Hudson Valley Realtors Contribute To Center for Safety and Change

from the The Hudson Gateway REALTOR Foundation

The Hudson Gateway REALTOR® Foundation (HGRF), the charitable arm of the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS®, recently presented a check for $4,000 to the Center for Safety and Change in New City, New York.

For the past 40 years, the Center for Safety & Change has been offering programs and services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other crimes. The Center provides a 24-hour hotline and residential services at a confidential location. This is Rockland County’s only domestic violence emergency shelter. The Center is also the only crime victims’ serving organization in Rockland.

In-person support, support groups, advocacy and counseling are also available for those in need. In addition, the Center established the “Paws for Safety” program in 2011 to provide a safe haven for pets of clients who utilize the residential and non-residential services and need care for their pets.

The Center also provides community outreach, school-based education, sexual harassment prevention training for businesses, as well customized community and work-based training programs.

“The Center is grateful to the HG Realtor Foundation for generously supporting our staff in assisting victims and survivors to navigate and secure housing,” said Elizabeth Santiago, the Center’s CEO. “Housing for victims of domestic violence is a constant challenge, as many victims/survivors are forced to leave and relocate. Victims often encounter additional challenges after leaving, such as work insecurities due to time off for court appearances and children adapting to a new environment, school and friends.”

Established in 2004 and relaunched in 2013, the HG Realtor Foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities and non-profits throughout the Hudson Valley. As concerned members of the communities we work in, the Hudson Gateway REALTOR® Foundation participates in qualified community-based charities who serve the housing, hunger, health, happiness, and humane needs of citizens everywhere.