FAMILY SERVICES INC

Center for victim safety & support cvsscvss provides 24-hour non-residential, comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes through a person-centered approach that supports survivors' rights, dignity, healing, and self-determination. In 2024, 2410 victims of crime found support at cvss, including 276 adult or child victims of sexual violence and 1971 adult or child victims of domestic violence. Cvss staff responded to over 5,600 calls on our 24-hour hotlines, helping community members and/or community partners. With funding from the office of prevention of domestic violence and the office of children and family services, cvss assisted 10 families with staying safe in their home by assisting with rent, utilities, or safety measures such as cameras or locks. Cvss assisted an additional 11 clients and their children with relocating to a new, safe home with the support of this funding.throughout 2024 cvss staff strived to connect with residents of dutchess county and community providers alike, to connect and share information and educate about our services. This year we attended over 20 outreach events from community block parties, pride month events, national night out, to health fairs and professional conferences. Additionally, cvss provided over a dozen training courses to community members and professionals including at the law enforcement academy, office of probation, local hospital staff, and more.cvss staff provided training on trauma informed approaches for working with survivors of crime in crisis and cvss services to mid-hudson regional emergency department staff through early morning training sessions. Additionally, the dutchess county department of probation and cvss staff organized a unique cross training session where valuable information on pre-trial supervision and cvss services including safety planning and the high-risk team were shared with probation officers, members from the district attorney's office, cvss and grace smith house staff, and other members of law enforcement.in april, cvss hosted our 11th annual visions of hope and healing art show in celebration of crime victims' rights week and sexual assault awareness month. This year's theme was "how would you help?". A domestic violence detective from the dutchess county sheriff's office, a town of poughkeepsie police community safety officer and an assistant district attorney from the special victims unit were all honored and acknowledged for their support to victims and being champions in our community for survivors. Domestic violence awareness month was packed with events including the purple light project, where hundreds of purple lightbulbs were distributed across dutchess county to show support and solidarity with victims of domestic violence and the candlelight vigil where community members, staff, and clients walked in solidarity around the family partnership center. The event ended with walkers writing the names of loved ones who have experienced domestic violence on purple flags to be displayed throughout the month of october. In addition, our program collaborated with grace smith house to showcase the clothesline and silent witnesses projects at dutchess community college.in september, cvss hosted a national day of remembrance for homicide victims at family services. The community came together to show support for those who have lost their loved ones to violence. Finally, during the holiday season, cvss partnered with arlington professional fire fighters local 2393 to coordinate the annual adopt-a-family event where survivors of crime are provided with gift cards to purchase holiday gifts for their children and food for their holiday dinner. This year, approximately $15,000 was raised to support 68 families including 147 children.