Recognizing Isabelle Demenge: A Pillars of Change Honoree

Sanctuary for Families

For her exceptional leadership and support of Sanctuary’s Incarcerated Gender Violence Survivor Initiative.

For the past year, Isabelle Demenge has been an incredible addition to Sanctuary for Families’ Incarcerated Gender Violence Survivors Initiative as a volunteer attorney.  Isabelle, a native of Paris, moved to New York City to attend law school and start a legal career and a family. She is the mother of three boys, has worked as a banking & finance lawyer in a major international firm, where she managed its pro bono program, and is also a children’s book author. Isabelle graduated from the University Of Chicago Law School and the University of Paris II. After her studies, she spent a decade in Hong Kong focusing on family trips, photography, and travel writing.  For over a year, Isabelle has been making significant contributions to Sanctuary’s Incarcerated Gender Violence Survivors Initiative, working on cases and assisting with the development of the newest initiative of Sanctuary’s Legal Center.  We are so grateful to Isabelle and her amazing commitment to Sanctuary for Families! Her support to both staff and clients has been exceptional.

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To learn more about Isabelle Demenge and her work, please join us on June 17th from 6:30pm -7:00pm at our virtual Pillars of Change.

Recognizing Danielle Krupa: A Pillars of Change Honoree

Sanctuary for Families

For several years of steadfast support through her non-profit, “Moms for Moms NYC”, providing Newborn Baby Bundles and Postpartum Recovery Bundles to Sanctuary clients.

Several years ago, Danielle Krupa reached out to Sanctuary for Families with an interest in donating items. She explained that she could collect new and like-new items for survivors at Sanctuary, but wanted to know exactly what was needed. The first donations that came in included school supplies, strollers, and yoga pants. As time went on, Danielle started collecting and donating new baby items. Emily, Sanctuary’s Director of Corporate and Volunteer Relations, shared that “care kits” for clients who had given birth would also be much appreciated. Without hesitation, Danielle committed to donating these items at least once a month. Danielle went on to found a non-profit Moms for Moms focused on donating to those who are in need of some extra support. Moms for Moms now regularly donates large reusable bags filled with everything a birthing person and baby could need to start their new journey. Danielle has gone out of her way to support Sanctuary, making sure Baby Bundles and Post-Partum Care Kits are delivered where we need them and that we have enough for all who could benefit from the gorgeous bags filled with supplies and packed with love.

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To learn more about Danielle Krupa and her work, please join us on June 17th from 6:30pm -7:00pm at our virtual Pillars of Change.

Recognizing Melody Kimmel: A Pillars of Change Honoree

Sanctuary for Families

For her pro bono service as a presentation and media trainer for those speaking at Sanctuary’s Annual Benefit.

Melody Kimmel brought her talent as one of the nation’s leading media, message, and presentation trainers to Sanctuary for Families nearly 10 years ago. Every year, Sanctuary hosts our Zero Tolerance Benefit, a 1,000-person sit-down dinner that raises over $2 million to support Sanctuary’s work. Melody generously donates her time each year to ensure that every speaker is prepared to deliver the most compelling remarks, working one-on-one with a gentle approach and a laser-focused editorial pen. Many of our speakers have never addressed an audience of that size, and Melody instills confidence while sharing practical speaking tips with grace and style and always a sense of humor. She is an absolute pleasure to work with, and we are enormously grateful for all she has done to make Sanctuary shine over the years.

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To learn more about Melody Kimmel and her work, please join us on June 17th from 6:30 pm -7:00 pm at our virtual Pillars of Change.

Recognizing Manasi Khedlekar: A Pillars of Change Honoree

Sanctuary for Families

For her devoted, trauma-informed interpreting for a client seeking asylum with Sanctuary’s Immigration Intervention Project.

Manasi was first introduced to Sanctuary for Families’ incredible Immigration Intervention Project (IIP) by our Immigration Specialist, Anne-Cecile Raphael. Manasi was quickly onboarded to work with Anne-Cecile as a Hindi interpreter and translator, supporting one client for over a year. The Immigration Intervention Project provides immigrant clients with legal services that allow them to obtain legal immigration status, permanent resident status, or citizenship. The project represents clients in immigration law proceedings, including battered spouse waiver applications, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases, U-Visas, T-visas, and asylum applications. IIP takes steps to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of the diverse body of clients we represent, and Manasi helped the team do just that – and more!

Manasi recalls her time working as an interpreter, stating “It was daunting to be someone’s voice. The process of gaining a client’s trust, knowing their darkest and most vulnerable moments isn’t easy, and I feel very grateful that I got a chance to participate in an experience that has a positive outcome for the client. Working closely with the Immigration Intervention Project helped me see how much work is done behind the scenes and how government policies that are shaped at a higher level translate to real consequences for people.”

Manasi was an incredible asset to the team and was essential to the success of this difficult case. The client was traumatized, had undergone years of horrendous violence and simply did not trust anyone. Manasi met with the client weekly for months, bringing with her trauma-informed and tactful support. Manasi’s professional experience as a psychologist proved invaluable in her support to this client, and thanks to her involvement, the IIP team was able to build trust with the client and help prepare for the case. Anne-Cecile recalls that having Manasi as a team member made an immense difference not only for the client’s case which ultimately prevailed in November of last year but for the client personally.

“Every time we volunteer, every act of kindness we participate in, we make a statement about the world we want to live in. As a parent, as a human being, I think that’s the most important thing I can teach my kids. I want to thank Sanctuary again for the incredible work they are doing, and Anne-Cecile, and Pooja (Director, Immigration Intervention Project) for being the absolutely formidable team that they are, and for scoring a point for the good guys.” ~ Manasi

We thank Manasi for her amazing commitment to Sanctuary’s staff and clients! Her impact reaches well beyond what can be captured in words.