WELCOME LETTER Dear Friends, The Beauty of Survival celebrates the strength and triumph of survivors as well as of those who support them. We take this moment each year to reaffirm why we exist, and for whom. With great admiration, we recognize each survivor’s unique story as they walk through our doors. We have seen them overcome the pain of domestic abuse, from the bruises and injuries of physical violence to the internal marks left by sexual and emotional trauma. We listen, with care, and support them as they heal, develop, and thrive. VIP is committed to combating the stigma and misconceptions surrounding domestic violence by raising social consciousness and strengthening community. Through our programs and campaigns, we are changing minds and opening hearts to a different way of thinking about gender violence – one that recognizes our collective responsibility in the healing process. We also celebrate and honor those in the community who with their efforts and example, contribute to our work and make this a better City. Without them, we would not exist. This year has been a year of insecurity, as we have seen a rise in acts and speech of hate directed at immigrants, Latin@s, and women. Nevertheless, our resilient clients continue to defy the odds on their path to safety. We have not been deterred either – in FY16 alone, we reached 20,129 individuals and received 7,305 calls on our hotline. We could not continue to ensure our clients get the services and resources they need without the help of our strategic partners and supporters and our dedicated staff. Thank you for all that you do to help us to nurture the strength in our families and communities.
Cecilia M. Gastón Executive Director
Silda Palerm
Chair, Board of Directors