Mother's Day Card Project

Launched to Benefit the Women's Center of SECT

The Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut is launching a Mother’s Day program in which the public is invited to purchase an original Mother’s Day greeting card to honor the special women in their life and support the Women’s Center in reducing domestic violence. Cards may be ordered by contacting Emma Palzere-Rae, Director of Development, at (860) 447-0366 x203 or epalzere-rae@womenscenterofsect.org. This Mother’s Day program is a great way to honor a mother -- or any special woman – while supporting the work of the Women’s Center at the same time.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, we are reminded that, sadly, not all mothers in our community are safe at home. The Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut is committed to helping families create a better, safer life, assisting over 6000 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in New London County each year. With the Women’s Center Mother’s Day card, each recipient will receive a beautiful and touching greeting while knowing that proceeds from the card go directly to helping other women. Cards are available for a contribution of twenty five dollars; the Women’s Center is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization making each contribution tax deductible.

The greeting card is graced by A Day at the Beach, an original photograph by D. Steven Brito. “An image should invite the eye of its observer. It should also calm the spirit but most of all, it should stimulate the mind and provoke thoughtful conversation, no matter how brief,” says the photographer, who is generously donating the image for the benefit of the Women’s Center. A Day at the Beach is just one of the breathtaking seascape images from the Brito Gallery, located at 156 Kings Highway (Rte. 184) in Groton, Connecticut (at the Ramada Inn). Brito’s photography effectively captures the essence of the natural, suburban and urban settings of New England. The D. Steven Brito Gallery is committed to supporting local charities through the Brito Center Charities. For more information, visit www.dstevenbrito.com.

Minuteman Press is the print sponsor and is proud to deliver a quality greeting card in support of this fundraiser.

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 well as community groups. All 21 towns in New London County are served by the agency.

During 2009, the Women’s Center sheltered 119 women and children fleeing abuse in Genesis House, the emergency shelter for women and children; provided training and support to 56 women and their children in Phoenix House transitional living program; counseled 5,901 clients seeking assistance for domestic violence; and educated nearly 9000 members of the community in strategies to both prevent and recognize domestic violence and sexual assault. Services and shelter staffing are now restored to 24/7/365, making the Women’s Center of Southeastern CT one of few agencies within the state to provide round-the-clock accessibility to its services. For more information about the Women’s Center, visit www.womenscenterofsect.org.