June 30, 2022

Bench Dedication Honors Domestic Violence Survivors

Bench Dedication Honors Domestic Violence Survivors

Pictured from left: Kelley Gilligan, Catholic Charities; JoAnn Douglass, Amanda Haig, and Peter Douglass, Canajoharie Parks & Recreation Committee; and Ambrose Schaffer, Canajoharie Village Trustee

Bench Dedication Honors Domestic Violence Survivors

Canajoharie, NY - Domestic violence survivors were honored this month with bench dedication at Wintergreen Park in Canajoharie, NY. Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties, with the Village of Canajoharie Parks and Recreation Committee, unveiled and dedicated the bench on Saturday, June 11 as a means of honoring and recognizing survivors of domestic violence.

Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties' domestic violence program has supported survivors since 1992. Today, the program provides counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, referrals, support groups, and access to safe housing. Services are free, confidential, and available to survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. 

The dedication comes as Catholic Charities has seen a two-year increase in requests for domestic violence support. In 2019, Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties helped roughly 1,372 callers through its domestic violence hotline. In 2021, the organization fielded 2000 calls, helping women, children, and men with supportive counseling, safety planning, and shelter in a 9-bed safe house in Montgomery County.

Kelley Gilligan, of Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties, said: “While work from home policies helped to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, these measures also deteriorated conditions for victims of domestic violence. We saw women and men alike trapped at home with their perpetrators with little access to social support systems, such as friends and family outside the abusive relationship.  Lockdowns made it easier for perpetrators to socially isolate their victims, which is sometimes used to control intimate partners or family members. We are proud to dedicate this bench in honor of all of the survivors of domestic violence, along with their family members and support systems.”

Vincent W. Colonno, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, said: "Domestic violence is a year-round problem affecting real people in our area. Survivors live with the effects of domestic violence every day and this bench is a small reminder of their strength, resilience, and bravery."

Mary Carpenter, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties, said: "For decades, Catholic Charities has provided support to women and men in need of domestic violence support. I am incredibly proud of our staff in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, who have helped countless families find the safety and confidence needed to rebuild their lives in the wake of domestic violence."

Help is available to anyone in need of domestic violence support:

  •  Residents of Fulton and Montgomery Counties can access Catholic Charities' 24-Hour Hotline at (518) 842-3384.
  • Residents across New York State can contact the NYS 24-Hour Hotline at 1-800-942-6906; residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can dial 711 for assistance.


About Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties

Catholic Charities of Fulton Montgomery Counties has provided services to vulnerable populations since 1976, including children, those struggling with mental illness and/or substance abuse, the economically disadvantaged, abuse victims, and people experiencing homelessness. Catholic Charities continues to expand our services to meet the growing needs of our communities and our services are available to everyone without regard to race, creed, or lifestyle.  

Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties is an agency of the Diocese of Albany.