Healthy dating program comes to Deer Isle-Stonington High School

Published by Penobscot Bay Press

October 8, 2026

DEER ISLE—The grassroots nonprofit Finding Our Voices is partnering with local school leaders across Maine to open the eyes of teens to worrisome dating behaviors that have become normalized.

“Trust my gut,” “Abuse is not just physical,” “Boys can be victims of abuse by girls” and “There can be happiness after abuse” are just some of what Deer Isle-Stonington High School teens report learning from a Finding Our Voices visit to their school September 16.

The program’s second visit this year to the Island included a young person with the group sharing with all 100 or so students her story of dating abuse, then a poster project to 10th graders connecting worrisome behaviors in pop culture couples to the patterns of abuse that occur in real-life relationships.

Patrisha McLean, CEO and founder of Finding Our Voices, said she was happy when Rebecca Gratz invited them to return to her school. “I am so impressed with the students at DISHS. We are proud to be building a partnership with DISHS leaders toward healthier intimate partner and family relationships for students both now and for when they are adults.”