17th Annual Men Against Domestic Violence Campaign Radiothon to Benefit the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012
5:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

WCTY 97.7 FM
WNLC 98.7 FM
KOOL 101 FM
WICH 1310 AM

NEW LONDON – The 17th Annual Radiothon which benefits the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut will be held on Friday, February 3, 2012 from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The public is invited to listen to the sponsor stations WCTY 97.7, WNLC 98.7 FM, KOOL101 FM and WICH 1310 AM throughout the day to learn more about the work of the Women’s Center and how to support its mission to serve women, children and men affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

Hall Radio on-air personalities, including Jimmy Lane, Shelly Martinez, Dave Elder and Chris Dillon, will host their regular programs throughout the day while interviewing guests who will share information about the Women’s Center, real-life stories of survival and making a difference, as well as discuss how our community is impacted by domestic violence.  Listeners will be able to call in to a special hotline number, (860) 886-1515, to make tax-deductible donations and pledges to benefit the Women’s Center.  Donations will also be accepted on-line at www.womenscenterofsect.org.  Hall Communications and Webster Bank are sponsoring this event.

Speakers during the Radiothon will include survivors, advocates, law enforcement and educators who work with these issues on a regular basis.  Also scheduled to speak are members of the Women’s Center staff including Violence is Preventable (VIP) educators; direct service staff who work with victims in the emergency shelter and transitional housing programs, a Victim Advocate in Law Enforcement Program (VALE) who works within the Norwich Police Department and others.

The Radiothon also kicks off the Women’s Center’s Men Against Domestic Violence (MADV) 1,000 Man Campaign, which culminates on Father’s Day with full-page advertisements listing the names of men and boys who pledge to take a stand against all forms of violence against women.  Radiothon donors who make a contribution of $25 or more are eligible to place a name on the list, which will appear on June 17, 2012 in The Day and the Norwich Bulletin.

According to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
•    In the United States, a woman is abused every 15 seconds.
•    Intimate partner violence affects people of all ages, races, ethnicities, education levels and socio-economic statuses.
Locally:
•    Last year, the Women’s Center’s emergency shelter was on average at 101% capacity, the highest occupancy for a domestic violence shelter in the state of Connecticut. 
•    In a recent survey on homelessness, 60% of homeless families in New London County attributed their homelessness to domestic violence.

During the last year, the Women’s Center sheltered 105 women and children fleeing abuse in Genesis House, the emergency shelter for women and children; provided housing, training and support to 16 women and their children in Phoenix House transitional living program; counseled nearly 6,000 clients seeking assistance for domestic violence; and educated over 9000 members of the community in strategies to both prevent and recognize domestic violence and sexual assault.  Hotlines and the emergency shelter are staffed and operating 24/7/365, providing round-the-clock accessibility to the Women’s Center’s services.

The Women’s Center, founded in 1976, operates two 24-hour hotlines, an emergency shelter and a transitional living program for families working to rebuild lives shattered by domestic violence or sexual assault.  The Women’s Center also provides legal assistance, counseling and advocacy, case management, support groups and educational programs for schools as community groups.  All 21 towns in New London County are served by the agency.

The Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut is part of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV).  The Women’s Center is also a Partner Agency of United Way and its programs are funded in part by the State of Connecticut’s Departments of Social Service, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Office of Victim Services, Judicial Branch.

WHAT:     17th Annual RADIOTHON 
WHO:         Benefiting the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut
WHERE:    On-the-air of these Hall Radio stations:
WCTY 97.7
WNLC 98.7 FM
KOOL101 FM
WICH 1310 AM.
WHEN:    Friday, February 3 from 5:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.

SPONSORS:    Hall Communications
        Webster Bank

HOW:        During that time, call (860) 886-1515 to make donations and pledges.
        Donations also accepted on-line at www.womenscenterofsect.org

For more information contact:
Emma Palzere-Rae, Director of Development
(860 447-0366 x203; epalzere-rae@womenscenterofsect.org