News

Casa Myrna Hosts 14th Annual "Community of Conscience" Breakfast

by Casa Myrna
Thursday May 18, 2023

To Support of Domestic Violence Survivors

Casa Myrna, Boston's largest provider of shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, will celebrate its 14th Annual Community of Conscience Breakfast on Wednesday, May 17 from 7-9am at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.

Around 300 supporters are expected for Casa Myrna's annual signature event, including Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, State Senator Liz Miranda, Chief of Housing and Director of the Mayor's Office of Housing Sheila A. Dillon, Boston City Councilor President Ed Flynn, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, and Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins.

The event will include a togetherness breakfast, a silent auction, a program including a moving story from a survivor, and a number of special guests from the business, philanthropic, government, and community sectors.

"We are thrilled to be back in person for the first time since the pandemic to host our signature fundraising event," said Stephanie Brown, Casa Myrna's CEO. "This year's theme is Resistance, Persistence, Perseverance: Building a Community of Safety and Trust. While the past three years have been isolating for all of us, survivors of domestic violence experienced heightened danger and escalating abuse in their homes.

Despite these enormous challenges and trauma, we continued and expanded our services to survivors in the Boston area, prioritizing their health and safety. Casa Myrna does not do this work alone: we rely on our community and partners to help end domestic violence and ensure that all relationships are safe and healthy. By supporting us throughout the pandemic and for this event, we know our community stands with survivors."

The event will feature Keynote Speaker Andrea Joy Campbell, who has pledged to build economic prosperity and stability for all residents, prioritize the mental health and well-being of children, and stop cycles of incarceration and violence. Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, who became Salem's first woman Mayor in 2006, will provide remarks.

The program will include a story from a survivor who worked with Casa Myrna to find safety and healing. The breakfast will also feature Miss Boston 2023 Arcadia Ewell, who is a survivor of dating violence and a passionate advocate for dating and domestic violence prevention. Finally, Casa Myrna will honor Nicky Bandera of Project Paulie, a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding people in need, for her incredible contributions to survivors.

Since 1977, Casa Myrna has supported survivors as they escape domestic violence and recover from the trauma of abuse. The organization has grown from a single shelter for women and children fleeing violence into an organization that serves over 2,000 survivors a year as they rebuild lives free from abuse.

Casa Myrna provides residential shelter and a comprehensive range of supports — ranging from legal to housing and counseling to economic stability — that help participants recover from the trauma of abuse and build safe, stable, and independent futures for themselves and their children. Casa Myrna also answers nearly 28,000 calls annually to our statewide domestic violence hotline, SafeLink.

Every spring for the last 13 years, we have honored survivors' strength, resilience, and bravery. We look forward to being back in person to generate critical resources for our comprehensive work and increase awareness about domestic and dating violence.

Casa Myrna is Boston's largest provider of shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, providing safety, resources, advocacy and information since 1977. We operate SafeLink, the statewide domestic violence hotline, and promote domestic and dating violence prevention through awareness and education. All of our supports are provided to survivors free of charge. We support survivors of any race, ethnicity, language, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, age, and sexual orientation.