Kara Barnies

Professional Impact

Kara Barnies has spent the past nine years building a career supporting survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation. As an advocate at Safe Voices, she helped establish Maine’s first safe house for survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, serving as the organization’s first Safe House Advocate before growing into a program management role. Today, she oversees Safe House programming and community-based anti-trafficking efforts, working alongside community partners to provide trauma-informed support and help survivors navigate their paths forward. Her passion for this work is deeply rooted in her love for this community. After attending a Safe Voices prevention education presentation at Lewiston High School, she learned support was available for youth like her and her friends, and she knew she wanted to be more involved. Today, she is proud to help create those same opportunities for recognition, connection, and hope for others. She also remains actively involved with the Maine Resiliency Center, supporting the Lewiston community following the October 25, 2023, tragedy through youth support groups, advocacy, and community-based healing initiatives.

Personal Passions

Outside of work, Kara enjoys reading, whether curled up with a good book and her rescue Pittie, Carly, or listening to audiobooks while walking around Bates College. She is also part of a book club where she enjoys discussing the monthly selection, sharing good food, and catching up with friends. Family is another important part of her life. Coming from a large, close-knit family, with her father being one of 14 siblings, Kara treasures Sunday evening family dinners as a time to reconnect and recharge. Her family is also deeply supportive of her work in the community, with her aunt even receiving Safe Voices’ Volunteer of the Year Award. Kara is especially proud to have a short piece of her own writing, titled “The Same Woods,” featured in Safe Voices’ upcoming publication, The Truth We Carry: An Anthology of Survivor Voices, debuting in March 2027.

Love for Androscoggin

As a Lewiston native, Kara has a deep appreciation for the locally owned businesses and familiar places that make Androscoggin County feel like home. She especially enjoys introducing her partner, who is not from Maine, to the area and experiencing familiar places through a fresh perspective. Some of her local favorites include Blue Jay Coffee, Labadie’s Bakery, El Pocho’s, Sonder & Dram, Forage, and Quiet City Books. She also enjoys visiting the farmers market and walking her dog around Bates College. For Kara, what makes Lewiston-Auburn special is not just the places themselves, but the people behind them. She values the sense of pride, connection, and community support that comes from showing up for local businesses and one another.