National Grid believes that no one should ever question whether they are safe or not. It’s why the company is a proud supporter of Vera House, a Syracuse-based domestic and sexual violence and abuse organization.

“Vera House provides critical services to our community,” said Alberto Bianchetti, Central New York  regional director for National Grid. “Vera House’s long-standing leadership role in addressing domestic violence and sexual abuse covers the full range of needs from education to crisis response. Supporting the work of the professionals at Vera House is a privilege for National Grid.”

National Grid's Gwen Sanders, pictured above on the right, recently presented Vera House co-Executive Director Randi Bregman with a check for $6,000 to support two initiatives of the organization: the White Ribbon Campaign and 30th annual New Beginnings Gala.

Vera House’s White Ribbon Campaign, which celebrates its 28th year in 2022, rallies men to acknowledge the impact of abuse and show they will not support, commit or remain silent about abuse. New Beginnings is the annual gala sponsored by the Vera House Foundation to support the agency’s mission to end domestic and sexual violence and elder abuse.

Vera House was founded in 1977 to provide emergency sheltering services to women in crisis. It eventually became the lead domestic violence organization in Central New York, providing outreach and advocacy, domestic violence education programming, children's counseling, and a domestic violence education and accountability program for people who cause harm in relationships. Today, it serves the region by providing care, support and education in response and to prevent domestic and sexual violence, elder abuse, and other forms of abusive behavior.

“Project C is National Grid’s initiative to improve our neighborhoods from the ground up,” Bianchetti said. “Its purpose is inspire change and creative a more equitable future in every community we serve. Vera House embodies that promise.”

If you or someone you know in central New York is the victim of domestic or sexual violence, elder abuse or other form of abusive behavior, contact Vera House’s 24-hour support hotline at 315-468-3260. If you live outside of central New York, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.