Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • November 9, 2020 • GIVING GUIDE • Hartford Business Journal 25 ABOUT US Year established: 1977 Annual revenues (most recent fiscal year): $2.6 million Total number of employees: 35 (25 full time, 10 part time) GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA(S) Andover, Avon, Bloomfield, Bolton, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, Ellington, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Hebron, Manchester, Marlborough, Newington, Rocky Hill, Rockville, Simsbury, South Windsor, Tolland, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor TOP FUNDING SOURCES Government Grants (Federal, State, Municipal): 57% Foundation Grants: 14% Individual Donors: 24% United Way: 5% Founded in 1977, Interval House is the largest agency in the State of Connecticut dedicated to ending domestic violence, offering direct services, advocacy, and community outreach in 24 cities and towns, both East and West of the Connecticut River — all at no charge. From its grass-roots beginnings in the basement of a Hartford church by women who wanted to help those suffering in silence, Interval House has long been committed to empowering clients, providing a nurturing and encouraging environment for victims to heal and reclaim their lives as survivors. Because the dynamics of domestic violence are complex and vary from victim to victim, Interval House offers a comprehensive intervention and support program designed to provide clients wrap- around services that are tailored to their individual needs and aimed at their independence so they can go on to live self-sufficient lives free from violence and fear. Interval House's 30 advocates and five administrators provide round-the-clock hotline response; safety planning and counseling; emergency safe house shelter; coordination with law enforcement to reach high risk victims; support groups for adults and children; court and legal advocacy; specialized assistance for immigrant and refugee victims; children's programming; and community education. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your organization? How have your organization's fundraising efforts, giving opportunities and volunteer opportunities changed as a result? Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, calls for help to Interval House have skyrocketed. Instances of domestic violence are spiking as victims are trapped at home with tensions compounded by stressors like job loss, plummeting household income, school closures, food scarcity, and the threat of eviction. Interval House has experienced a staggering 58% uptick in demand for its services since April compared to the same period in 2019, with a 25% increase in the number of victims seeking help. While some agencies have limited the number of cases they manage during the pandemic, Interval House has remained steadfast in its commitment to victims. Staff is undeniably challenged to find sufficient safe housing for families fleeing violence while beds are full; as a result, Interval House has had more clients in hotels this year than ever before. This challenging but critical work is executed by a small team of essential on-site staff and those working remotely, as Interval House's volunteer program has been suspended to ensure the safety of residents. But the silver lining is that hundreds of loyal supporters have stepped up to ensure clients have the services they need during this frightening time. From the innovative Step Up & Stay In Gala in May to the award of dozens of vital grants and a DIY awareness walk in October — the kindness of corporate sponsors, grantors, and individual donors has buoyed Interval House through the seemingly impossible and will sustain the agency in coming months. How have the services you provide to the community changed in response to the COVID's impact? Have you developed new and far-reaching services/support? Because Interval House's advocates are focused entirely on the wellbeing of clients, the agency has spent more time than ever reaching out through calls and text messages to counsel and check up on them. In fact, the number of outgoing calls to clients increased 91% between April and June compared to the same quarter last year — that's 1,700 outgoing calls in three months. Beyond making contact, Interval House advocates are responding with creative solutions to best serve victims as they emerge from quarantine and face post-pandemic lives. Advocates have been working with victims to quickly facilitate solutions — partial rental payments, utility assistance, transportation and relocation needs, food and basic need items — in real time. Despite the additional strain and demand brought on by COVID-19, Interval House is committed to maintaining operations across many areas of programming — all will continue at high quality with increased capacity to respond in these challenging times. Vice Chair Manon Champagne Morgan Stanley Treasurer Mary Bergamo Connecticut Business & Industry Association Secretary Morgan Ferrarotti MassMutual Rochelle Collins, MD Living Well Primary Care Chuck Coursey Coursey & Co. Nilda Fernandez UCONN/CCMC HIV Pediatric, Youth & Family Program Martha Finkel Webster Bank Monica Guinn USI Insurance Services Armando Jimenez Covenant Preparatory School Robert Montecalvo Hartford Steam Boiler Damion Morgan Consultant Barbie Nadal-Cristofaro Hartford Public Schools Faith Palmer City of Hartford Lauren Sigg, Esq. Robinson + Cole Kate Sims Charles River Community Health Charon Smalls CREC Museum Academy Breana Vessichio, Esq. Halloran & Sage, LLP President & CEO Mary-Jane Foster Chair Dawn Andresen The Hartford (Retired) Interval House PO Box 340207, Hartford, CT 06134 | 860-246-9149 (24-Hour Hotline: 888-774-2900) www.intervalhousect.org OUR MISSION: Interval House is dedicated to ending domestic violence and providing services that will prevent and break the cycle of family and intimate partner abuse. We strive to reach all persons at risk and bring about social change. BOARD OF DIRECTORS A fter enduring years of unspeakable abuse by my husband, I started attending support groups at Interval House. For the first time in my adult life, I felt free. I could not wait to go to support group, to share my story, and to receive encouragement. Every week for well over a year, my group provided me perspective, strength, and friendships — things I had been denied for nearly two decades. I was empowered. I credit Interval House for opening the door to my freedom and happiness. And Interval House couldn't have helped me without donors like you. You changed my life. — Survivor Lilian Ijomah , Program Director, Domus Kids Inc, Hartford

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