The Prudence Crandall Center will hold its annual “Silent No More” candlelight vigil Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Community notes: ‘Silent No More’ vigil to honor the lives lost to domestic violence
Staff Reports; Record-Journal Southington/Plainville Community News; Oct. 4, 2024
The event honors the lives lost to domestic violence in Connecticut over the past year and serves as a call to action for the community to renew its commitment to ending domestic violence.
Speakers include Dr. William Petit of the Petit Family Foundation, Bristol Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano, and Court Advocate Daniela Bellows. Music will be provided by New Britain Symphony Orchestra violinist Sayumi Harb.
Light refreshments will be served at 6 p.m.
The center is the only domestic violence program serving Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Kensington, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Terryville.
Berlin’s Carlson spreading awareness for domestic violence
Rob Gullo; New Britain Herald; Oct. 4, 2024
BERLIN — Charley Carlson, a Berlin senior who is an outside hitter and captain of the girls volleyball team, is getting involved with her surrounding community and showing qualities of a leader.
The star volleyball player is doing a project in conjunction with the Prudence Crandall Center, a domestic abuse treatment center in New Britain. She is looking to help raise awareness of domestic violence. During Berlin’s Monday match (Oct. 7) against Lewis Mills, she will be collecting items that will be donated to the center.
Items donated to the cause include new socks (all sizes), new underwear (all sizes), twin size pillow sheets, new pillows, new towels, laundry detergent, new cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, baby wipes, new pajamas (all sizes), diapers, children’s clothing (new), and winter apparel (new.)
Carlson got the idea to collect donations from a family friend who volunteers with the shelter. She said that she was driven to help out people affected by domestic violence because she cares a lot about her community. She’s looking to make a difference early on in her life for people who have gone through hardships.
“I care a lot about my community and women’s empowerment,” Carlson said. “Although I do not have a personal connection with domestic violence within my family, I want to make a difference for those who experience it.”
Berlin volleyball coach Jim Bagley thinks it’s great that Carlson is getting involved with her local community at a young age and hopes some of his younger players will do similar acts.
“It’s great to see her getting involved,” said Bagley. “Any time you get a student-athlete involved like that, it increases their understanding of the world around them. She also is a great role model for all the younger kids in the program. They see her doing things for the community and maybe some of them get involved as well.”
Following Monday’s match against Lewis Mills, Carlson will start to bring the items to the Prudence Crandall Center the same week.
Connecticut Families: Berlin High Schooler organizes volleyball game for domestic violence awareness
Sarah Cody; WTNH News 8; Oct. 3, 2024
BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH) — “My Capstone actually came from my mom’s idea,” said Charley Carlson.
Women’s sports are important to this 17-year-old as are women’s rights and her senior project at Berlin High School incorporates both of these passions.
“I want to help the community in any way I can and I feel like this is a good way to do so,” explained Carlson, a player on the school’s varsity volleyball team.
Carlson is raising awareness of domestic violence, working with the Prudence Crandall Center in New Britain which holds a Silent No More candlelight vigil every October to erase stigma around this difficult issue.
Watch the full Connecticut Families segment here.
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‘Shop For a Cause’ craft fair to benefit Prudence Crandall Center
Claudia Hilario; New Britain Herald; Oct. 2, 2024
BERLIN — More than business owners, Rosalee Frank and Courtney Johnson shared personal experiences. Three years ago, both decided to support domestic violence survivors through their vendor and craft fair, Shop For A Cause, held on Friday, benefiting The Prudence Crandall Center (PCC).
“We opened our salon (The Color Platform) with the intention of building up not only our brand but most importantly our community,” Frank told the Herald. “We figured creating this event could achieve three things: promote local business, spread awareness of domestic violence in addition to providing resources, and most importantly, raise monetary and physical donations for PCC.”
For the full story, read the print or e-edition of the New Britain Herald.
Charity mini-golf event at Hidden Valley
Claudia Hilario; New Britain Herald; Sep. 10, 2024
NEW BRITAIN — The local nonprofit organization Prudence Crandall Center invites community members to its charity mini-golf event Thursday at the Hidden Valley Miniature Golf, 2060 West St. Southington, and is encouraging attendees to register today.
The event, scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m., has a participation fee of $10 per golfer. It will allow participants to show their mini-golf skills and contribute to PCC’s mission and programs.
Read full story in the print or e-edition of The Herald.
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.