It's been about 4 months since I started as the Executive Director of Safe Passage. The Hot Chocolate Run is our main fundraising event which draws about 5,000 people to Northampton to run, walk and drink hot chocolate. I've been on the planning group and have been part of unbelievable conversations. Did you know that we will use 2 full gallons of vanilla extra for the hot chocolate recipe.

Seriously, I'm honored to be the leader of this organization. I know that you, my friends, family and colleagues know that the work to end domestic and sexual violence and support survivors has become my life's work. I do this work still, after all these years, because I really believe in the possibilities of coming together and ending violence. I think it's part of my job to paint a picture for all of us about what a world without domestic violence would look like. I've been honored to get to know many of the women who come to our shelter, their kids, and the counselors and advocates who work with them on a daily basis. The work is intense, but it's worth it when I see someone take some steps for themselves to get a job, find a permanent place to live, build a healthy relationship, stand up for themselves.

You can join me, even if you can't be there in person, you can send in a donation. Thanks so much.
 
I hope you’ll make a donation and help me meet my fundraising goal. Safe Passage relies on support from people like us to fund their services, which include an emergency shelter program, individual counseling and support groups, legal services, a 24-hour hotline and more. Here are some examples of what these services cost:

$20: Emergency funds for a woman to purchase groceries or diapers
$45: A one-hour counseling session for a woman seeking help for the first time
$80: One weekly drop-in group session for survivors of domestic violence
$100: An hour of ASL interpreting for a deaf survivor's counseling session
$135: Three sessions for children who have witnessed domestic violence
$500: A month of on-call advocacy for victims of domestic violence police calls

All contributions are tax-deductible, and you’ll receive an emailed receipt immediately after you donate.

Thank you so much for your support!  If you want to register for the event or learn more about it, visit http://hotchocolaterun.com.