As another year ends and our Faces of HOPE campaign reaches the halfway mark, we want to share with you the impact your support has had on our clients in 2022.

Through the support of so many kind and generous donors, CFJ has been able to provide much-needed services to thousands of clients throughout the year.

We have witnessed a slow and steady return to “normalcy” since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have NOT seen a decline in the need for our services. In fact, CFJ served over 5,500 clients in the 2021-2022 fiscal year – a 32% increase from the year before!

Not only have we seen a rise in overall clients served, but this year we saw an increase in services provided across ALL CFJ’s programs.

Here is an overview of how supporters like YOU have helped CFJ provide the services that give HOPE to our clients while helping them restore their lives.

Our Annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes

We celebrated our 10th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in 2022, a return to an in-person event since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you to the hundreds of supporters who helped make this walk special as we gathered to express our commitment to raise awareness and work toward ending gender-based violence in our communities.

Sign up for our 11th annual walk, which begins with registration at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 29th at the Fairfield Train Station!

For sponsorship opportunities, email Wendy Mitchell, Director of Development and Marketing, at wmitchell@centerforfamilyjustice.org or call (203) 993-8121.

Inspiration and Remembrance 

In September, author Rachel Louise Snyder spoke at our annual Speaking of Women event. Rachel discussed her book, “No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us,” in which she explores the myths people believe about domestic violence, such as it being disconnected from other sorts of violence.

Your support of this event helped fund critical, life-changing services we provide by licensed therapists for individuals, children, and families in crisis.

In October, The Center for Family Justice – along with hundreds of people from the community – came together to honor the 32 lives lost from domestic violence in 2021 during our multi-town vigil, “An Evening of HOPE and Inspiration,” at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater.

Building Something Powerful

Thanks to your generous support, along with an incredible $865K in federal funding secured through the office of US Congressman Jim Himes, earlier this year we successfully reached our $3.5M goal to build The Empower House, a state-of-the-art domestic violence safe house that will serve to provide victims and survivors of abuse with everything they need to rebuild their lives under one secure roof.

While we have met the fundraising goal thanks to the grant and generous sponsors like you, we are continuing to collect funds to sustain operations of Empower House once it opens. Click here to donate.

The campaign was launched in response to the increased demand for safe shelter CFJ experienced throughout the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our current safe house has been operating beyond full capacity since March of 2020.

Healing through Storytelling

In September 2022, participants in Written Out Loud, one of our Elizabeth M. Pfriem Pathways to HOPE affinity groups, became published authors! After months of hard work, the young authors were presented with their books at our 25th annual Speaking of Women event.

Pro Bono Legal Center

The support of our donors helped CFJ’s two staff attorneys provide over 1,270 hours of pro bono legal services valued at $472,000 to clients leaving abusive relationships.

Through the Pro Bono Legal Center, clients who would have been forced to navigate the family court system on their own, without any legal expertise, are now being connected with the legal services they so desperately need. Most importantly, our attorneys and the PBLC gives our clients a voice and hope that there is life beyond their victimization.

Child Advocacy Center

Your continued support allows us to provide much-needed services to our youngest clients impacted by the trauma of abuse.

In addition to the 210 served through our Child Advocacy Center, over 100 youth also participate in our Elizabeth M. Pfriem Camp HOPE America – Bridgeport and Pathways to HOPE programs. Our Elizabeth M. Pfriem Camp HOPE America – Bridgeport is ranked #1 nationally in positive participant outcomes!

CFJ’s Training Institute 

CFJ’s Training Institute offers community and professional trainings on issues related to domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse. Many of the trainings are provided in collaboration with our community partners.

This year, our Training Institute reached a record number of 6,896 served – a 65% increase from 2021!

 

With my gratitude for your continued support,

Debra A. Greenwood
President & CEO
The Center for Family Justice, Inc.
dgreenwood@centerforfamilyjustice.org
203-334-6154