Christmas in July: Beacon Prescriptions donates to Prudence Crandall
Claudia Hilario; New Britain Herald; Jul. 27, 2024
NEW BRITAIN — In a warm gesture to his community, Todd DeGroff, owner of Beacon Prescriptions New Britain and registered pharmacist, made a $2,500 donation to support the Prudence Crandall Center. “We couldn’t be more grateful for his support. Financially, he rallies his community to support us every single year,” Carolyn Jasper, chief development officer of Prudence Crandall Center, told the New Britain Herald. “This gift of $2,500 to celebrate Christmas in July is so perfect. I had no idea why I was coming here before today; I was told to wear red, so it was a surprise. He is a tremendous supporter of our Prudence Crandall Center and the families we serve.”
The center reaches 5,000 individuals, adults and children, in New Britain and the surrounding communities yearly, “but about 10,000 through our direct services and our community engagement and outreach offerings.”
This special gift is especially welcome as the agency begins a new fiscal year each July and must raise more than $1 million annually to continue providing essential programs and services to domestic violence survivors and their families. Jasper said the donation will support essential services such as emergency safe shelter, supportive housing, counseling services, support groups, court services for civil and criminal matters, education and outreach programs.
DeGroff presented the surprise contribution to the local domestic violence agency at Beacon’s unique “Christmas in July” event, designed to encourage support for local family-owned businesses, show appreciation for staff, and give back to the local community in a creative way. “I thought it would be great not only to support local businesses but also to show my employees appreciation,” DeGroff said. “I went out and bought gift cards from local restaurants, all family and independent-owned businesses.” The registered pharmacist said each member of his staff had the opportunity to choose a gift card from a hat with a value between $50 and $100. “Those restaurants are independently owned; you can walk, and you can see the owner,” DeGroff said.
DeGroff is a long-standing supporter of local businesses and encourages the community to support them instead of the big store chains where the consumer is treated non-personally. “All independent businesses such as those restaurants and us don’t have millions of dollars and a budget for advertisement. We come to work every day because we are passionate about it,” said DeGroff, who also supports different organizations and events throughout the city.
DeGroff is a long-time Prudence Crandall Center board member, providing dedicated leadership and ongoing critical financial support. In addition to his board service, he is also a member of the organization’s Bright Futures Giving Society. His family participates annually in their Adopt-A- Family holiday program, and Beacon Prescriptions New Britain is a continuing sponsor of Prudence Crandall’s fundraising efforts.
“It is the generosity of individuals, businesses and community organizations like Todd and Beacon Prescriptions New Britain that help us to keep the lights on and the doors open each year,” Jasper said. “Each gift is deeply appreciated and makes Prudence Crandall’s impact possible.” DeGroff and Beacon Prescriptions New Britain’s generosity and partnership in Prudence Crandall’s work continue to inspire others and make a lasting impact for survivors and families throughout central Connecticut.
Call Carolyn Jasper at 860-259-3817 to discuss opportunities to support or partner in Prudence Crandall Center.
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Art Exhibit Radiates Hope for Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors
Kaily Martinez; we-ha.com; Jul. 19, 2024
The West Hartford Art League Club House Gallery held an opening reception on Thursday, July 18, for ‘The Stories of Bravery, Healing and Hope: Survivors Art Exhibition’ produced by Amanda Mendoza.
Art can connect souls in a more profound way than communication can. From July 19 through Aug. 4 at the West Hartford Art League Club House Gallery, visitors will see and feel the “Stories of Bravery, Healing and Hope: Survivors Art Exhibition” produced by artist Amanda Mendoza. At the opening reception on Thursday, July 18, the art gallery became crowded with loved ones and visitors within minutes. The support and admiration for the artists and their work could not only be seen, but it was deeply felt.
Through various mediums, such as films, photographs, poems, or oil on canvas, each artist shares their stories of how they faced sexual violence or domestic violence but are on their healing journey. Next to each art piece is a title card that presents the artist, the title and story behind each piece and details on how art has contributed to them and their healing, inspiring hope and optimism. The exhibit also featured two tables for the Prudence Crandall Center and YWCA New Britain Sexual Assault Crisis Service, where advocates provided resources and support.
Read the full story here.
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Thomaston Savings Bank Awards $150K in Grants
Member News; CBIA.com; Jun. 28, 2024
Thomaston Savings Bank awarded 50 grants totaling nearly $150,000 to organizations in Hartford County. The grants are part of Phase I of the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation’s Grant Cycle. The 48 grant recipients include nonprofit and community groups that are addressing the needs of their local communities. Applications for this round of funding were considered for organizations in Bristol, Farmington/Unionville, and New Britain.
Prudence Crandall Center is among the recipients of this grant cycle. To read the full article, click here.
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Foundation Aids Eight Groups Helping Southington Residents
Michael Lemanski; Southington Patch; Jun. 11, 2024
SOUTHINGTON, CT — A regional, Bristol-based giving foundation recently awarded more than $620,000 to several Southington and Southington-area causes. According to the Main Street Community Foundation, the first cycle of 2024 grants from the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust have been awarded to eight organizations. The total amount awarded is $620,448, all of which will be used to fund programs or initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Southington residents, including:
Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. in New Britain. PCC was awarded an $85,000 grant to support its comprehensive domestic violence intervention and prevention services. These programs benefitted over 230 residents of Southington last year.
The full article can be read here.
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Paying It Forward: Nowakowski family’s big donation
Claudia Hilario; New Britain Herald; May 14, 2024
NEW BRITAIN — To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Prudence Crandall Center announced a special community event and significant contributions aimed at furthering its mission. From its origins in the basement of New Britain’s South Church, the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree and local leaders laid the foundation for what has evolved into the Prudence Crandall Center today.
Read full story in the print or e-edition of The Herald.
Message in Orange: New Britain putting spotlight on Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Jessica Fontaine; New Britain Herald; Feb. 21, 2024
NEW BRITAIN — The Beehive Bridge will be lit in orange until Friday to raise awareness of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
“All too often our teenagers experience abusive, manipulative behaviors from a person they are dating that leave them scared and unsure where to turn,” New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said. “The city’s partnership with the Prudence Crandall Center allows us to do extremely important outreach work so that we can prevent our youth from harmful dating experiences, while also providing them with life saving resources should they find themselves in a dangerous situation.”
City addressing domestic violence
Jessica Fontaine; New Britain Herald; Jan. 9, 2024
NEW BRITAIN — Following the death of 44-year-old Sabrina Finch, who was killed in a domestic violence-related shooting on Dec. 30, the city of New Britain responded with a plan of action and resources for those experiencing domestic abuse.
Mayor Erin Stewart had a meeting Friday with Barbara Damon, executive director of the Prudence Crandall Center, the first domestic violence shelter of its kind in Connecticut. New Britain has been an active partner with the organization for several years and Stewart explained how the city is working to address domestic violence.
Murder of New Britain woman marks 15th domestic violence-related homicide in CT in 2023
Amanda Pitts; NBC CT; Jan. 2, 2024
The latest murder in New Britain marks 15 domestic violence-related homicides for the year of 2023 in Connecticut, according to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Police have charged a man with murder after a triple shooting over the weekend killed one and injured two in New Britain. Police say Antoine Harris shot and killed Sabrina Finch inside of an apartment Saturday night and also injured two others who are currently stable at the hospital. Harris was in a relationship with Finch, police added.
Her death is the second domestic violence-related homicide in the month of December in New Britain. “This murder is just another reminder of the senseless tragedy of domestic violence,” said Barbara Damon, president and CEO of the Prudence Crandall Center. “There are more people than we realize experiencing domestic violence every day.”
Damon said Finch’s death is a tragic loss for the community and was a senseless act of violence. She said there’s an increased number of people who have reached out to her organization for domestic violence services. The Prudence Crandall Center serves nearly 10,000 people a year in central Connecticut.
“It’s been very difficult to keep up with demand,” she said. “We just are struggling to keep pace to the point where we’ve had to use hotel services when the emergency shelters are full.”
Watch the NBC CT news coverage of this story here.
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