Legacy Raises Funds for Freeman Center
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Legacy Banks Foundation is pleased to announce that the members of our community have come forward to help exceed the goal of a challenge grant offered by the Foundation in August. In response to an increased number of domestic violence cases reported locally, The Legacy Banks Foundation challenged the community raise $10,000 with the Foundation matching with a $10,000 grant.The campaign was a success, with $10,595 raised though community donations. As a result, the Foundation will send a check in the amount of $20,595 to the Elizabeth Freeman Center to assist victims of domestic violence as well as raise awareness about this rising concern.
Richard Sullivan, president of The Legacy Banks Foundation expressed his appreciation of the outpouring of support from the community for this great cause. “Even during difficult economic times, the people of our community have come together to combat a very serious problem. I thank all those who contributed to assist The Elizabeth Freeman Center with continuing their good work.”
The Elizabeth Freeman Center offers safe shelter, individual counseling, education, advocacy and support, and safety planning to all survivors of domestic violence or sexual abuse. The Center has been providing frontline emergency and ongoing support services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families in Berkshire County for thirty five years, and is the largest and oldest service organization in Berkshire County dedicated to this important work.
According to Executive Director Janis Broderick, “In these tough economic times, we’ve seen the calls to our hotline increase over 50% in just the past six months. Any one of them may be a matter of life and death. At the same time, our funding continues to be cut. We truly appreciate this very generous grant from Legacy Banks Foundation and the incredible support of our community. It is only with community support like this that we can keep our doors open and our work strong.”
During this fiscal year of 2008-2009, 80 women and their 61 children moved into the secure shelter of the Elizabeth Freeman Center because they were in danger from their abusers and could not remain safely in their homes. Additionally, during this same period the Center received and responded to over 1,200 calls to its 24-hour a day, seven day a week toll-free emergency response hotline with physical response. In addition to domestic violence and sexual assault services, the Elizabeth Freeman Center offers legal advocacy based in the county courts to help victims obtain restraining orders, safe supervised visitation, support groups, prevention workshops which reached over 2,000 students last year, and educational outreach.
Established in 2005, The Legacy Banks Foundation continues the philanthropic tradition of Legacy Banks and its associates who have generously contributed their time, talent and treasure for the betterment of the communities in which they have worked and lived for well over a century. The Foundation focuses its support in six major areas - affordable housing, economic development, education, health and human services, civic and community, and arts & culture.
