Sunshine marmalade, Mexican street corn, a pineapple and ginger cocktail and limoncello tiramisu are just some of the ways peninsula diners can brighten their taste buds and also the lives of domestic abuse survivors, in July’s “Into the Light!” Yellow Festival.
“Into the Light!” is a fundraiser for the grassroots nonprofit Finding Our Voices which is devoted to breaking the silence and stigma of domestic abuse in Maine, and empowering women survivors to safety and freedom.
The Blue Hill Peninsula festival is an offshoot of the very successful version returning to Midcoast Maine for the third year that plays on the yellow that is the brand color of Finding Our Voices.
“I am bowled over by the beautiful support, generosity, and also creativity of the peninsula business community,” said Patrisha McLean. McLean is the CEO of Finding Our Voices. She lived in Castine for 30 years and started the nonprofit in 2020 following the domestic violence arrest of her then-husband of 29 years.
Donating part or all of the proceeds of yellow “Into the Light!” taste treats are 37 restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and farmer’s market and farm stand vendors, from Castine, Penobscot, Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Sargentville, Sedgwick, Deer Isle, and Stonington.
On the non-eatery side of the event, the Blue Hill Co-op is presenting a treasure hunt of yellow “Into the Light!” items from every department in the store, Blue Hill Books and Compass Rose are offering yellow books; Fairwinds Florist, special bouquets; and the Blue Hill Wine Shop, yellow-label wine; and Leaf & Anna and The Meadow, yellow gift items. Five vendors at the Blue Hill Farmer’s Market are donating proceeds of special “Into the Light!” items as well.
Folks are invited to put on yellow for the “Into the Light!” dance on Saturday, July 19 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Hill YMCA with a minimum suggested donation to Finding Our Voices of $15.
McLean said the July fundraiser will fund such innovative and impactful programs as Finding Our Smiles, with 37 Maine dentists donating dignified dental care; Get Out Stay Out financial assistance; online support groups; and dating abuse-awareness programs in high schools.
For a complete list of participating businesses along with their “Into the Light!” offerings, and for more information about Finding Our Voices, visit findingourvoices.net.
One of the ways cooperatives differ from other business structures is their adherence to cooperative principles and values that reflect social, political, and business concerns. Cooperatives trace their roots to the principles of the Rochdale pioneers, who established the first modern cooperative in Rochdale, England in 1844. These principles have been refined, adapted, and reinterpreted over the last 100+ years. The seven principles used by the International Cooperative Alliance today are generally accepted by cooperatives worldwide. The eighth principle featuring diversity, equity, and inclusion has been proposed and is soon to become adopted by the greater cooperative movement.
Cooperatives are also based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. Cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equally and democratically control the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members proportional to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreement with other organizations or raises capital from external sources, it is done based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members maintaining cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees allowing them to contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives.
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement in general by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work towards the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.
8. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (the newest suggested addition)
Cooperatives strive to incorporate diversity, perform equitably, and ensure inclusion at all levels to better serve members, demonstrate their valued status, and ensure they receive equitable service. While the act of leaving domestic violence might be one of the most difficult experiences both emotionally and physically, starting over is equally challenging. Finding Our Voices is providing significant support to people navigating such hardships. We are happy to be a partner in this worthwhile campaign which will benefit many in our community. Into the Light is in alignment with our founding cooperative principles and values. During the month of July, 2% of proceeds from the featured yellow products, will be donated to Finding Our Voices. Check out our featured yellow items for the campaign and you just might find your new favorite while raising money to help others!
