Help Survivors Feel Joy Again

Last Christmas I was delighted to receive this thank you letter.

Our staff strives each and every day to make sure this story is not unique - that it’s the story everyone leaving our shelters can tell. All of our work is made possible by people like you who choose each year support the Center so that domestic violence survivors like this family can feel joy again.  

Here is Ms. M.’s letter –

“I would like to thank all of you.  “Unfortunately my family has been to a lot of domestic violence shelters since 2005.  We honestly were not happy to return this time.  But the day when we walked through these doors, my children and I cried tears of relief and joy.  We actually were in a place that was immaculate.  We couldn’t believe this was a shelter!  And the kids were overjoyed they had TV to watch.  Until today, when we are days away from opening a new door to a place called home, we are thankful for Women’s Second Start.

“I realize - wow, this place is heaven-sent, with real angels!  All of you have opened your hearts and cared unconditionally for each of us.  There has never been a time when anyone has closed a door or refused to help us.  This truly has been a great experience for me and my children.

“I was very worried about Christmas since I had hardly any money and I couldn’t buy my kids gifts.  On Christmas Eve, my son Wilfredo told me, ‘Mommy, this has been the best Christmas ever!’  I almost fell to the floor! Could this be my Mr. Materialistic-Thirteen-Year-Old - the boy with so much anger from witnessing too much?  Thank you all so very much for putting joy back in our lives!”  From Ms. M. for Tiffany, David and Wilfredo

The shelter Ms. M., Tiffany, David and Wilfredo walked into, Women’s Second Start, is located in Northern Manhattan.  Every year, the individualized services provided by Women’s Second Start give more than a hundred women and three hundred children the tools they need to break the pattern of domestic violence and start life anew – with joy. 

As the year draws to a close, we're asking you to support the Center Against Domestic Violence fulfill it's mission - ending violence in our communities.  We know you want to live in the same world as us, where children grow up in positive environments and gender-based violence is non-existant.  Your support of the Center brings us closer to that shared vision; please consider making a donation today.

Thank you and Happy Holidays,

Judith Kahan,

Chief Executive Officer

Support our shelters - Give the Gift of Safety to families fleeing domestic violence.