CEE At the Heart of It All Newsletter

At the Heart of It All Newsletter - July 2024 - Issue 2

Letter from our President & CEO

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we embark on a new fiscal year, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism for the impactful work we are doing at The Center for Empowerment and Education (CEE). This time of year is not just a turning of the fiscal calendar; it is a powerful opportunity to spark meaningful change and deepen our commitment to meeting the needs of victims and survivors of interpersonal violence in our community.

The challenges we face are significant, but so are the opportunities to make a real difference. Each day, our dedicated team works tirelessly to provide no-cost critical support, advocacy, and resources to those in need. We are continually inspired by the resilience and courage of the individuals we serve, and we are committed to enhancing our services and expanding our reach to ensure that no one has to face these challenges alone.

But we cannot do this work alone. The strength of our community lies in its unity, and we need your support to fulfill our mission. There are several ways you can help us create a safer, more supportive environment for all:

Engagement: Get involved with CEE by attending our events, participating in our programs, or volunteering your time. Your active participation helps us build a stronger, more connected community.

Advocacy: Use your voice to advocate for policies and practices that support victims and survivors of interpersonal violence. By raising awareness and pushing for change, we can create a society that prioritizes safety, justice, and healing.

Collaboration: Partner with us to bring innovative solutions and resources to our community. Whether you are an individual, organization, or business, your collaboration can amplify our impact and help us reach more people in need.

As we move forward into this new fiscal year, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Together, we can achieve remarkable things and create a future where everyone can live free from violence and fear. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our mission.

Let us seize this opportunity to spark change, uplift survivors, and build a brighter, safer future for all.

With gratitude and hope,

Ashley Dunn MS, MFT, NCC

President & CEO

Thank You to All Our Sponsors, Attendees, Advertisers, Supporters & Volunteers for Being a

Spark for Change

Our Annual Dinner, A Spark for Change, was held on Friday, June 14, at the Amber Room Colonnade. Proceeds support our no-cost crisis intervention and prevention programs and services, including their education and awareness efforts to prevent and reduce interpersonal violence in our communities.

The night began with a warm welcome from CEE’s first-ever Honorary Chairs, Lori & John Berisford, and a fun Rock, Paper, Scissors competition led by their energetic auctioneer, Tom Stebbins. This was only the start of an impressive night of fundraising.

“We were honored and humbled to be recognized and serve as the Honorary Chairs for CEE’s annual dinner, an organization we admire so much and who inspires so many in our community. John and I are confident CEE will continue to change and save the lives of those in need, as they have for the last fifty years,” said Honorary Chair Lori Berisford.

We honored ThinkSisu Communications & Marketing with our Founders Award. The Founders Award recognizes individuals and/or organizations who not only have demonstrated their commitment to our mission but are outstanding community partners at large.

ThinkSisu Communications & Marketing was chosen because of their numerous contributions of time, energy, creativity, and resources to our organization. The company collaborates with us on an ongoing basis to lend its communications and marketing expertise to strengthen the organization. Not only was ThinkSisu Communications & Marketing recognized, but their team also launched the “Turn to CEE” marketing campaign, a concept that includes non-threatening, awareness-building collateral to distribute to targeted businesses that cater to specific audiences, like restaurants and coffee shops.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and an integral part of making this event a success. Please contact Linda Cummins, our Special Events Manager at linda.c@thcenterct.org to secure yours today!

Become a Member or Renew Today Here!

Volunteer With Us!

Everyone deserves to live a life free from violence.

Be a part of the solution!

To learn more about our Direct Service and Non- Direct Service Volunteer opportunities or to complete an application visit:

Volunteer - The Center for Empowerment and Education (thecenterct.org)

The support provided by our dedicated volunteers enables The Center for Empowerment and Education to reach an average of 20,000 people each year.

If interested in becoming a Direct Service volunteer, you must complete a 40+ hour certification training. We will be hosting two certification training sessions this year.

For more information or questions please, feel free to connect with Ann Marie Moreira, Volunteer & Training Coordinator at: Annmarie.m@thecenterct.org

Notes of Gratitude

"I'm sending CEE a small amount of money I was privileged to raise. I have been an advocate for CEE for 28 years. You have touched my heart in ways you do not know."

-Anonymous Advocate/Supporter

Legislative Updates and Their Impact On Our Clients

In the 2024 legislative session, CEE provided testimony in support of the following bills that were passed and signed into law:

· HB 5523 - Public Act No. 24-81 – An Act Concerning Allocations of Federal American Rescue Plan Act Funds and Provisions Related to General Government, Human Services, Education and The Biennium Ending June 30, 2025

o (Originally HB 5322, An Act Concerning the Distribution of Educational Materials Regarding Intimate Partner Violence Towards Pregnant & Postpartum Patients)

(4) Not later than January 1, 2025, intimate partner violence toward pregnant and postpartum persons for distribution by the department (A) in print to each birthing hospital and birth center in the state, and (B) electronically to obstetricians and other health care providers who practice obstetrics for provision to pregnant and postpartum patients. The department shall consult with organizations that advocate on behalf of victims of domestic violence in the development of educational materials pursuant to this subdivision.
On and after January 1, 2025, each birthing hospital and birth center shall provide to each pregnant and postpartum patient the educational materials regarding intimate partner violence toward pregnant and postpartum persons, developed by the Department of Public Health pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (g) of section 19a-59i.

· SB 123, An Act Concerning Coerced Debt

o To (1) provide that no individual shall cause another individual to incur a coerced debt, and (2) establish procedures to (A) review documentation to determine whether debt is coerced debt, and (B) bring an action to establish whether debt is coerced debt.

CEE hosted its annual Legislative Call to Action Breakfast in January (photo below) where our state and local elected officials met with our leadership team to discuss VOCA.

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund was created by Congress in 1984 to provide federal support to state and local programs that assist victims of crime. VOCA uses non-taxpayer money from the Crime Victims Fund (CVF). These funds are generated by fines paid by federal criminals to support services for victims of all types of crimes annually through organizations such as The Center for Empowerment and Education (CEE), serving victims of domestic and sexual violence.

As a result of diminished federal funding due to non-prosecution of crimes and collection of those fines, we are facing a potential nearly 40% reduction of funds across CT. The amount of money allocated to each state from the CVF has dropped, which is impacting how much money organizations like CEE receive to help fund their operations.

The state of CT uses VOCA funding to fund interpersonal violence programming across the state. Connecticut primarily relies on federal funds to serve IPV victims.

CEE self-generates nearly 50% of the funding necessary to keep its doors open and provide its critical 24/7 services. This potential reduction in funds across the state means a reduction in services provided to victims of domestic and sexual violence in CT.

A 40% reduction would mean over 3,000 victims and survivors in our 11-town service area would not receive crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and other life-saving services.

A 40% reduction would mean over 10,000 youth and adults in our 11-town service area would not receive education programs on healthy relationships, consent, conflict resolution, bystander intervention and more.

Unfortunately, we are still facing this uncertain funding crisis and will continue to advocate for ways to fill the gap so that all survivors of interpersonal violence in CT can receive supportive and life-saving services.

Staff Transition

In other exciting CEE news, Cara During, Director of Community Impact, shifted into a Chief Program Officer role. Her role provides the opportunity for continued and intentional collaboration and support amongst all our teams and programs.

Cara has truly dedicated her life and career to the anti-violence movement since 2008. She has experience with 1-on-1 counseling and advocacy to victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual violence, rolled out hotline programs, managed legislative and policy advocacy at the state and federal level, worked in the shelter environment with sex trafficking survivors, and in prevention education spaces. Cara has served victims and survivors in many capacities at CEE. She has worked on the WSCU campus, in the schools, as an advocate, and as an organizational leader. Her vast knowledge and experience will be instrumental in her new role.

Do you want to know what our current in-kind needs are?

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