2024 Pillars of Change

Join us on April 18 as we celebrate our 2024 Pillars of Change honorees and recognize all of our volunteers for their dedication to survivors.

2024 HONOREES

Acompañamientos: For their outstanding dedication and invaluable support in aiding asylum seekers through the intricate and often traumatic immigration process.

Angela Ayora: For her unwavering commitment to creating safe spaces, her compassionate counseling, and her significant contributions to the Children and Family Services Program.

Judge Alice Schlesinger: For her exceptional legal expertise and relentless commitment to justice in aiding incarcerated survivors of gender-based violence.

Laura Dionisio:For her creativity and passion in bringing the wonders of STEM to the children living in shelter at Sarah Burke House, creating a safe and inspiring environment that fosters curiosity and joy.

To learn more about our honorees, please click here. 

Every year, Sanctuary partners with over 3,000 volunteers, interns, and pro bono attorneys to provide direct services to more than 7,200 adult and child survivors of gender-based violence. We are proud to engage volunteers in various activities, from children’s tutoring to translation services, client interview preparation, and drive organizing to provide necessary in-kind donations to our shelters.

Learn more about volunteering at Sanctuary and join us to make a difference.

2025 TCS New York City Marathon

Run the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon with Sanctuary and make a difference in the lives of gender-based violence survivors.

We’re inviting you to be a part of Sanctuary for Families team!

We’re thrilled to announce that Sanctuary for Families is a Charity Partner for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon! Join us for this iconic race through some of New York City’s most famous sights and make every mile count for survivors of gender-based violence.

The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon takes place on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Why join Sanctuary’s team?

As a member of Sanctuary’s New York City Marathon team, you’ll receive guaranteed entry into the race in exchange for raising a minimum of $3,000. Your fundraising will directly support Sanctuary’s work with survivors of domestic abuse, sex trafficking, and other forms of gender violence.

With only 11 spots available on our team, you’ll be part of a special group of runners making a difference for New York survivors in need.

Sanctuary team members will also receive:

– A personal fundraising page to make your supporter outreach simple

– Fundraising support from Sanctuary Development staff (we’re seasoned fundraisers — and we’re here to help!)

– A team t-shirt and gear to show your Sanctuary spirit

– All of our heartfelt thanks!

To learn more, please email marathon@sffny.org

CSW69 Parallel Event

A global panel of experts examines how the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction can endanger domestic violence survivors and their children. Panelists will explore innovative solutions and best practices to protect families fleeing abuse across international borders.

PANELISTS

Reem Alsalem
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

Janaína Albuquerque Azevedo Gomes
Legal Coordinator, REVIBRA Europe

Adrienne Barnett
Reader in Law, Brunel University of London

Maria Jose Vallejo Manzur
Director, Bi-National Project of Family Violence at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

MODERATOR

Merle H. Weiner
Philip H. Knight Professor, University of Oregon School of Law

Click here to learn more about our panelists and moderator. 

OUR MISSION

Sanctuary for Families is the leading nonprofit in New York State dedicated exclusively to serving survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers 8,500 adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through legal and clinical services, economic empowerment, and shelter.

We believe that freedom from gender violence is a basic human right.

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-23-GK-05481-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.

2025 Zero Tolerance

Join us as we celebrate survivors and raise critical funds to support Sanctuary’s mission.

Join us for our Zero Tolerance Benefit on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, to honor survivors of gender violence and pay tribute to four inspirational leaders in this work.

HOSTED BY

Seth Meyers
Host, Late Night with Seth Meyers

FEATURING

DJ Spinderella

HONORING

Molly Gochman
Artist & Activist

Katharine Bieber Ogg
Vice President & Secretary, Sanctuary Board of Directors

Stacey J Rappaport
Partner, Milbank LLP | Sanctuary Board of Directors

Anastasia Danias Schmidt
Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, Major League Soccer

EVENT CO-CHAIRS

Ingrid Bilowich-von Ahn
Laura Buchwald
Amy Carlson
Dennis Dunne
Maria Theodoulou Haber, M.D.
Lawanna Kimbro
Marcelo Mottesi
Ryan Ogg
Brad Ruskin
Paul Schmidt
Craig Solomon

OUR MISSION

Sanctuary for Families is the leading nonprofit in New York State dedicated exclusively to serving survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers 8,500 adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through legal and clinical services, economic empowerment, and shelter.

We believe that freedom from gender violence is a basic human right.