Our year in review: CU's 2022 Impact Report

“I called Caring Unlimited to find a safe place for my daughter and I to stay because we couldn’t go home. What I got from them was so much more – an advocate who helped me in court, a room in the shelter and then an apartment, a support group to help me with all of the changes, and more.

We got to start over.”

-Ellen*, Direct Services Program Client

Executive Director’s Message

Dear Friends,

“What I got from them was so much more.”

We often hear this from the people we’ve helped become safe from domestic violence. Though they hope for something better when they reach out, they do not imagine the range of possibilities that exist for them. The first conversation with an advocate establishes a critical connection. That is why our advocates are specially trained to connect, understand, and strategize with each caller, just like they did with Tara and Ellen.

This year our staff and volunteers worked alongside almost 2,000 survivors to meet their unique needs, all at no cost and with no time limits on services. Volunteers contributed 2,449 hours of service, ensuring 24/7 access to support, safety planning, and resources through our helpline. You can read more about this life-changing service on page 5.

Our comprehensive array of direct services and access to emergency funding sources gave survivors more options to find safety and the stability to work towards long term goals for economic well-being.

While we are here to help one person, one family, at a time find safety, we also recognize that an individual’s experience of domestic violence takes place in a larger cultural context where violence and oppression are allowed to persist. Each caller’s experience is both unique and not unique at all. That is why we also work alongside all of you to enact social change to end domestic violence. It has been a joy to return to these activities in person. This year, our education team reached more than 2,000 teens and adults at schools, businesses, other non-profit organizations, and faith communities.

We expanded youth prevention work and collaboration with youth serving agencies thanks to a Youth Dating Violence Prevention grant from the Office of Violence Against Women. As one of just 16 organizations nationwide awarded this grant, we are on the forefront of efforts to engage youth and youth serving adults in the work of ending domestic and dating violence.

We continued our work to be an accessible, trauma informed, and culturally responsive organization. All staff received training on cross-cultural competency, we completed an accessibility audit of our shelter to identify access needs for people with disabilities, and we made substantial updates to our organization’s policies to reflect our commitments.

We came back together for our annual Atlantic Plunge, 5K run/walk, and our Community Appreciation reception. I loved talking with you at these events. I heard so many stories of how Caring Unlimited made a difference to you and your friends and family. I drew inspiration from your experiences, ideas, and actions to create a thriving future of unlimited possibilities for all.

I hope you enjoy reading these highlights from our work together over the past year. We have so much to be proud of and so much yet to do!

Thank you,

Susan Giambalvo

*Client names changed to ensure confidentiality