A New Chapter in Maine: Safe Voices and RedRover Readers Partner to Support Families in Crisis

By Minhhan Takemoto, Program Manager –

This summer, RedRover is looking forward to collaborating with Safe Voices in Maine, a domestic violence and human trafficking resource center and survivor advocacy organization, to pilot the RedRover Readers program with children and families impacted by domestic violence. Through this partnership, we’ll train Safe Voices staff in empathy-building reading techniques for story-based sessions with youth.

Together, we will tailor the discussion-based, animal-themed RedRover Readers curriculum to co-create trauma-informed programming with their help and expertise, meeting the specific needs of children who have experienced crisis and displacement. We’ll focus on helping children:

Focus on caring and kindness in a difficult time
Recognize and name their emotions
Feel validated and understood
Learn healthy coping strategies
See positive behaviors modeled through storytelling

By the end of 2026, our shared goal is for Safe Voices to establish and maintain the RedRover Readers program so their dedicated staff can continue to provide families with tools that promote emotional safety, resilience, and connection long after they leave the shelter.

This collaboration reflects RedRover’s ongoing commitment to bringing animals from crisis to care and helping children do the same through compassion, empathy, and healing-centered education.

Be on the lookout for more updates to come as we prepare for the summer pilot. Want to learn more and take the RedRover Readers online training? Sign up for free at RedRover.org/On-Demand.