Finding Our Voices was awarded the Governor's Award for Service and Volunteerism for its program of donated dental care to women domestic abuse survivors, Finding Our Smiles, May 9 in Augusta.
Governor Janet T. Mills said, "Through the dedication and compassion of its volunteer providers, Finding Our Smiles demonstrates how specialized volunteer service can restore not only oral health, but dignity, confidence, and a renewed sense of possibility."
Forty Maine dental providers in 10 counties are part of the groundbreaking Finding Our Voices program with a total donated value of dental treatment now topping $400,000.00.
Finding Our Voices, a grassroots statewide nonprofit, won Outstanding Non-Profit Volunteer Program for Finding Our Smiles in the award program managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by Volunteer Maine, the state service commission.
The photo above shows Patrisha McLean and Mary Kamradt, Founder+ CEO and Director of Operations of Finding Our Voices, in yellow flanking Dental Assistant Mandy Fitzsimmons, on the far left Major General Diane L. Dunn and on the far right John Portela of the Maine Volunteer Foundation. In the flowered dress is Lauren Rice, a volunteer dental hygienist with Finding Our Smiles.