A SEASON FOR THANKS AND GIVING

It’s our experience the community is quite generous throughout the year and makes a significant positive impact on the children, teens and adults we assist. We continuously 'Give Thanks' to YOU, our donors, friends, supporters and partners.

There’s no question the upcoming months of harvests, holidays, family gatherings, cold weather, and commitments to annual giving elevate many to extend their generosity. 

The wonderful thing about giving is it has the power to bring joy and fulfillment to both the giver and receiver. Giving takes many forms, whether it's giving your time, attention, resources, or even just a kind word or gesture. Giving fosters a sense of connection; feels good; makes a positive impact; sets an example; aligns with our values; leads to personal growth; and can create a sense of purpose.

YOUR giving has the power to enrich the lives of numerous survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their children who might live right down the road. YOUR giving is immensely appreciated and recognized. YOUR giving makes Cape Cod and the world a better place.

Please consider elevating your giving to Independence House over the coming months. Our annual appeal letter containing a personal survivor story of how you help will be in your mailboxes soon. If you don’t already receive our annual appeal, drop a note to donnag@indhouse.net. If you would like to make an early appeal donation now, you can do so by visiting indhouse.ejoinme.org/donation (choose annual appeal in the dropdown). Please consider giving as generously as you can to this important effort that helps us maintain programs and services to between 7,000-10,000 Cape Codders annually. 

Please also consider ways you can help support survivors during the holiday season with in-kind contributions as described further into this newsletter. Please attend one or more upcoming events to show your support for Independence House and survivors.

And please, enjoy the upcoming holidays with your families and friends. 

We wish you joy, health and safety this season!

Donna Giberti,

Director of Development and Marketing

Independence House has numerous families who can be matched with you for the holidays. The number of families you sponsor is up to you- from one family to as many as you wish. Requests for families with certain amounts of children can also be requested. Following the Thanksgiving holiday, your sponsored family information will be provided to you containing a wish list from each family member in your sponsored family. Lists will include details like this example: Boy age 5 likes trucks, hot-wheels, needs pajamas size 6, girl age12 likes Barbie dolls, crafts, size 5 boots, Mom wishes for a new

robe size medium and likes coffee and candles.

Sponsored gifts need to be brought to Independence House wrapped and labeled no later than December 15th with information provided to you. No names are provided in keeping with confidentiality.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP:



THANKSGIVING AND/OR CHRISTMAS MEALS

Provide a full holiday meal to a family by purchasing all the fixings.

Suggested items include but not limited to: stuffing; potatoes (fresh or boxed); canned cranberry sauces; canned vegetables such as corn, green beans, carrots, yams, beans; pie dough mix and canned pie fillings, cookie and/or brownie mixes, gravy, corn bread mix, canned soups, sugar, brown sugar, cooking oil or oil spray. Independence House has the capacity to take a limited amount of frozen turkeys too! (Hyannis office).

NEW / UNWRAPPED TOYS

Families who are unable to provide holiday gifts for their children due to financial difficulties are provided with a shopping room at Independence House where they are able to pick new unwrapped toys for their children and wrap them as they deem appropriate. Donations accepted for NEW unwrapped toys from November 27 thru December 15th (Hyannis office).

GIFT CARDS

Independence House supplements holiday gifts for families with gift cards. Useful cards for families include those from local department stores where children’s clothing can be purchased such as Target, Kohls, Macys, the Gap. Other useful cards include Visa/Mastercard shop anywhere cards, gasoline cards, grocery cards, Dunkin Donuts, fast food, ice cream, etc.

Gift cards should be received by December 15th. (Hyannis office)

Please email donnag@indhouse.net to sponsor a family or inquire about the above giving options.

The Cape Cod Surftones will be singing to benefit Independence House with the kind contribution of the Cape Codder Resort who is providing a wonderful room for the concert. Please join us for the holiday-themed Barbershop Harmony Society's melodies of the Cape Cod Surftones on December 9th at 6:00pm. Monetary donations of your choice will be collected at the concert (and don't forget to bring a new unwrapped toy or gift card). No reservation required. See you there!

We had a resounding response to placing our teen posters is schools and youth centers across Cape Cod. Special thanks to the Superintendents, Principals, and Directors for acknowledging this important resource for teenagers and ensuring placement in their facilities:

Barnstable High School

Cape Cod Regional Technical High School

Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School

Dennis Yarmouth Middle School

Hyannis Youth and Community Center

Lawrence School

Mashpee Middle-High School

Monomoy Regional High School

Momonoy Regional Middle School

Nauset Regional High School

Nauset Regional Middle School

Provincetown IB Schools

Sturgis Charter Public Schools West Campus

Sturgis Charter Public Schools East Campus

If your school or youth center is not shown on the above list and you wish to have posters for teens at your location, please email donnag@indhouse.net.

If you are a business: financial institution, medical facility, gym, health center, faith-based institution, activity center, organization, company, hotel, restaurant, tavern, bar, entertainment venue, or any place on Cape Cod the public attends or visits, we have adult-focused resource posters that can be placed in discreet locations at your establishment such as rest rooms, locker rooms, employee break rooms, etc. Contact Donna at the above email address and we will ensure delivery to you.

We are seeking to fill the following positions: 

• Human Resources-Payroll Admin. Assistant
• Comprehensive Direct Services Advocate working with Adults Teens/Tweens
• Comprehensive Direct Services Advocate working with Adults Teens/Tweens Floater
• Child Care Member
• Domestic Violence Housing Advocate and Case Manager
• Domestic Violence Overnight Advocate

Please visit the Employment Page on the Independence House website for full job descriptions and details on how to apply.