In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, in conjunction with its Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, today joined Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul to donate 50 “Backpacks of Care” filled with basic essentials to five Capital Region domestic violence shelters. Another 85 backpacks will be distributed to domestic violence shelters statewide. The backpacks and their contents were donated by OCFS employees.

“We are committed to eradicating harassment and violence in New York,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who spoke at today’s event. “During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are providing ‘Backpacks of Care’ to domestic violence shelters across the state that work hard to provide the support and services needed for women, children, and families. We want to make sure victims have what they need to recover short and long term and can live independent and fulfilling lives. This effort is part of our overall goal to continue to combat all forms of violence in the workplace, at home, and beyond. We are reducing the stigma, raising awareness, and committed to making sure all New Yorkers live healthy and safe lives.”

“Domestic violence survivors seeking emergency shelter often flee their homes with only the clothes on their backs. Our goal is to help survivors feel cared for and have their immediate needs met when fleeing a violent situation,” OCFS Commissioner Sheila J. Poole said. “I am proud of this volunteer effort by OCFS staff who are dedicated to bringing comfort to domestic violence survivors seeking the safety of the 160 emergency residential shelters that our agency oversees throughout New York State.”

Kelli Owens, Executive Director of the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, said, “New York State is committed to working with our local partners to address all aspects of domestic violence with a single goal in mind: helping victims get the services and assistance they need to become survivors. This initiative is just one of the many ways we support service providers on the front lines of the state’s fight to eradicate domestic violence. Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, we remain laser-focused on identifying new and innovative ways to address domestic violence and its collateral consequences.”

Each backpack includes items such as a towel and washcloth, socks, soap and shampoo, a toothbrush, sheets, diapers, hairbrush, sweatpants and a notebook. The five Capital Region shelters receiving backpacks are Community Action of Greene County Inc. (Columbia Domestic Violence Shelter and Greene Domestic Violence Shelter), Equinox Inc., Unity House of Troy and the YWCA of Schenectady. Each shelter will receive 10 backpacks.

Community Action of Greene County, Inc. is the designated anti-poverty agency serving Greene County and serves Columbia County through its domestic violence program. Through a variety of community service programs and emergency services aimed at assisting low income and vulnerable populations achieve self-sufficiency, they strive to create opportunities, fight poverty and change lives.

Equinox is Albany County’s primary provider of services for victims of domestic violence. They provide safety for victims of domestic violence, including the elderly, and offer the support, assistance and tools people need to escape abusive situations and take control of their lives.

Unity House is a Rensselaer County-based human service agency that provides a wide range of services to meet the otherwise unmet needs of people in the community who are hurting and struggling. They assist those living in poverty, adults living with mental illness or HIV/AIDS, victims of domestic violence and children with developmental delays. Unity House works to achieve social justice in the community.

YWCA of Schenectady has served women and families in Schenectady and the surrounding region for 130 years. They have been a constant innovator in providing programs and services to meet the changing needs of the community. The Y’s main program provides all aspects of domestic violence services.

Those needing assistance can call the New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906. Resources through the OPDV can he found here.