Learn More About RESPOND’s Resources
Published May 2023
Photo Credit: Leah Criker-Stark
Tell us a little about RESPOND’s work in the community.
RESPOND partners with individuals, families and communities to end the serious public health issue of domestic violence. RESPOND strives to achieve its mission through prevention, intervention and education services that promote safe, healthy relationships. It takes all of us to end domestic violence, and we're proud to do this work with you in our community!
What inspired you to start a business? How did this feeling grow once you actually started your business?
RESPOND was started by four Somervillian women as a grassroots effort to support victims of domestic violence. They began by opening their own homes as safe havens for women fleeing abuse, running support groups, and offering co-counseling sessions. From these humble beginnings, we have grown to an organization with a budget over $3M that serves survivors of all genders who seek support in a variety of ways.
Today, we operate a confidentially-located emergency shelter and run our counseling and housing advocacy services out of our Community Service Center in Union Square. We also have advocates embedded at six neighboring police departments (Malden, Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, Woburn, and Wilmington) and at the Suffolk County House of Correction, where we support survivors who are detained or incarcerated there. Thanks to support from our generous community, we are able to ask survivors, "how can I help?" and are able to respond nimbly to meet those needs.
What aspect of your business makes you most proud to be a business leader in our community?
Union Square residents and businesses really care about each other and our shared community. We are the most proud when we meet people around the City who say, "I volunteered with RESPOND when I was in college", or "I stayed at the RESPOND shelter when I was a kid", or "The community I found in RESPOND's support group helped me heal". It is a gift to hear from our neighbors all the ways RESPOND has intersected with and impacted their lives. It really takes a village to end domestic violence and support survivors, and we're grateful to be part of this one.
How do you #LoveUnionSquare?
RESPOND got its start right here in Somerville, with its first official home on Bow Street at the MultiService Center. Union Square holds a special place in our hearts and in the formation of this organization. We #LoveUnionSquare and enjoy taking part in all this vibrant community has to offer. Some of our favorites are What the Fluff? Festival, the Big Gay Dance Party and, of course, the USMS Farmers Market!
Is there anything else you think a Square customer would like to know?
All of RESPOND's services are free, confidential and available to anyone.