Domestic Violence Agency's Holiday Needs Drive

Submitted by RESPOND, Inc.

RESPOND, Inc., a pioneer in the movement to end domestic violence, has announced its Holiday Needs Drive for the survivors of domestic violence they serve.

As many people give and receive gifts that they want for the holidays, victims of domestic violence are often in need of basic necessities like food, clothing, and toiletries, having left everything behind after fleeing a dangerous situation.

“Each year, we are lucky to receive an outpouring of support from the community around the holidays,” says RESPOND Executive Director Jessica Brayden. “Many people want to buy gifts to help make the holiday season a little brighter for domestic violence survivors. The best gift we can give the men and women we serve at RESPOND is that of independence and safety, and by providing necessities like gift cards to retailers and grocery stores, towels, sheets, toiletries and new clothing, we give our clients the tools to make a new start in the New Year.”

While many social service agencies will be collecting gifts for the holiday season, RESPOND’s drive is focused purely on necessities due to the nature of domestic violence. In order to escape dangerous situations, men and women often need to leave everything they have behind, from cell phones and bank accounts to clothing and household goods. By giving them these resources, donors enable these survivors to focus on searches for jobs and housing, and moving forward with their lives.

Items that RESPOND is seeking in its holiday needs drive include:

• Gift cards (to major retailers and grocery stores)
• Pharmacy gift cards (survivors often cannot bring prescriptions or insurance with them)
• Toiletries such as shampoo, soap, lotions and other items
• Sheets, towels and blankets
• Personal care items like laundry detergent and cleaning supplies

If you’d like to donate items to RESPOND’s Holiday Needs Drive, please contact Kristen Rice, Events Coordinator, at kristen@respondinc.org or 617.625.5996.  

About RESPOND, Inc. RESPOND provides services to approximately 7,000 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, case management, legal support in the courts, community outreach, and educational programs. Founded in Somerville, RESPOND is New England’s oldest domestic violence agency, serving 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, French and English.