When RCFC was founded in 1975 (then called the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition, or NELCWIT), there were no resources for women leaving abuse—no shelter, legal support, or economic empowerment opportunities. It was through the work and determination of local individuals, who advocated for survivors by opening their homes and staffing volunteer hotlines, that the protections we have today were established. Our current services are part of that hard-fought legacy and we uphold that legacy each time we provide crisis intervention, emergency housing, basic necessities, legal advocacy, counseling, support groups, and a lifeline of hope to those impacted by violence in our community.

Today, we face a precarious moment. Funding streams that sustain our crisis counselors and advocates are shrinking due to shifts in state and federal priorities, even as demand for our services continues to rise. Survivors of all gender identities, sexual orientations, economic statuses, and ages call us with urgent and complex needs. Financial distress, housing instability, cultural unrest, and troubling narratives about power and control are putting more families at risk. Franklin County and the North Quabbin are completely rural areas with limited resources and few public supports. As one of the only agencies in our region that serves survivors of sexual and domestic violence, we are often the bridge for so many community members in search of safety and stability.

This year for Giving Tuesday, RCFC is prioritizing critical housing support and advocacy for survivors.

This work relies on the availability of flexible funds, which allow us to:

Prevent homelessness by helping survivors with utility or rent payments
Plan for transitions by identifying temporary housing options and connecting with support
Find longer-term shelter options through housing search assistance, voucher applications, and rental move-in assistance
Enhance a survivor's ability to flee by assisting with transportation (e.g. travel ticket costs), gas funds or car insurance payments
Help survivors remain independent after fleeing by assisting with storage unit payments, moving expenses, and connection to basic needs and home furnishings

For decades, the founders of our movement worked unceasingly to ensure survivors had options. Now, we must do the same. Requests for emergency support come to us almost daily. Without adequate funding, we often crowdsource to fill gaps, sometimes with limited success. Leaving even one survivors in limbo is too many. Every support that falls through impacts a survivor's belief in their ability to move forward. We try to limit those experiences as much as possible, but this effort takes resources.

Your support gives RCFC the flexibility to respond quickly and decisively at those pivotal moments when safety is within reach.

Serving survivors is—and always will be—our top priority. With your partnership, we can continue to answer every call and provide the support survivors deserve.

Sincerely,

The RCFC Team

For more information about our services and resources, please call our 24/7 hotline: (413) 772-0806

For information about donations or partnerships, please email: outreach@rcfcma.org or call our Main Office: (413) 772-0871

RCFC | Giving Tuesday 2025

Help RCFC provide housing stabilization to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.