June 5 is the national #DayOfAction to demand federal funding for sexual assault and domestic violence services. Participate by calling or emailing your Senators and sharing this information with your network. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that survivors receive the support they need.

Fearless! Hudson Valley proudly hosted its annual Celebration of Hope Brunch at the beautiful Powelton Club. With over 200 friends and supporters in attendance, the event was a powerful gathering of hope, unity, and purpose. The most successful event to date raised over $87,000 for the agency’s comprehensive programs and services for survivors/victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual violence, and other crime victimization.

There were several impactful moments throughout the event, but the first one came when Fearless! Executive Director Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier asked tables of guests to stand. The room fell silent as people rose to their feet. One table, then another, then another - each group standing to represent the number of lives touched by Fearless! in just 24 hours.

For the 200-plus attendees packed into the fundraising event, this visual demonstration drove home a sobering reality about gender-based violence in their community. It turned out to be more than just a powerful moment. Executive Director Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier wasn’t focused on the dollar signs at stake. “This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet,” Kostyal-Larrier said. “We can’t simply ‘tough it out’ or wait for things to get better. Every bit of progress in this field has come at the cost of victims’ lives. We cannot afford to regress 50 years, especially when many of us in this room didn’t even have basic rights five decades ago.”

This year’s brunch honored four exceptional award recipients whose contributions have helped shape and sustain the mission of Fearless! Hudson Valley: Angela Accomando, CEO Golden Meals; Christine Fitzgerald, Fearless! board chair and Executive Director, The Riders Closet; Juliana LoBiondo, partner at LoBiondo Law Offices; and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Iota Alpha Omega Chapter.

Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc. provides comprehensive services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence, teen dating violence, human trafficking, sexual violence, and other crime victimization. For more information, visit www.fearlesshv.org or call 845-562-5365. For immediate help and support, call the 24-Hour Hotline at 845-562-5340.

The vigil is held in conjunction with the County Executive’s Office, the Probation Department, the District Attorney’s Office, the State Police, the Sheriff’s Office, STOP-DWI, the Mental Health Association, and Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc. It coincides with National Crime Victims’ Week, which runs from April 6-12.