Safe Exit
Story
Holiday Giving Program 2024
Adopt a Family
The holidays are a special time of year for many people; a time of goodwill and celebration. Sadly, this isn’t true for everyone, including individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence. The holiday season can be extremely stressful for survivors who may be in the midst of fleeing or just getting back on their feet after leaving an abusive relationship.
This year, we continue to see hardships brought on by the rising costs of living, inability to access legal services, and the housing crisis; survivors are facing more complex challenges than ever.
To help our families have a holiday season filled with warmth and joy, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center is again hosting its annual Holiday Giving Program.
We are accepting online donations (below) on behalf of our participating families. The funds raised will provide families in need with gift cards, so that survivors can buy gifts for their children and family members for the holidays. This program has gotten an overwhelmingly positive response from those we serve over the last several years, so we are continuing with this format.
Our goal is to raise $100 for 100 individuals.
Total goal: $10,000 to provide to families this holiday season.
We are so grateful for your support. If we reach our goal of $10,000, any additional contributions will support survivors’ other immediate needs, and the services we provide to survivors at no cost to them.
Meet One of Our Families that your donation can support this holiday season:
Megan turned to the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center in early 2023 after her husband's arrest for domestic violence and began working with an advocate to prepare for the upcoming trial. During this time, she struggled to manage her son Benjamin's trauma-reactive behaviors. Having witnessed his father's abuse, Benjamin often mimicked controlling tendencies and had difficulty making friends at school. Megan knew he needed specialized support, so Benjamin was enrolled in individual therapy with a Children's Safety Program clinician at the Center.
In one-on-one sessions with his clinician, Benjamin responded well to interventions focused on emotional regulation and developing a positive sense of self. As therapy progressed, his relationship with his mom also strengthened, with Benjamin now taking responsibility for his own behaviors and recognizing her love through her actions to keep him safe.
The Center's comprehensive approach meant multiple teams could work together to provide Benjamin and Megan with all the services they needed. Megan’s advocate became engaged in Benjamin's treatment, teaching Megan skills to support her son at home. As Benjamin's self-regulation improved, his clinician also helped secure funds to sign him up for basketball, where he made friends and further boosted his self-esteem.
Your donation will help families like Benjamin and Megan continue their healing journey and enjoy a peaceful, happy holiday season.
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.
Visit a local business to participate in a gift card drive!
The generous businesses listed below are hosting drives for gas and grocery store gift cards. These will be given to survivors we serve throughout the year to help meet urgent needs.