Events

May 2009
We would like to thank everyone who came out to show their support for victims, and the volunteers who donated their time during the Victims' Rights events this year.  As always, we remain committed to creating positive change, providing available resources, and being a voice for all victims.  Please take a moment to complete one of our 2009 Community Assessment/Stalking Surveys for Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Human Services or for Victims and Survivors.  The statistics will be shared with the National Center for Victims of Crime and the Stalking Resource Center.  We are in need of volunteers!  We will be holding our annual election in November, and need new members to fill several important positions.  If you are interested in volunteering your time on our board of directors or advisory board, please submit a nomination form by October 9, 2009, for consideration.  We are also in need of a volunteer grant writer to help us submit several applications for much-needed funds.  It is extremely important that we secure funding in addition to our fundraising efforts, in order to maintain our potentially life-saving services.  Please consider making a tax-deductible or in-kind donation, so we may continue to help victims become survivors. Make checks payable to: Feel Safe Again, Inc. P.O. Box 490188, Everett, MA 02149.   

April 2009
As always, we would like to take a moment to recognize that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Studies have shown that there is a very strong connection between stalking and sexual assault.  We have always honored murdered victims of stalking, like our sister Sandra Berfield, since establishing this organization in her memory.  We are pleased to announce that in March 2009, we created and launched our new In Loving Memory page.  If you would like to include, remove, or edit a name on our memorial page, please send an e-mail to memorial@feelsafeagain.org.  Prayer cards are also being offered with your loved one's name, and a poem titled "Until The End Of Never" written by the founder. Please go to our Online Store to place an order.  Due to the economy, it was necessary to eliminate several expenses including closing our office in Hudson, New Hampshire.  Please note, we will continue to provide our services throughout the state, including our support group.  Victims, their family, and friends are encouraged to call and schedule an appointment.  We are looking for donated office space within a local college or universsity, so we may establish a Stalking Resource Center on campus.  On April 16, 2009, the founder and vice president of Feel Safe Again, Inc. were invited to give a stalking presentation to students during a criminal justice class at Northern Essex Community College in Lawrence, Massachusetts.  We would like to thank the Dean and Program Director for the opportunity to share Sandy's story.

March 2009
We would like to invite you to join us for the 25th Anniversary for Victims' Rights, by helping us recognize National Crime Victims' Rights Week from April 26th - May 2nd, 2009.  The theme this year is "Resilience, Adaptability, and Hope."  We will be at the State House in Boston, Massachusetts from 9:00am-3:00pm on Thursday, April 23, 2009, with hundreds of organizations throughout the state providing available resources for victims.  We will also be in Concord, New Hampshire on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, for a press conference at St. Paul's Church at 11:00am, followed by several events throughout the day.  If you would like to show your support for victims of crime by volunteering for these events, please contact us at (888) 99B-SAFE or e-mail volunteer@feelsafeagain.org.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please mail checks to: Feel Safe Again, Inc., P.O. Box 490188, Everett, MA 02149.  The 2009 Massachusetts Victim Assistance Academy will be held from July 26 - July 31, 2009.  The MVAA curriculum reflects a new model that helps victim service providers better understand the crime victim’s experience on simultaneous levels...across time, across discipline or system. A brief overview of this innovative model is outlined below. We encourage you to pursue this innovative training experience that alumni have praised for its notable contributions to their personal and professional lives.  Space is limited, and applications are due by May 18, 2009.

February 2009
We need your support for several bills which have been refiled at the State House in Boston, Massachusetts, including An Act Relative to Sexual Assault and Stalking Restraining Orders  (SB 1611) co-sponsored by Senator Harriette L. Chandler (D-First Worcester), and Representative Peter J. Koutoujian (D-Tenth Middlesex) to establish a criminally enforceable restraining order to victims who do not meet the relationship requirements of MGL c.209A, and An Act Relative to the Enhancement of Public Safety  (SB 911) sponsored by Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-First Essex), to amend the current state law to require that Superintendents of correctional institutions notify the state fire marshal, prior to the release or discharge, of any individual convicted of possession of an infernal machine (bomb) or a hoax device.  Please be sure to check back often for all upcoming hearing dates.  Our “5th Annual Benefit Dinner” has been postponed.  Unfortunately, due to the economy we did not receive enough interest or in-kind donations to hold the event.  We look forward to rescheduling the dinner in the fall.  Please consider making an in-kind donation for our silent auction and raffle, to help us raise much-needed funds to help victims become survivors.  If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation, mail checks to: P.O. Box 490188, Everett, MA 02149, or to arrange pick up for in-kind donations, please call (888) 99B-SAFE or e-mail fundraiser@feelsafeagain.org.  

January 2009
We would like to remind everyone that January is National Stalking Awareness Month.  We have launched our annual “End This Silent Fear” campaign in conjunction with the Stalking Resource Center’s educational campaign, “Stalking: Know It, Name It, Stop It.”, in order to educate the public about this serious crime of fear.  It is extremely important that we raise awareness, as well as much-needed funds to help other victims become survivors.  Local police departments are encouraged to request free safety kits and brochures.  We have tentatively scheduled our "5th Annual Benefit Dinner" for Saturday, March 14, 2009 in Hudson, New Hampshire.  A confirmation and additional information will be posted on our News and Events page. Please be sure to check back soon!  In-kind donations for our silent auction and raffle are needed to help us raise additional funds.  Any individual or business interested in making a tax- deductible donation can mail it to: P.O. Box 490188, Everett, MA 02149 or to make arrangements to pick up in-kind donations, contact us at (888) 99B- SAFE or info@feelsafeagain.org.  We are still in the process of creating and launching a new memorial page on our Web site, please take a moment to go back and read our December 2008 update for details.

Please consider subscribing to our bimonthly "Stalking Victims News" for current stalking information, training events and special announcements. For additional information e-mail info@feelsafeagain.org or call (888) 99B-SAFE. 

News Coverage