REACH Beyond Domestic Violence Gets Grant from AG

WALTHAM, MA — A domestic violence prevention organization based in Waltham is among six in the state receiving funds from Attorney General Maura Healey, she announced this week.

The domestic violence and sexual assault (DV/SA) prevention organizations are receiving more than $250,000 in grant funding to partner with and provide support to schools participating in Game Change: The Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership.

The grant recipients are: Womanshelter/Compañeras in Holyoke, Pathways for Change, Inc. in partnership with the YWCA of Central Massachusetts in Worcester, the YWCA of Greater Lawrence, REACH Beyond Domestic Violence Inc. in Waltham, New Hope, Inc. in Attleboro and Independence House, Inc. in Hyannis.

“These organizations do exceptional work providing prevention education to communities and resources to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across our state,” said AG Healey in a statement. “As we begin training students and school personnel in the fundamentals of healthy relationships and how to recognize signs of abuse, it’s important that schools are supported with access to crisis intervention and counseling services. These and many other great organizations are on the front lines, and they bring an invaluable expertise to this initiative.”

REACH Beyond Domestic Violence is an organization that works to advance the safety, healing and empowerment of those who experience domestic or relationship violence through direct services and education while promoting social justice for individuals and families of all backgrounds.

REACH’s primary service area consists of 27 communities in Greater Boston, which includes Sudbury, Waltham, Newton, Wayland, Newton and Weston, and its shelter and hotline provides help for people throughout Massachusetts.

“Today’s announcement underscores the importance of private-public partnerships, including the expertise of local sexual and domestic violence programs, to support prevention efforts,” said Debra J. Robbin, executive director of Jane Doe, in a statement. “It’s clear that Game Change is serious about changing the way that issues of gender-based violence will be addressed in our schools and communities. We congratulate the grant recipients and participating schools and know that we will all learn from their experience about how best to engage students, teachers and administrators, coaches, and parents to create a culture free of violence and abuse for our youth.”

“Ending sexual and domestic violence is a top priority for our team and our foundation,” said Robert Kraft. “We are committed to supporting both prevention and access to resources for survivors, and are proud to partner with these organizations in that work.”

During phase one, staff from each organization will participate in the regional trainings in their area alongside participants from selected schools. The trainings will be conducted by Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP), a nationwide leader in addressing violence prevention. Run by the Center for Sport in Society at Northeastern University, MVP uses a sports-themed curriculum and employs collegiate athletes and former professional athletes as trainers.

The AG’s Office will select 30 high schools to receive more in-depth training for school staff, students, parents and administrators for phase two of the program, to begin in the fall.

The AG’s Office earlier this month announced the 98 schools that will participate in the Game Change program.