BOSTON, November 9, 2017— An annual domestic violence awareness fundraiser organized by members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office last week raised just over $4,000 – the largest amount in the event’s four-year history – in support of the city’s largest provider of services to domestic violence survivors, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The fourth annual fundraiser for Casa Myrna Vasquez, organized by Deputy Chief of Staff Catherine Rodriguez and Chief of Victim Witness Assistance Program Katherine Moran with the help of colleagues in Conley’s office, brought in $4,001, surpassing the event’s fundraising goal and nearly doubling last year’s total.  Bell in Hand Tavern once again this year provided their private event space for the fundraiser, which about 150 people attended.  The Friday evening event was bolstered by a raffle that included gift cards and other items donated by nearly 40 companies.

“Time and again, we as prosecutors and advocates see the challenges faced by those attempting to escape domestic violence,” Conley said.  “Casa Myrna offers vital services and resources to victims at their most vulnerable.  To see our staff and the community band together to more than double our fundraising efforts on behalf of Casa Myrna and their invaluable work on behalf of survivors.”

Among the services offered by Casa Myrna is Massachusetts’ statewide toll-free domestic violence hotline, SafeLink, which responds to nearly 30,000 calls each year. Casa Myrna also educates teens and adults across the Commonwealth via workshops, daily social media posts and annual mass transit ad campaigns. The organization was founded in 1977 and named for Myrna Vazquez, an actress and activist who organized members of South End’s Puerto Rican community.

“Our partnership with the Suffolk County DA’s office is critical to the success of our legal department and our overall support for domestic violence survivors. We work closely to hold abusers accountable and to ensure that victims are well represented in court,” Casa Myrna CEO Stephanie Brown said. “We also promote a pipeline of diverse attorneys and witness advocates that understand domestic violence through indispensable shared training and mentorship. And every year the District Attorney’s Office put together this amazing event for us that raises funds for our work and is a great time for all of us! We love DA Conley at Casa Myrna and each and every one of his dedicated staff!”

Donors who helped make this year’s event a success included AT&T, Avanti Salon, Bon Me, Boston Public Market, Boston Roller Derby, Brookmeadow Country Club, CorePower Yoga, Davio’s, Dellaria, Doyle’s Café,  Emack & Bolio’s, Flour Bakery & Café, Formaggio Kitchen, The Fours, Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, The Kinsale, Lambert’s Rainbow Market, Lash and Brown Bar, Late July, Le’s Isle Rose, Lower Mills Tavern, Minilux, Moo, New Balance, Omni Hotels & Resorts, PMT Photography, Alex Fok Photography, Roche Brothers, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Monument Restaurant & Tavern, Wegmans, Whole Foods Market, and Yellow Door Taqueria.  Also raffled off was a foursome at George Wright Golf Course in Hyde Park donated by Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh.

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