Henry Street Settlement Hosts Domestic Violence Awareness Conference
By Chelsea Jupin
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Elected officials – including District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr., U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer – were among the speakers at Henry Street Settlement’s annual Domestic Violence Awareness Conference held December 10th at the Settlement’s Abrons Arts Center to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Joining them were Hannah Pennington, Executive Director of the Manhattan Family Justice Center and Britta Gilmore, Assistant District Attorney, Special Victims Unit. Additional featured speakers included police officers, domestic violence survivors, and advocates. Representatives from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Public Advocate Leticia James, and State Senator Daniel Squadron’s offices were present.
District Attorney Vance addressed the packed audience, stating, “We come together as a community to see what each of us can do to address this problem. I come here as a community member, just one member of a group that feels powerfully about taking on this problem of domestic violence. Together, we accomplish a lot.”
Representative Velazquez spoke to what she called “an uphill battle” to protect and support domestic violence survivors. “Everyone has to do everything we can – either at the city, state or federal level – to make sure that everyone is protected under the law.”
Henry Street Settlement’s Executive Director David Garza highlighted the Settlement’s efforts in aiding domestic violence survivors in the Lower East Side. “The whole premise of the Settlement House is that a need materializes, and we respond with an action. We at Henry Street respond to domestic violence by giving people a place to stay where they’re going to receive nurturing support and the information, tools, skills and resources to help transition to a much better place.”
Founded in 1893, today Henry Street Settlement provides social services, arts and health care programs to more than 50,000 individuals each year. Among its services are four shelters for families, single adults and survivors of domestic violence.
