a new home. Together, we can ensure the envelope is always full to help an older victim find the peace, safety and dignity that we all deserve.

As you spend the holidays with your family, think about how you can help our most vulnerable population.

Warmest holiday wishes,
Rick Mooers, Board Chair
The Elder Abuse Institute of Maine