Dear Friends of the Women & Family Life Center,

I cannot thank everyone enough for your support during our empowHer gala. Over two hundred people from along the shoreline joined together to empowHer each other throughout the evening and to celebrate the Center's programs and services that help support, empower, and grow those we have the honor to work with. 

From all of us at Women & Family Life Center, THANK YOU!

And now, as we have moved into spring, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is upon us.

Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. Chances are someone in your life is a survivor of sexual harassment, assault, or abuse, even if they have never shared their story with you. Here at the Women & Family Life Center, we support anyone and everyone who has been affected by sexual violence, and we believe in the prevention of sexual violence. 

Please join us and show your support!

Tomorrow Tuesday, April 4th, please join us in wearing teal to show support for those affected by sexual violence. The color teal represents sexual assault awareness and symbolizes trust, devotion, and healing.  

Tuesday, April 18th, we will host a Sexual Assault Community Panel from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Guilford Free Library. Our expert panel will provide the public with information and awareness on the topic of sexual assault.

On Wednesday, April 26th, we again ask you to dress like us and wear jeans for denim day. Denim Day represents the Italian Supreme Court ruling where a rape conviction was overturned due to the fact the victim was wearing jeans and the courts felt she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans.

On Sunday, April 30th, join us at the FCC of Madison as we support the Madison Youth and Family Services Girls United club for their event "Shinning a Light on Sexual Violence." 

You can also join the Women & Family Life Center's Shoreline Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Taskforce, which meets on Thursday, April 27th, from 9:00-10:00 pm in the Center's Carriage House.

Then on Thursday, May 4th, we will start our new support group, Unity. Unity will provide a safe and supportive space for sexual violence victims to work through their trauma with professional assistance. 

If you would like a free teal ribbon to wear thoughout the month of April, please stop by the Center and pick one up!

If you're ever looking for free sexual violence crisis counseling, please reach out to the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence at www.endsexualviolencect.org  24/7 English hotline: 888-999-5545 24/7 Spanish hotline: 888-568-8332. You can also reach out to the Center's Referral Navigators, who can help put you in touch. 

As always, thank you to all of your supporters. We could only do this work with you!

Nothing is Impossible,

Jennifer Wenderoth-Holster, MPA

Executive Director

[email protected]

Nominate Your SHEro Today!

Do you know a woman or girl who inspires others through her actions? She is a person who leads with kindness; she has a desire to help others; and she is someone who is making a positive change in herself, or others in a community? If so, nominate her for a SHEro award.

Your SHEro could be your friend, neighbor, student, co-worker, teacher, healthcare provider or a businesswoman.

Nominations have been extended and are being accepted through

April 12th. Click below for the form and information! Return your SHEro nomination and write up via email to [email protected]

SHEro Nomination Form

Have questions?

Call or email Jennifer Wenderoth-Holster at 203-458-6699 [email protected]

Over 200 Friends & Supporters Enjoyed empowHer!

THANK YOU

The WoodWinds in Branford was the setting for the Women & Family Life Center annual empowHer gala on Thursday, March 23.

There were many highlights throughout the evening. Jennifer Cruet, a longtime friend and supporter of the center, was awarded the Community Partner Award.

Highlights continued with the presentation of a short film entitled The Imagined Life which tells the story of what people imagine life will be like for those seeking help from the center.

Dozens of amazing auction prizes were donated by community friends and business owners for the live and silent auction. W&FLC is grateful to auctioneer John Peters who volunteers his services to help maximize the fun and the fundraising.

The evening was made complete with music compliments of John “Cadillac” Saville, a Chef Silvio menu, smiles at the Esskay Four Photo Booth and lots of dancing!

The empowHer Gala is the signature fundraiser for the center which enables the Women & Family Life Center to provide vital services to Connecticut shoreline residents in need.

We are trilled to share that thanks to everyone's hard work, generosity, and a $25,000 match in honor of Amy D. Jaffe the empowHer gala raised over $100,000 to support the work of W&FLC.

Thank you to all who helped make empowHer 2023 possible!

Don't miss empowHer 2024!

Click here to watch The Imagined Life video that was debuted at the empowHer gala

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Join the Women & Family Life Center tomorrow, Tuesday April 4th for TEAL TUESDAY.

Show your support for sexual assault survivors by wearing teal.

Chances are someone in your life is a survivor of sexual harassment, assault, or abuse, even if they have never shared their story with you. Show your support for survivors of sexual harassment and abuse by wearing teal — the color of sexual violence prevention.

To help create awareness of the issue, The Shoreline Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Taskforce (SDVSATF) will host a Sexual Assault Community Panel for Sexual Assault Awareness on April 18.

Date: Tuesday, April 18

Time: 5:30-7:30 pm

Location: Guilford Free Library

67 Park St, Guilford, CT 06437

This event is free and open to the public.

The panel will include professionals in the fields of advocacy, law enforcement, and partnering agencies. Our expert panel will provide the public with information and awareness on the topic of sexual assault.

Sunday April 30 the Madison Youth and Family Services Girls United will be hosting Shining A Light on Sexual Violence.

This event will be held at the First Congregational Church of Madison located at 26 Meeting House Lane from 6:30-7:30 pm.

We are honored to share that MYFS Girls United has chosen to donate this years proceeds to the Women & Family Life Center.

 Donations can be Venmoed to Melissa Balletto @melissa-balletto or at the event.

For more information or questions please reach out to @myfs.girlsunited.dhhs on Instagram or [email protected]

Unity - Sexual Assault Support Group

Beginning May 4th at 6:00 PM

The Women & Family Life Center in partnership with Women and Families Center Sexual Assault Crisis Services, is pleased to announce their collaboration to bring to the shoreline community a new support group. Here survivors will find a place of empowerment. This group will provide a safe and supportive space for victims to work through their trauma with professional assistance. 

For more information or to register for Unity please call W&FLC at (203) 458-6699 or email at [email protected]

The Shoreline Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task Force (SDVSATF) is a collaborative effort among providers on the shoreline to promote advocacy and awareness campaigns while coordinating resources and aid in the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

The next meeting of SDVSATF is set for Thursday, April 27 at 9:00 am in-person at the W&FLC Carriage House.

If you work within an informed non-profit agency or municipal office, or if you are a private practitioner in the area, and would like to attend, please reach out to Melanie Meyers, Referral Navigator at 203-458-6699 or email [email protected]

Important News to Know

Hurry for Divorce Help

Divorce is hard. If you, or someone you know, is on that difficult journey, please join us at ADAPT, a divorce workshop designed to help attendees learn the tools they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. ADAPT is conducted by a divorce attorney in family law, and she is here to help.

Saturday, April 29, 10-Noon

ADAPT is free to participate, but please register.

It's Time to RESTART

RESTART is a divorce group that so many have found helpful at a very difficult time in life. W&FLC is pleased to announces dates for the next RESTART in-person workshop series:

Monday, May 22, 7-9 pm

Monday, June 5, 7-9 pm

Monday June 12, 7-9 pm

Monday June 19, 7-9 pm

Meetings are led by a divorce attorney/coach and a licensed clinical social worker.

To register, make an appointment, or to inquire about any of Women & Family Life Center's groups, workshops, events, or programs please contact us at 203.458.6699 or email [email protected]

W&FLC Seeks Board Members

The Board of Directors of the Women & Family Life Center invites interested community members to apply for board membership. The Women & Family Life Center is a private non-profit whose mission is to provide resources and education for women and all families in crisis on the Connecticut shoreline. W&FLC seeks board members dedicated to the same philosophy and mission. Board membership provides the opportunity for leadership and the potential for doing good while being active ambassadors for the organization.

To inquire about more board membership, don't hesitate to contact Jennifer Wenderoth-Holster, Executive Director, at [email protected]

Bishop's Orchards Farm Market and Winery

Thank you to our friends and partners, Bishop's Orchards Farm Market and Winery for donating March's round up to the Women & Family Life Center.

Bishop's Orchard has been owned and operated by family members since 1871 and has been a staple to the Shoreline Community. Their unwavering support to the Women & Family Life Center is a blessing.