October 23, 2017
Kristin's Fund, which was established to honor the life and legacy of Kristin Palumbo Longo, announces that Catholic Charities of Herkimer County is being awarded its first domestic violence prevention and education grant. The grant, which was derived from donations and proceeds from the inaugural Kristin's Fund Gala, is going to fund a full-time community educator/outreach coordinator to serve Herkimer County. "This new position was created to provide education to schools and other organizations and promote a coordinated community response to domestic violence prevention," Maureen Petrie, executive director of Catholic Charities Herkimer County, said. "This collaboration with Kristin's Fund will tremendously benefit our community."
According to a July 2017 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strategies to prevent intimate partner-related homicides include the development and implementation of prevention programs and policies. In alignment with the CDC recommendations and through partnership with Kristin's Fund, Catholic Charities of Herkimer County will now have concentrated efforts on community awareness, prevention and education, according to Jackie Ward, domestic violence program director at Catholic Charities Herkimer County.
"Domestic violence is more prevalent among women than diabetes, breast cancer, and cervical cancer combined," Ward said. "Our goal is to start prevention education while children are in school so they develop skills to avoid unhealthy relationships".
Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, located on 61 West Street in Ilion, New York, offers crisis and support services to victims of domestic violence in addition to community education and training. "Kristin, my brother and I grew up in Frankfort," Gina Pearce, co-founder of Kristin's Fund said. "Since that is where Kristin spent her formative years, we felt that helping to educate youth about healthy relationships and intimate partner violence in Herkimer County was a great place to start, with Oneida, Otsego, and other bordering counties to follow."
The mission of Kristin's Fund is to serve as a catalyst for community collaboration and fund programs and services that focus on domestic violence awareness, prevention and education. "To continue our efforts and to do what we can to prevent another family from losing a loved one by raising awareness, we're excited to announce the date of our next fundraising gala," Joe Palumbo, Kristin's Fund co-founder, said. "Save the date for Saturday, March 10 at Turning Stone Resort Casino. We are again expecting celebrity and athlete guests and another full house in remembrance of Kristin and to help our community."
In 2016, the domestic violence program at Catholic Charities of Herkimer County provided services to approximately 500 individuals. The 24-hour hotline received 1,300 calls and 50 individuals found safety and support in confidential safe dwelling. Catholic Charities of Herkimer County is a 501(c)3 organization. Kristin's Fund is fiscally sponsored by The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. www.kristinsfund.com
