At Sanctuary, our work isn’t easy — but it is deeply meaningful. Every day, we strive to be a lifeline for people with nowhere else to turn. Our mission reaches people in different ways, and we want to know what brought you to it.
Below, donors share why they choose to support Sanctuary. Their stories inspire us, remind us of the impact of our work, and sustain us through the challenging moments.
We’d love to hear from you, too. Tell us why you stand with survivors.
“I support Sanctuary for a number of reasons. Most importantly, it provides vital support for survivors at crucial, life-changing moments. This support is holistic and ranges from providing shelter to legal representation to assistance with reentry into the workforce.” – Francesca
“I support Sanctuary because they provide truly comprehensive care — legal, clinical, and economic empowerment — in one safe place. The staff is incredibly skilled, compassionate, and deeply committed to empowering survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.” – Molly
“Sanctuary does such important work. It’s an honor to be part of the [Legal Advisory Council]. ” – Helene
“I am so inspired by the work you do to help survivors of gender violence and so many others. ” – Avery
“My motivation is the work we do for the clients. These are trying times for everybody, but for our clients, their needs are greater than they have ever been. ” – Mary Ann
“Having grown up in an incredibly violent home and going on to marry a violent man, I know firsthand what the children experience on a daily basis. To be able to help, in a small way, survivors of domestic violence and any form of gender violence or injustice, is paying it forward. I had ‘Guardian Angels’ who watched over me and my ten siblings without knowledge that there was anyone who knew our darkest secrets … or cared.” – Cindy
“I was born in New York, but grew up in Western Massachusetts. My mom worked as a director at SafePassage for a number of years, assisting many women and families who had experienced domestic violence as they established new communities. I recently returned to the city, and I wanted to find a way to contribute more directly to the community. After doing some initial research and Googling, your organization came up as one of the best in New York for the work you do. It’s my privilege to play even a small part in facilitating your mission, and I wish nothing but joy and comfort to all of you working at Sanctuary for Families, this holiday season and beyond.” – Anonymous
“Sanctuary for Families provides holistic services to gender-based violence survivors. I have been so impressed with its staff and the high-quality work and level of care they provide. Sanctuary’s staff are thought leaders in their areas of expertise, regularly working on legislation to help survivors or prevent gender-based violence.” – Anonymous
“In a world that can feel a little out of control, where it’s easy to feel helpless, supporting Sanctuary is a way to see a very tangible positive change in the lives of some of our community’s most vulnerable people. I know the time and money I contribute change things for the better. ” – Kate
“Sanctuary is a full-service organization: not only does it provide immediate shelter and safety for families in the throes of domestic violence, but also thoughtful and thorough care afterwards. This includes not only medical, legal, and psychological help, but also ongoing education and support as the family makes its way through the various social service systems.” – Bobbie