Commit to Community Supporting Victims of Violence and Abuse

This year the Commit to Get Fit will become the Commit to Community, Supporting Victims of Violence and Abuse. While the name is changing, the event itself will still take place on Sunday, September 29, at Broadway Park and include the Kids Obstacle Course, 5K Walk, 5K Run, and 10K Run. All money raised through this event will fund the St. Joseph Hospital’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program. Every participant, every donor, and every sponsor will be helping people in eastern Maine who require help from the hospital’s SAFE nurses.

These special nurses worked with 756 patients last year, a 46% increase from 2022. Proceeds from this event has ensured 24/7 coverage of the essential services SAFE team members provide, such as:

• Specialized 1:1 medical care with evidence collection for all victims of violence;
• Treatment for medical consequences of an assault;
• Initiation of an advocate from a sexual assault or domestic violence resource center to be at the bedside; and
• Referrals to community partners that help navigate complex systems such as DHHS, the judicial system, the civil legal system, and the child advocacy center.