EMPOWER. EDUCATE. ELIMINATE. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
our mission. The mission of The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education (“The Center�) is to provide counseling and support services to victims of sexual assault and to eliminate sexual violence through community-wide education programs. Our confidential services are accessible around the clock, and available in both English and Spanish. Through our crisis hotline, individual short-term counseling & advocacy, support groups, and community-wide prevention education programs, we directly served more than 20,000 people in Lower Fairfield County over the last year alone. The Center supports children and adults in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton.
dear friends It is a pleasure to share The Center’s 2013-2014 annual report with you. We have had an amazing year, and your generosity has helped us touch the lives of many. We’ve seen positive changes around the issue of sexual violence and are in the midst of a gradual social movement that will result in a healthier community. The Center has been a driving force behind this movement for 35 years. As a supporter of The Center, you are a true agent of change and partner in our efforts. The media is shining a white-hot spotlight on sexual assault. Recent news stories portray the ordeals that survivors endure on their path to recovery. These grim accounts also make us aware of the importance of prevention. With sexual violence no longer able to hide in the
shadows, the need for The Center’s counseling, advocacy, and education programs have become even greater. The pages ahead hold stories of The Center’s journey. Learn about the recent growth in our services. Experience our impact through the eyes of a volunteer, a survivor, and a teacher. Read our words of gratitude to all of the amazing organizations and individuals who make our work possible. And share our pride for how far we’ve come. Progress has been made, but there is still so much work to be done. Our wish is a world where sexual violence is eliminated. Thank you for believing in the work we do.
Ivonne Zucco Executive Director
Betty Brennan President, Board of Directors
our hotline services
(203) 329-2929 For over 35 years, The Center’s hotline has been the first step toward recovery for thousands of victims of sexual assault in Lower Fairfield County. We also have a hotline dedicated to those who speak Spanish. Our Certified Sexual Assault Crisis Advocates complete a 35-hour, intensive training program, helping them to listen, empower and connect callers to the resources they need. Hotline volunteers are qualified to meet clients at hospitals and police stations and are an integral part of operations at The Center.
319 calls received last year
WE ARE HERE when and where our community needs us
THE CENTER • ANNUAL REPORT 2014
Why I Volunteer As a hotline volunteer, I am proud to be a member of The Center’s incredibly qualified, sensitive and dedicated team. Supporting victims in a moment of crisis is a very rewarding experience for me. I offer help to victims by listening to and validating their feelings, advocating for them at the hospital or police station, or by simply reassuring them that they are not alone. It is wonderful to give back as a volunteer, and lead people to a path of empowerment and healing.
Lisa Crowley, Hotline Volunteer
crisis counseling and advocacy Anyone affected by sexual assault may receive up to 12 sessions of one-on-one crisis counseling at no charge. Our highly trained counselors will meet clients at our Stamford office or in the community, striving to make it as easy as possible to get the help they need. We also provide support groups to survivors and their families. Last year, The Center provided 451 individuals with confidential crisis counseling services (an increase of 7% over the prior year). We strongly believe in empowering clients and supporting them in making their own decisions, and respect the right of each person to choose their own path in the healing process.
36%
20%
of our clients are latino
of our clients are male
HOW THE CENTER HELPED ME Simply put: The Center saved my life. I was a child victim of sexual violence and also came from an abusive environment. For years, I hated who I had become, struggled with relationships, and hid all of my pain behind a smile. Two years ago I hit rock bottom. As my last hope, I stumbled upon The Center. There, I went to my first ‘adult survivors’ group and started receiving free counseling. For the first time ever, I didn’t feel alone. I met people who understood exactly how I felt. I started to thrive, and it was amazing how quickly I found all the reasons to continue living and fighting. With the support of The Center, I have realized what a great person I am and the potential in my life. I am no longer a victim. I am a survivor!
Cora Delibertis
prevention education Prevention education is critical to putting an end to sexual violence. Our prevention workshops are available in English and Spanish to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as to parents, professionals, college students, and other community members. We are proud to work closely with local law enforcement and medical professionals to ensure that they have the training required to effectively handle cases involving sexual assault. Last year, we nearly doubled the impact of our prevention education program by providing presentations to nearly 20,000 people. We believe that the best way to address sexual violence is to educate and engage the entire community.
we provided
19,908 people with prevention education last year
THE CENTER • ANNUAL REPORT 2014
WHY PREVENTION EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT I have been teaching health education in the Norwalk Public School system for over seven years. While I have always spoken to my students about sexual harassment and sexual abuse, I never felt I was addressing it in the best way possible. Since 2013, The Center’s prevention education team has been doing a tremendous job informing my classes about this delicate subject. By discussing real-life examples, they empower students to put these topics into perspective. As long as I am an educator, The Center will be coming into my classroom to teach my students both why sexual violence occurs, and what to do about it.
“Technology has given our students access to more things than we could possibly censor or control. Our students rely on skills and lessons learned in order to keep themselves safe. The Center’s prevention education programs are an important tool in gaining these skills.” – Jennifer Williams-Argenio, Social Worker, Rogers International School, Stamford
Sean Ireland, Health Teacher, Norwalk Public Schools
who we are The Board of Directors
Our Staff
Betty Brennan President
Jessica Buchanan Outreach & Prevention Coordinator
Kim Hekking Vice President
Chris Carlino Prevention Educator
Patricia Devine Treasurer Joan Lombardozzi Secretary Clifton E. Benham Michelle M. Diliberto Melissa Gallaher-Smith Kathy O’Neill Kimberly Scardino Tuesday Tamburri Bonnie Verses Gayle Weinstein
Our Management Team Ivonne Zucco Executive Director Setta Mushegian, MSW Director of Crisis Counseling & Advocacy Ann McCarthy Director of Development & Communications
Raquel Lopez Counselor/Advocate Ingrid Pasten, MSW Counselor/Advocate Coral Strother Volunteer Coordinator
Our Hotline Volunteers Hayley Andersen Charlotte Bennett Annette Bentine Jill Bull Jackie Byron Tabatha Cannata Maureen Caswell Yellka Chaparro Gweneth Clement Lisa Crowley Cora Delibertis April DeMaio Valerie Derisme Kathy Dinnie Bridget Elliott Brianna Gaddy
Pam Graber Andrea Greenwald Tracy Guglieri Samantha Higgins Angela Hill JoAnn Hughes Saumia Johnson Amy Kaplan Tricia Lewis Siobhan Lugo Brittany King Maria Mallozzi Riesa Minakan Barbra Scott Katherine Tan Minnelly Vasquez
Back Row (left to right): Jessica Buchanan, Outreach and Prevention Coordinator; Ingrid Pasten, Counselor/Advocate; Raquel Lopez, Counselor/Advocate; Chris Carlino, Prevention Educator Front Row (left to right): Ann McCarthy, Director of Development & Communications; Ivonne Zucco, Executive Director; Setta Mushegian, Director of Crisis Counseling & Advocacy
financials
annual appeal
4%
OPERATING REVENUE Connsacs*
$180,536
United Ways
$42,540
Other Grants & Contributions
$163,552
Special Events
$121,861
Annual Appeal
$24,029
Total Operating Revenue
$532,518
OPERATING EXPENSES Counseling and Advocacy Services
$247,471
Prevention and Education Programs
$145,715
Management and General
$80,840
Development
$53,079
Total Operating Expenses
Spec
23% special events
34% CONNSACS*
31%
other grants & contributions
Othe
Unite
CON
8% United Ways
Annu
OPERATING REVENUE
$527,105
development
15%
10%
Man
management & general
Prev
28%
prevention & education programs
47%
counseling & advocacy services
operating expenseS *Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services
Coun
Deve
“
My time is very limited, but The Center is one organization I feel it is important to be a part of. No town in Lower Fairfield County is immune from sexual violence. The work done by The Center around this community concern is monumental.” – Gayle Weinstein, Board Member, First Selectman, Weston, CT
Three Year Revenue Trend
$200,000
2014 2013 2012
$150,000
$100,000
all financials are based on year ended June 30, 2014 $50,000
$ CONNSACS
United Ways
Other Grants & Contributions
Special Events
Annual Appeal
our contributors Our work is possible only with the support of people like you, our corporate friends, and our community partners. Thank you for your generosity and for believing in our mission! $20,000 and above City of Stamford Hedge Funds Care United Way of Greenwich
$10,000 - $19,999
City of Norwalk Patricia Devine and Scott Leahy Debbie and Bryan Dietz for The William and Sylvia Silberstein Foundation, Inc. Priceline.com Kimberly Scardino Shenkman Capital Management, Inc. United Way of Western Connecticut Wells Fargo
$5,000 - $9,999
American Express Gift Matching Program Betty and Eric Brennan Lisa and Tom Butler Michelle and Michael Diliberto Laura Elliott and Dan Tubert Fairfield County Community Foundation, Inc. First County Bank Foundation, Inc. GE Asset Management New Canaan Community Foundation Kathy and John O’Neill St. John’s Community Foundation Jaime and Kendall Sneddon The Steven A. and Alexandra M. Cohen Foundation Tudor Investment Corporation UBS United Way-Donor Choice Gayle and Seth Weinstein
$1,000 - $4,999
Allstate Giving Program Clifton and Anna Benham Christ Church Greenwich Christine Cognetti Credit Suisse Fareri Associates LP
Kathryn Emmett and David Golub Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund First Congregational Church of Darien First Congregational Church of Greenwich Kim Hekking IBM Employee Service Center Irwin Belk Educational Foundation Juanita James and Dudley Williams Juliska Patricia and Aris Kekedjian Beth and Mike Krupa Adam Kurzer Joan and Mike Lombardozzi Annette Madden-Klein Ellen and Roger Marment Bebe and Len Miller Sara and Dan Mushegian Britta and Denis Nayden New Country Audi Of Greenwich Purdue Pharma Pitney Bowes Global Impact Steven M. Santoro Michele and Kevin Segalla Stamford Hospital Jacqueline Stone Lisa and Ben Sutton Tuesday Tamburri and Derrick Butler Maureen Terry Jacqueline and Howard Tooter V-Day Norwalk
$500 - $999
Sangeeta and Paul Ahuja Fran and Tim Barry Brown Thayer Shedd Insurance, Inc. Jeanne and John Davis General Electric Marilyn and Irving Goldblum Lorriane and Stephen Grasso Sarita and Greg Hanley Nicholas Keyes Jennifer and Mark Lapine Bruce Lassman
Martin Decruze & Company LLP Lisa DeVingo Lone Pine Foundation Nestlé Waters North America Paul Palanzo Kristine and David Reilly Sarah Seelye Betsey and Arthur Selkowitz Jayme Stevenson Belinda Basile and David Wharmby Susan Ylitalo Linda Zukauckas
$250 - $499
Mary and Tim Abbazia Kathleen and Karl Anderson Joseph Baker Jane Blandford Katharine Brennan Heather Breslin Ana Brown Kristen Clark Lynne Colatrella Margaret and Tom Conniff Christine Del Rosario Margaret Devlin John DosReis Janel Downs Mary Fay Laurie and Erik Findeisen First Bank Of Greenwich Stacy Fontana Lynette and Timothy Goodart Amy Gragg Greens Farms Academy Jonida Kapaj Ryan Lee Harold Low Johnnie and Shaun Malloy Sandie and Ron Malloy Libby and Jeff Mattson Dara and Thomas Miles Karie Nishimura
Patricia and Robert Phillips Karen and Espen Rikardsen Cece Ryan Mary and Carl Shanahan Nicole Spada Nicole Steele Peter Tryhane Kate Urbank and Bud Grebey Ariana Villalta Suzanne and Waldemar Zaleski
$100 - $249
Agabhumi: The Best of Bali Sigurd Ackerman Stephanie Aldworth Mary Ammon Natalia and John Anderson Kristin Angelov Mara Arzi Ana Blaze Ann Barnett Linda Joyce Bill Deborah and Robert Boehringer Norris Browne Mark Campbell Wendy Carroll Laura Carroll Nicole Choudhri Laura Cordes CT Moms Online Richard B. Davis Suzanne DeBow Debra DeFeo Katie DeGabriel Melissa DelSavio Suzanne and Ernest DiMattia Marisa DiRusso Tara and Tom Dolan Daryl Driscoll Rita and John Ende Marybeth Estilo Carmen Failla Julienne Fareri Nicole Farzam Brigitte Febbraio Ferguson Library Lynne Fife Michelle and Thomas Fine Virginia and Gerald Fox Celeste Frye Melissa Gallaher-Smith and David Smith
Danielle Garrido BJ and Bill Gedney Sheryl and Philip Gerard Kelly Gervolino Thomas Giangrande Kathleen Gisby Leslie Gold Amy Gold Elizabeth Gott Philip Gulay Marguerite Hajjar Linda Handshy Lynn & Harley Tusa Elizabeth and Douglas Harmon Zerlina Hayes Eileen Heckerling Jason Henry Debbie Heron Duane Hill Christine Hjorth Diana and Peter Hughes Ryan Hirasuna Nasima Islam Anna Karidas Sally Keelan Rachel Kilcullen Tracy Lavery Janet Lee Sharon Lehr Stacy and John Louizos Kathleen Lozier Raquel Lucas Jill Luciani and Thomas Bouchard Nicole Lupo Janice Lyn-Reid Richard Lyons Tracy Malfetano Lisa Maronian Andrea McDounough David McNamara Theresa McRae Jane Meyer Marsha Mifflin Roxanne Mitchell Kim Morgan Diane Moriarty Sabine and Peter Neumann Shanlinder Nichani Rosanne Olsen Anne O’Rourke Harley and Stephen Osman
Lori-Ann Perrault Gulay Philip Sharon Phillips Amie Pymm Marianne Pollak Shelly Ransom Robin and Rick Redniss Larry Rosenberg and Lina Morelli Janine Rust Barbara and Mike Ryan Maryalice R. Ryan Jamie and Richard Santer Elizabeth Schaefer Kirsten Schnappauf Shannon and Joe Schoonbeek Leah Schweller Jill Sendor-Laychak Irene Senter Rema Serafi Marsha Shendell Jami Sherwood Kristen Shortt Jennifer Sileo Danielle Simione Kunal Singhania Jane and Soren Sorensen Edward and Linda Spilka Patricia St. Louis Victoria Trepp Polly and Edward Trott United Methodist Women Laura van Riper Krystyna Vaughan John Vester Marjorie Walker Gillian and Josh Weisman Janet Welkovich Kelly Wheeler Yvette and Donald Wynne Terri and Maz Yaghmaie Candy and Gordon Yeager
Our apologies for any omissions or errors regarding contributions made from July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014.
YOU MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE. Our wish? A world free from sexual violence. Your support makes a difference! Please donate today.
733 Summer Street, Suite 503 Stamford, CT 06901 (203) 348-9346 www.thecenter-ct.org