Susan B. Anthony Project

“Imagine a day when no woman, man, or child experiences domestic or sexual violence. Imagine a lifetime where safety at home is assured. Imagine a community whose collaborative focus prevents the harm that is borne of interpersonal violence and may focus on helping each and every individual find the strength to re-build their lives without fear and with support for the fullness of their potential. This is what we imagine at Susan B. Anthony Project,” stated Jeanne Fusco, Executive Director of the Susan B. Anthony Project.

This year the Susan B Anthony Project, whose mission statement is to promote safety, healing, and growth for all survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and advocate for the autonomy of women and the end of interpersonal violence, celebrated its 40th anniversary.

The project started in 1982 when a group of concerned local citizens held an organizational meeting to identify the need for crisis services. In 1983 the Susan B. Anthony Project was born and became incorporated. In 1984 Sexual Assault Crisis Services were added and the Project became a member of the Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services Coalition. In 1985 the project opened its first shelter. In 1987 a STRIVE (Seeking to Realize Independent Values and Esteem) program was added to provide support services to women in transition. In 1989 the Project secured State of Connecticut funding to purchase a 4-family house and created a Sojourner Truth Transitional Living Program, and in 1993 the Project purchased property at 434 Prospect Street in Torrington for office and counseling center.

Today the Project provides free confidential crisis and support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault for residents of Barkhamsted, Canaan/Falls Village, Colebrook, Cornwall, Goshen, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington, and Winsted.

Their 24-hour crisis line is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. If you want to speak to a trained advocate about yourself, a friend, or a relative, please call them at 860.482.7133. A trained advocate will answer and can offer support, answer questions, help you develop a safety plan, or refer you to someone else who can assist with your needs.

They also offer temporary emergency shelter for people actively fleeing domestic violence and/or sexual assault. The shelter is staffed 24/7 and is in a confidential location, with safety being a top concern. While in the shelter clients can receive voluntary and individualized counseling, advocacy, and case management services from Susan B. Anthony Project advocates.

In addition to temporary housing, the Project also offers transitional housing and support for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. Single victims and victims with children who are accepted in this program can participate for 6 months to 2 years. All counseling, advocacy, and case management services are individualized to meet the needs of the residents.

According to Gillian Hanna, Founding Board Member, “Domestic violence covers the waterfront. Every profession, and every kind of household has this problem. Susan B. Anthony today is really a miracle. It's really a marvel. It provides services that I could hardly have believed we would provide way back in the beginning.”

If you are leaving an abusive situation and are ready to begin healing and making changes in your life Susan B. Anthony offers transitional services. While in the program you will receive help and guidance on vocational or educational goals, writing a resume, working on your budget, getting a job, becoming financially independent, or securing permanent housing.

Should you need counseling, the Susan B. Anthony Project has trained advocates to work with victims or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Counseling sessions are typically one-on-one, but larger support groups are also offered. They can also help you if you’re a relative or friend of someone who is a victim. For further information call their crisis line at 860.482.7133 to make an appointment with an advocate.

Victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault often feel very alone, and that no one can understand or relate to their experiences. While working with the Susan B. Anthony project you are not alone. Susan B. Anthony Project advocates are available to help you navigate stressful, unfamiliar experiences and environments. Advocates can accompany you and advocate for you in court or in the emergency room. They can also help you decide if you want to contact the police, apply for a restraining order or go for a medical exam.

They also offer support groups to those in need where you can learn coping skills and gain strength from others in your group. Support groups can cover topics such as healing from trauma, surviving traumatic experiences, and building self-esteem.

Susan B. Anthony Project advocates are here to help you navigate stressful, unfamiliar experiences and environments in a courtroom or medical setting. Advocates can accompany you and advocate for you in court or in the emergency room. They can also help you decide if you want to contact the police, apply for a restraining order, go for a medical exam.

The Susan B. Anthony Project also has staff specially trained to work with children and teens.

They are also available to counsel and support parents of children and teens who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence, dating violence, or sexual assault. To speak to a child advocate, call 860.482.7133. You can talk to your child advocates by phone or meet with them in person. The Project has a beautiful play room at their Counseling and Advocacy Center at 179 Water Street in Torrington. Kids actually love it!

Prevention of domestic and sexual abuse is an important part of Susan B. Anthony Project’s mission. Every day, their outreach & prevention educators are in schools teaching children from preschool to 12th grade about how to resolve conflicts without hitting, that it is not okay to tease and bully, that there’s a big difference between joking and sexual harassment, and that cyber-bullying (using phones, computers, and social networking to stalk, harass, monitor, and control another person) is not acceptable.

All programs are interactive, age-appropriate, and non-threatening. All lessons can be modified to best suit the needs of students and teachers. If you are businesses, camp, church, civic organization, college, scout group, or other professional group that would like more information on these programs, please call them to discuss how they can help meet your needs.

If you would like to volunteer your time the Project can always use your help in the areas of crisis line, bilingual support, support group co-facilitator, court advocate, childcare, outreach and prevention education, office / receptionist, transportation, and other special events.

There is a 40+ hour training program required of all volunteers but know that dedicating your time as a volunteer is a rewarding way to give back to your community and will give you a sense of gratification knowing you are helping others in need.

Volunteer applications can be filled out online at the Susan B. Anthony website (https://sbaproject.org/get-involved/volunteer/), or downloaded and printed and returned in the mail. For more information about volunteering, please call Siobhain at 860.489.3798.

In 2003 the Susan B. Anthony Project received federal funding to support outreach into rural northwestern Connecticut and form the Community Partnership Team and coordinated community response to domestic violence, in 2008 the Project received a federal grant to expand Transitional Living Program for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. Since the COVID-19 isolation in 2021, demand for services increases by 17-20%, especially for shelter services and criminal and civil court needs.

If you would like to donate to the Susan B. Anthony Project and help them help their clients rebuild their lives gifts of all sizes are greatly appreciated. Some options for charitable giving include onetime online payments through their website (https://sbaproject.org/get-involved/donate/), recurring gifts, appreciated stock, matching gifts through your employer, gifts in honor or memory, planned giving, or checks by mail which can be made out to Susan B. Anthony Project and sent to the Susan B. Anthony Project, 179 Water Street, Torrington CT 06790.