Nonprofit Maria’s Voice and Osseo-Maple Grove American Legion Partner for Domestic Violence Prevention

Leaders from the nonprofit Maria’s Voice met with Osseo-Maple Grove American Legion to discuss ways of partnering together to promote domestic violence prevention.

“Our goal is to bring awareness to veterans’ issues,” said American Legion board member Kristy Janigo. “Their goal is awareness to domestic abuse in the community and I think we can do that together.”

Janigo remembers the domestic violence vigil in Maple Grove last October and  hearing speakers talk about how domestic violence impacted them.

“That was very emotional, it brought people together,” said Janigo. “It just seemed like something that we would support.”

One of those speakers was Lissa Weimelt, the mother of Maria Pew, a young woman who died at the hands of her husband in the spring of 2020. Since then, Weimelt and other friends and family have formed Maria’s Voice to advocate for healthy relationships and domestic violence prevention.

Weimelt and Maria’s Voice executive director Sara Silva met with executive board members of the American Legion, Kristy Janigo and commander Walter Cole. Together, the two entities hope to partner together to do more to support safe homes and healthy relationships.

“This does bring up some conversations. I have had some very vulnerable conversations with fellow members of the American Legion and my hope is the conversations will continue in areas that we need to be talking about as a community,” said Janigo.

Maria’s Voice accepted a donation from the Legion, and the Legion committed to taking a Pledge and providing domestic violence information at their facility.

See also:  Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Maria’s Voice

Maple Grove | Osseo