2015 Year Highlights

Great news for survivors of domestic violence. The Center is proud to have been a part of the fight to increase the length of stay in domestic violence shelters in New York State.

2015 was the first full year survivors could stay in shelter for up to six months, to heal from the trauma of domestic violence.

This longer stay gives survivors time to build skills they need to live independent lives and never return to abusive relationships again. We worked with the New York City Coalition of Domestic Violence Residential Providers and the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence to bring about this change. I am honored to be a founding co-chair of the New York City Coalition and to represent the needs of the City on the State Coalition.

I wish everyone a happy and safe new year!

Best,

Judy Kahan

CEO

NASW Emerging and Mid-Career Social Work Leader Award Granted to CADV Director Luis Matos

Here at the Center we are fortunate to have Luis Matos, our Director of Education & Community Services. The National Association of Social Workers recognized Luis as a Mid-Career Exemplary Leader on December 3rd, at their 9th Annual Awards Dinner.  Luis shared this award night with other Top and Emerging Leader recipients.

Luis Matos (middle), sister – Lydia and friend – Frank.

Luis has directed CADV’s Department of Education & Community Services (ECS) since 1999. In that time, he has taken the lead to provide innovative nonresidential services to stop domestic violence and aid its survivors, raise community awareness about relationship abuse and let the community know about CADV’s services.

We applaud Luis for cultivating a society free from violence and abuse through education and intervention.  Since Luis has led the ECS utilization, our community-based case management services have tripled. ECS facilitates supports groups for Spanish speaking women, English speaking women and children affected by domestic violence.

Luis develops and coordinates CADV’s internal staff training and provides or trains others to provide training in the community. He is committed to developing the next generation of social workers, through supervision and mentoring.

Congratulations Luis for this well-deserved award!!

Domestic Violence Doesn't Take a Holiday

During the holiday season, reports of domestic violence incidents may vary by location, but one important fact remains the same – Domestic Violence doesn’t take a holiday. The Center Against Domestic Violence offers safety and joy to more than 60 families this holiday season. Courageous women have given up the comfort of their own homes to find safety for themselves and their children.

The holiday season is a difficult time to leave a batterer. Victims may stay in danger so their children can have a happy holiday with two parents. And, school vacation makes the logistics of leaving harder.

One of the most dangerous times for a domestic violence victim is while she is deciding to leave. Breaking free from abuse and control also means leaving her outside support system, which is never easy, but especially hard this time of year.

Click here to learn more about what it takes to leave a batterer, in an interview with The Maria Project's founder, Marcella Goheen.

Center Against Domestic Violence Hosts Domestic Violence Awareness Event

Shop Till it Stops Pop Up Event

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, on October 24, 2015, the Center Against Domestic Violence hosted Shop Till it Stops – a pop up event – to recognize victims and survivors of domestic violence. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to acknowledge the courage of people who have said “no” to violence and to spread awareness about domestic violence emergency shelters and services.

The Center contacted local community establishments to bring awareness of domestic violence to the Brooklyn community. Shop Till It Stops was held at The Living Gallery – an art gallery known for bringing diverse groups of people together and encouraging communication through the arts - in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Guests encountered a relaxed, fun shopping experience while learning about domestic violence through art and literature and chatting with CADV staff.  We were able to raise $3,000 in proceeds for this event. 

Whatever was not sold the day of the event was given to the women living in our shelters.

The event featured clothing sales from multiple participating vendors, including Eileen Fisher, Crossroads Trading Company, L.E.S amis, and donations from members of SoHo boxing gym Work Train Fight. Food was donated from Brooklyn Mac and Sahadi’s, beer was lovingly provided by Brooklyn Brewery, and art by Gwen Shockey and Sherry Tagoe. Owner of High Bridge Cold Brew, whose main mission is to employ victims of domestic violence, handed out free samples and donated $1 per every bottle sold at the event. Start-up owner of Mama D’s Tasty Treats sold her delicious Italian and zucchini bread and sweets, and also donated 25% of her proceeds to CADV. There were raffle prizes including Kerry Washington’s Purple Purse (of the Purple Purse Challenge), soap basket from Flynn & King, duvets from Remodo, gift card donated by TJ Maxx & an iced coffee basket from High Bridge Cold Coffee.

“Thank you to everyone who participated to make this happen. The support that was shown means so much to us and we can't wait to come together as a community again.”

– Judy Kahan, CEO 

Shop Till it Stops Photos

- Shop Till it Stops flyer created by artist Stephanie Haller

Work Train Fight Fights to End Domestic Violence

On October 3^rd, we kicked off Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Purple Purse Challenge with SoHo boxing gym, Work Train Fight.  Center Against Domestic Violence staff joined Work Train Fight gym members and staff, as well as newcomers, to raise funds for the Center and spread the word against domestic violence.

WTF took participants through intensive workout classes where everyone got a shot in the ring with personal trainers.  The day was truly about embodiment of self, health and commitment to ending violence once and for all.

The event was fun, exciting and most of all, empowering. Every WTF staff member was fully invested in the event and it was obvious how passionate they were about what they do. Work Train Fight contributed to bringing our Purple Purse fundraising campaign to a total of $4,565!

WTF owner and founder, Alberto Ortiz, reached out to the Center because of his own exposure to domestic abuse growing up as a kid.  Drawing from his own experience, Alberto’s mission is to empower everyone who comes into the gym. He says, “Being “tough” is not about winning fights – being able to walk away from them shows the real strength.

"A Night on Broadway" - A Community Support Event

Wellington C. Mepham High School Skull and Bones Drama Club will be performing A Night on Broadway on Friday, September 18, 2015 at 7 PM.

Thank you so much for this great outpouring student support!!  

We are thrilled to be selected as Wellington C. Mepham High School Skull and Bones Drama Club’s charity of choice. All proceeds will go to the Center Against Domestic Violence.  Tickets can be purchased night of the event. 

The Mepham Skull and Bones Drama Club and for Thespian Troupe 7495, Mepham's chapter of the International Thespian Society recent productions include Auntie Mame, Pippin, and Into the Woods.

Join us for a night of good fun theatre. We hope to see you there!

RAPP Summer Program 2015

Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) Peer Leaders are learning how to stop relationship abuse, volunteering at the Center's shelters and completing community service projects. In their "spare" time, the teen leaders participate in fun events, like beach trips, and museum tours at the Museum of Tolerance and LES Tenement Museum.

The students showed off their cooking expertise and expressed their culture on Multi-cultural day at the Center. Dishes ranged from Jamaican jerk chicken to Spanish empanadas to Russian baked goods.  Entertainment then ensued with students acting out skits with props given to them only moments before. It was definitely a memorable day in the midst of a great summer.

"In the RAPP program I experienced things that I would have never thought of doing. This program helped me learn how to communicate with others and broke me out of my shell. Also just the experience in being here, meeting people from different backgrounds, associating (myself) and doing activities with them made me close to each and every one of them. The RAPP program is an awesome experience. You will want to do it every year."
- Alexis R.