Dear Friends of Radiant Futures,

Radiant Futures was founded in 1976 during the height of the women’s movement. Our start was a little rocky, to say the least. Our mission was not welcomed by many members of the community. We were called out for meddling in family affairs, disrupting the family unit, and challenging the religious teachings of the time. Within the first year of our inception, we had to relocate our shelter, not because the women’s lives were in danger, but because our neighbors did not want us in their backyard.

Our origin story is one of perseverance and resilience. It has laid the foundation for our 47 years of work and continues to be at the heart of our journey. As we embark on another month dedicated to domestic violence awareness, I am reminded of all we have accomplished and the work that lies ahead.

Domestic violence (DV) impacts 1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men; and LGBTQIA individuals experience domestic violence at a higher rate than heterosexual, cisgender individuals in our country. Called a public health crisis by the Centers for Disease Control, it affects the lives of not only survivors, but the communities they live in and the generations to come.

The spirit of perseverance and resilience we were founded on is needed for us all to eradicate domestic violence and build communities free from violence. We invite you to join us this Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) to celebrate our collective accomplishments and learn how you can continue to support the movement.

In appreciation,

Mark