Fall Updates!

September 2023 Updates

We are excited to announce the 28th Annual Walk & Candlelight Vigil will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. beginning at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. This event has been a long-standing community tradition in Melrose and has served as MAAV’s largest annual fundraiser, raising essential funds for the programs that we offer both in the schools and the community as well as our survivor support services.

We also use these funds to expand current programs to meet the growing need in and around Melrose. For instance, we have expanded our Healthy Relationships Curriculum to include elementary-aged students and will be launching a support group for children exposed to violence this Fall.

We rely on the generosity of our supporters and community to keep our program thriving. Walk sponsorships are available at various levels and all information can be found here, along with team information and how to donate.

2023 Walk Committee Members pictured above

Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Support Group

The Melrose Alliance Against Violence has been awarded a Premier Partner grant by the Foundation Trust to develop and implement a Children’s Domestic Violence Support Group to be held in person and support those in and around Melrose, MA.

MAAV will work in collaboration with Foundation Trust personnel and resources to establish this group.

The first round of the group will begin October 19th and held weekly in Melrose.

Step Up: Men Against Violence Group

Do you identify as male? Are you trying to get more involved with your community?

This may be the group for you!

Be part of the solution and step up to end domestic violence in your community!

Email info@maav.org for more information or to get on the mailing list.

Student Action Board Updates

We are back! Our Melrose High School Students Action Board welcomed new members to the group. They will begin getting trained to lead sessions around teen dating violence, boundaries and consent, and other topics to their peers this Fall.

Can't forget to mention...

Welcome to Ellie Carver!

Ellie Carver (she/her) joined MAAV in July 2023 as the Survivor Advocate/ Prevention Specialist. Ellie is a former educator, facilitator, childcare worker, crisis manager, and director of people and programs with almost ten years of non-profit experience. Across all these settings, Ellie has been able to pursue her passion for supporting people as full beings, working to help them have all their needs met, such as social, physical, material, etc.

Ellie is a passionate relationship builder and a strong advocate for the issues she cares about. As a survivor herself, Ellie will advocate fiercely for those she is supporting and approach each situation with care and empathy. Ellie also believes that prevention is key if we hope to end cycles of violence.

Outside of work, Ellie loves to spend time in the community with others, reading good books, and eating a delicious meal with those she loves! Ellie is also a birth doula, supporting pregnant and birthing people as they enter a new chapter of life.

MAAV Board and Staff enjoying some time together at their recent summer outing

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Looking Ahead:

Victorian Fair: Sunday, September 10
Melrose Farmers Market: September 28th & October 12th
MAAV's 28th Annual Walk and Candlelight Vigil: Sunday, October 22nd at 4 pm