Contact Name: Kristen Rice
Contact Phone: 617-625-5996
Community Members Needed to Brighten Holidays for Domestic Violence Survivors
SOMERVILLE, Mass.—RESPOND, Inc., New England’s first domestic violence agency, is seeking donors for its Holiday Wish List Program, which helps brighten the holidays for families struggling with domestic violence. Each year, generous men, women, families, local businesses, community groups, religious institutions, schools and corporations provided gifts and necessities for more than 80 survivors of domestic violence and their children.
This year, as tight economic times for nonprofit institutions and families across the state alike continue, RESPOND again asks the community for help in fulfilling the Holiday Wish List. Each donor is assigned a family in need and given a holiday wish list that can range from toys for the children to warm socks to household goods necessary for setting up a survivor’s new home.
“Times are tight for everyone,” said Jessica C. Brayden, Executive Director of RESPOND. “RESPOND has seen a steady decrease in private foundation, individual and government funding in recent months. We are worried our donors just wouldn’t have the resources this year to provide necessities and gifts for our program participants. We have been astonished at the outpouring of support from the community so far, but we still have a ways to go in fulfilling our Holiday Wish Lists, and the holidays are fast approaching.”
Last year, local donors—among them the Tufts University Sponsored Accounting Department, Saint Clement’s Parish, Neighborhood Health Plan, a generous circle of long-time donors from Winchester, Saint Ann’s Parish, and the Mount Vernon Restaurant—sponsored a total of 84 individuals and families this holiday season.
“Every bit of help makes an enormous difference,” said Michelle Fine, Director of Programs and Services. “Aside from the joy of toys and gifts for children and teens, the community is helping ensure that families have essentials to get them through the winter… coats, hats, mittens, sheets, towels, warm blankets, sweaters. We are so lucky to have the support of a caring community that steps up even when times are tough. We cherish our donors and thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their generosity.”
If you are interested in sponsoring a Holiday Wish List or making much-needed donations of gift cards to local grocery stores, pharmacies, easily accessible department stores and MBTA passes, please contact Kristen Rice at kristen@respondinc.org or visit www.respondinc.org. RESPOND must have all Holiday Wish Lists fulfilled by December 22, 2010.
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RESPOND provides direct services to approximately 5,000 domestic violence survivors and their children every year through individual counseling, a 24-hour crisis hotline (617-623-5900), emergency shelter, support groups, children’s services, advocacy, legal support in the courts, community outreach, and educational programs. Based in Somerville, RESPOND serves communities throughout Greater Boston and beyond with a special emphasis on Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Somerville, Cambridge, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester and Woburn. Services are free, confidential, and available in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, French and English.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, please call RESPOND’s 24-hour hotline at 617-623-5900. For more information on programs, volunteer opportunities or to make a donation please call 617-625-5996 or visit www.respondinc.org.
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