Adopt a Family

The holidays are a special time of year; a time of peace, harmony and goodwill. Sadly, this isn’t true for everyone, particularly individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence. The holiday season can be extremely stressful for survivors of domestic violence who may be in the midst of fleeing or just getting back on their feet after leaving an abusive relationship. This year is compounded with continuing hardships brought on by COVID-19; with added stress, financial setbacks and health concerns, survivors are facing more challenges than ever before.

To help these families have a holiday season filled with warmth and joy, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center is hosting its annual Holiday Giving Program.

We are focused again on keeping everyone safe and healthy during this year’s Adopt a Family program. Rather than purchasing individual gifts for family members as folks have done in the past, we are accepting online donations (below) on behalf of our participating families. We will use the funds raised to provide families in need with gift cards so that survivors can buy gifts for their family members for the holidays.

How close are we to reaching our total goal?
100%

UPDATE: 

WOW, WE ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE GENEROSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY! WE SURPASSED OUR $10,000 GOAL! 

If you would still like to make a donation, click the link below to contribute to services we provide for survivors of domestic violence and their families at no cost to them. Learn more about these services here.

Thank you!!

Meet One of Our 30 Families that your donation CAN support this
holiday season:

Melissa and her partner had been together years before she realized that she was experiencing abuse. Her partner made sure she did not have a voice in decision-making, was extremely controlling, and very emotionally and verbally abusive. Melissa had become numb to this until she saw her partner start to treat their three children the same way – then she knew she wanted to leave.

After Melissa left her partner, she sought out services at Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center and began to navigate what to do next. She was able to develop a safety plan, work with legal advocacy, and receive mental health counseling for the emotional trauma she endured for many years. She learned skills and strategies to manage her anxiety and has found healing through art therapy. Melissa feels validated through this work and is empowered to create a safe and happy future for her and her children.

Melissa would love to make this holiday season feel bright for her children after a traumatic few years. We are trying to raise $100 per person; for Melissa’s family, this means she would get a gift card of $400. This gift would help her to make the holiday season special for her and her three children.

Update: We have reached our Holiday Giving goal!
Click below to support services for survivors and their families:

More Ways to Support

Help us provide books to families in need!

Donate a Jabberwocky Bookshop Gift Certificate this holiday season.

Gift certificate donations will allow us to purchase books that will help heal, offer education and bring joy to our families in need.

Gift certificates can be left at Jabberwocky Bookshop (50 Water St #22 in Newburyport) for later pick up by our staff. 

Join us at Pop-up Park in Newburyport in early December!

The Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center is hosting family-friendly holiday activities for all ages.

Friday Dec. 3, 3-5pm: Learn more about our community-based services from staff. Kids can participate in a design-your-own Peace pin contest.

Saturday Dec. 4, 11am-2pm: Kids are invited to join Girls Inc. of the Seacoast Area for fun, educational activities.

Sunday Dec. 5, 11am-2pm: Donation drop-off! This year we are looking for bedding and blankets (twin, full or queen size preferred), towels and family games.

We greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity in past years and hope you will consider helping to make sure our survivors and their families are well taken care of during this holiday season!

Questions? Contact Heather at hwiles@jeannegeiger.org