SALEM — For its efforts in abuse prevention and advocacy, Healing Abuse Working for Change, a domestic violence agency, received a 2021 “Above and Beyond Award for Excellence” and $25,000 from The Women’s Fund of Essex County.
The Salem-based nonprofit, Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC), was recognized by The Women’s Fund of Essex County (TWF) for creating social change by taking action against personal and societal patterns of violence and oppression and for helping survivors of domestic violence achieve independence, safety, and a strong sense of well-being. The award includes an unrestricted grant for $25,000.
“We are beyond humbled and honored that The Women’s Fund has chosen to recognize HAWC in this way,” said Sara Stanley, HAWC’s executive director. “The team at HAWC works hard to empower women and survivors because we feel strongly that our community will thrive if survivors have the tools and support in place to succeed.”
HAWC has been providing critical services, emergency shelter, and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence for more than 43 years. It serves 23 cities and towns on the North Shore.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the nonprofit quickly responded to the unprecedented challenges the pandemic brought for survivors. HAWC immediately shifted its services to remote operation, ensuring they were accessible for those who needed them most. The organization has provided more than 1,500 survivors with more than 19,000 supportive services since the beginning of the pandemic.
Wendy Roworth, co-president of the TWF Advisory Board, said that the decision on the award, issued Tuesday, Oct. 26, was unanimous.
“The impact of the pandemic has been uniquely fraught for survivors of domestic violence, with one in three women experiencing abuse. During this health crisis, HAWC has been a lifeline for survivors of abuse in our community,” said Trish Moore, TWF Advisory Board’s co-president. “As we move forward, we must continue to invest in proven safety nets like HAWC, which are doing the hard work because only by coming together can we create a truly safe and healthy future for women and girls in our community.”
TWF has raised and awarded more than $2.8 million since 2003 for nonprofit partners that provide local women, girls, and their families with the resources they need to find success at work, school, home, and life. The Women’s Fund supports a wide range of programming focused on helping women and girls from across Essex County thrive and become more self-sufficient.