Elizabeth Freeman Center is thrilled to introduce four incredible new members of its board of directors. Please join us in welcoming Myla Franklin, Laurie Gallagher, Christine Macbeth and Tess Sorrentino to the EFC family!

Franklin is a community leader and grassroots organizer with 10 years of experience in project management, advocacy and relationship building. She is currently the Community Lending Officer at Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Gallagher is an attorney who served as senior counsel for 25 years for GE and Sabic. She has served locally as interim CEO and Board Chair for Berkshire United Way and as a mentor at 18 Degrees.

Macbeth has over 35 years of experience working in social services and health care agencies 15 of which were at the Brien Center where she served as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Sorrentino is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Adams Community Bank. A 40 under 40 honoree, she is involved in many Berkshire non-profits, and a past Volunteer of the Year for St. Vincent de Paul Parish and Unico of Pittsfield.

All four members bring their exceptional skills and their shared passion to advance the mission of Elizabeth Freeman Center, which for the past 50 years has provided life changing services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The following was presented by North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey at the Rise Together community walk on Thursday, September 17, 2024, in front of City Hall.

CITY OF NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS

Office of the Mayor
Jennifer A. Macksey

A Proclamation Designating October 2024
as
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Whereas, Domestic violence affects millions of people across the United States, regardless of age, race, gender, or socio-economic status, and every community must actively work to protect its citizens from the pain and suffering caused by this pervasive issue; and

Whereas, The City of North Adams recognizes that domestic violence is not just physical but can include emotional, financial, and psychological abuse, deeply impacting survivors and their families; and

Whereas, The City of North Adams remains committed to raising awareness about domestic violence, educating our community about the importance of supporting survivors, and advocating for the necessary resources to assist those in need; and

Whereas, During the month of October 2024, we reaffirm our commitment to ending domestic violence and encourage every resident to learn more about how they can help prevent this issue, support survivors, and promote a culture of respect and safety for all individuals; and

Whereas, We recognize the tireless efforts of local organizations, law enforcement agencies, and community members who work together to provide assistance and safety for victims of domestic violence, including shelters, hotlines, counseling services, and legal aid; and

Whereas, The City of North Adams supports local initiatives and programs that aim to stop the cycle of violence through prevention, education, intervention, and advocacy; and

Whereas, It is crucial to create a society where all individuals feel safe in their homes and relationships, free from the threat of violence or abuse;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jennifer A. Macksey, Mayor, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH in the City of North Adams and call upon all residents to work together to prevent domestic violence, support survivors, and stand against abuse in all forms.

Jennifer A. Macksey
Mayor

EFC needs your voice!

Like other survivor services providers in Massachusetts, we rely on federal dollars from VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) to fund some of our most vital programs. But this year, the Crime Victims Fund sits at a historic low, leading to a drastic decrease in the amount of funding awarded and leaving states to make up the difference.

The VOCA Bridge is a multi-year legislative fix proposed by the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA). So far, the state legislature has funded $40 million of MOVA’s $60 million request; but without the remaining $20 million, organizations like EFC will still face devastating cuts to already strained budgets.

What does the VOCA Bridge mean for EFC?

Elizabeth Freeman Center relies on federal funding from VOCA to operate some of its most vital programs, including those that keep our clients safe and our services accessible.

• SAFEPLAN sites specially trained and certified advocates in Northern, Central and Southern Berkshire district courts as well as Berkshire Probate and Family Court, to help survivors seeking protection orders. We provide survivors with safety tools like new locks and security cameras, emergency food and rent assistance, and safe shelter in cases of extreme danger.
• The LGBTQ Access Project supports part-time, specially trained counselors in all three EFC offices to meet the specific needs of LGBTQ survivors, who historically have been overlooked by sexual and domestic violence programs. We maintain a close partnership with Berkshire Pride, and host an LGBTQ Action/Advisory group to connect with community leaders and activists.
• The Rural Access Project addresses the unique challenges faced by survivors in rural communities. It makes it easier for clients across the county to reach us, by funding staffing in our North Adams and Great Barrington offices, increasing our bilingual service capacity in South County, and supporting economic and housing advocacy efforts in an area where places to live can be literally few and far between.

Each of these programs serves hundreds of survivors and their families each year, and the numbers continue to rise. But funding for SAFEPLAN has stayed flat for three years; the Victim and Survivor Services (VSS) Grant that supports our LGBTQ and Rural Access Projects has been level-funded for the past two. We are already stretched to our limit.

Without the Bridge, EFC could suffer a 30% reduction in our budget. That means crippling cuts in staffing, program availability, and material assistance for clients in need – losses we simply cannot afford to take.

But there is still hope. Governor Maura Healey has introduced a supplemental funding bill (H.4496) to the Legislature that includes the remaining $20 million investment to fully fund the VOCA Bridge. We need our supporters to speak out in support of the VOCA Bridge, by contacting your elected officials or spreading the word on social media.

How to tell lawmakers that we need the VOCA Bridge

Click here to find your legislators

(In Berkshire County, our legislators are Senator Paul Mark and Representatives John Barrett, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and Smitty Pignatelli.)

Make a phone call

Click here for a sample call script.

Send an email

Click here for an email template.

Post to social media

Right-click the image below to save it to your device and repost on your social media platform of choice, then copy and paste the suggest caption below – or write your own.

Suggested Caption

#VOCABridge is an initiative that aims to bridge the federal funding gap for victim service organizations. This funding is essential to mitigate the disastrous cuts that over 90 victim service programs in Massachusetts are facing. This issue matters to me because, [in 1-2 sentences explain why this issue matters to you, how VOCA-funded programs have impacted you or your community, or if you’re comfortable, share a piece of your story and/or identity as a survivor].

Governor Healey introduced a supplemental funding bill (H.4496) to the Legislature that includes the remaining $20M investment that would fully fund the #VOCABridge. Support the passage of H.4496 and its inclusion of  the VOCA Bridge to help ensure the sustainability of services for survivors. #FullyFundVOCABridge #mapoli  [tag legislators (Click here to find your legislators’ social media handles)] [tag @massmova]

More about the VOCA Bridge

VOCA Bridge 101- Learn About the VOCA Bridge and Why it is Important

VOCA Bridge Fact Sheet

How Does the State Budget Process Work?

What is a Governor’s Supplemental Budget?

At Elizabeth Freeman Center, we stand behind a “Yes” vote on Question 3, to maintain protections for trans and non-binary members of our community. We all deserve to be safe, wherever we go, however we look, whoever we are. This law supports our deeply-held belief that no one should suffer harassment, violence, or discrimination based on gender. We hope you will stand with us on November 6 in voting “Yes”.

In supporting Yes on 3, we are joined by other organizations across Massachusetts, including law enforcement such as the Pittsfield and Lenox Police Chiefs, anti-violence organizations including Jane Doe Inc and The Network/La Red, elected officials including North Adams Mayor Tom Bernard, Attorney General Maura Healey and Governor Charlie Baker, and newspapers including the Berkshire Eagle and the Boston Globe. We hope you join us in voting “Yes” on 3.

Please remember that a Yes vote will uphold our current non-discrimination protections, and that this question may be on the back of your ballot!