Vera House, Inc.

We are thrilled to announce that the JDHS Walkathon is back, and this year we’re supporting Vera House, a local charity dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence and providing vital resources to those in need. From 8 PM on February 28th to 6 AM on March 1st, students will form teams and take turns walking throughout the night, ensuring someone from each team is on the track at all times. While teams compete to complete the most laps, the event is also about coming together as a community to raise awareness and funds for this important cause. With fun activities, games, and music throughout the night, the JDHS Walkathon is not only a great time but also an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Your donation will directly support Vera House and help us reach our goal of creating a safer and more supportive community for all. Thank you for your generosity!

If you'd like to donate in support of a competing team, make sure to comment that team name with your donation since we are holding a competition to see who can raise the most money!

Imagine living in fear every single day, unsure of what might happen next. For many survivors of domestic violence, this is a harsh reality. Behind closed doors, countless individuals face physical, emotional, and psychological abuse from someone they should trust. They endure this trauma in silence, too scared to speak up or seek help, believing that they have no way out. But there is hope—and we can help make that hope a reality.

We are raising money for the Vera House. The Vera House supports survivors of domestic violence and partners to end domestic and sexual violence and other forms of abuse. Many people seeking help leave home without any items. This includes things like toothbrushes, clothes, shampoo, etc. Survivors often need immediate medical treatment and long-term therapy to heal both physically and emotionally, which is costly. By donating, you would help contribute to resources for the survivors.

For our final project in our Family Violence course, my group and I would like to raise money for Vera House. Vera House operates with a strong commitment to its core values: providing unconditional care, working within the community to advance justice, delivering trauma-informed care, honoring intersectionality, and maintaining accountability. This foundation shapes its approach to supporting survivors of violence and abuse while addressing the broader social structures that perpetuate harm. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups, the organization prioritizes intersectional approaches, adapting its responses to meet the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Vera House operates with a nonpartisan approach, advocating for policies that support survivors’ rights and promoting healthy masculinity and gender equality to address gender-based violence. Primary prevention is central to its mission, encouraging community members to engage in bystander intervention and other proactive measures. Additionally, Vera House collaborates with community partners to foster a coordinated response, enhancing its capacity to support and protect those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. Originating in the 1970s with a focus on emergency sheltering and support for rape survivors, Vera House has since expanded its services to provide comprehensive support for individuals impacted by sexual and domestic violence in Central New York!

Every day, individuals in our community experience the trauma of domestic violence and intimate partner violence (IPV). Vera House stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking safety, healing, and a path forward. Through its shelter, advocacy, counseling, and education programs, Vera House provides life-saving support to survivors, helping them reclaim their lives and break free from cycles of abuse. Your donation can make a profound difference in the lives of those fleeing violence.

Vera House provides care and support to children and families affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, and elder abuse. Their work includes education, advocacy, shelter, counseling, prevention, and emergency intervention services. Donate today to support this amazing organization!