Mighty Together: Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence

Mighty Squirrel Brewery

1 David Ortiz Drive Boston, MA 02215

Thursday, January 16th

6:30-8:30 pm

The Second Step is hosting our second Leadership Collective event at Mighty Squirrel in Fenway. We will delve into The Second Step’s Legal Services program with our attorneys and advocates while assembling court support care packages for survivors.

There will also be plenty of time for networking and enjoying refreshments. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

FREE for Leadership Collective members, $25 for non-members.

Purchase tickets here.

View our Newton Free Library - Teen Dating Violence Awareness Display, which will be open to view for the month of February!

Celebrating Success Gala is on Thursday, May 1st!

We hope you can join us at Brae Burn Country Club for an evening of celebration in support of survivors and The Second Step.

Meet our 2025 Boston Marathon runner—Anna Walker!

"Hi, I'm Anna Walker, a current senior in high school! Growing up, I've always loved running, and attending the marathon each year is one of my favorite traditions. Watching runners persevere through the Newton hills and cross the finish line always filled me with awe and inspired me to dream of one day running the marathon myself. This year, I am so excited to turn that dream into reality because I'm running in the 129th Boston Marathon! Running has always been a huge part of my life; from jogging around my neighborhood to participating in local road races, running has always pushed me to challenge myself. What makes this experience even more meaningful to me is that I'm running to support an incredible organization, The Second Step. Their work in empowering survivors of domestic violence and helping them build safe, stable futures is truly inspiring. As I prepare for this journey, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you for cheering me on and supporting me in this amazing cause."

Learn more and support Anna and The Second Step!

"Life has a funny way of preparing you for exactly the right moment, and stepping into the role of Director of Prevention Education at The Second Step feels like one of those moments. Hi, I’m Stacy Karabetsos, and I’m thrilled to join the team! I earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!) and my Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in trauma and violence from Boston University. Over the last nine years, I’ve built a diverse background spanning program development, suicide prevention, and development and outreach—each experience reinforcing my passion for creating strong, community-driven solutions.

In this role, I’m looking forward to thinking boldly about prevention education. I want to meet people where they are—sometimes in places we might not traditionally think of when addressing domestic violence. By building new partnerships, as well as deeper and stronger coalitions, I hope to expand our programs and weave prevention into the fabric of everyday life.



When I’m not working, you’ll find me on adventures with my dog, Duke, who’s always up for exploring a new trail or finding the perfect spot to relax. I also enjoy discovering new coffee shops, cooking up something delicious, and setting off on travel adventures."

We had a fantastic time at the Massachusetts Conference for Women! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello, grab some swag, participate in our prize giveaways, and enjoy some Hershey kisses (of course!). It was inspiring to connect with so many incredible attendees and share more about The Second Step’s mission.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness and promote healthy relationships. This is an issue that affects not just teens, but their parents, teachers, friends, and communities. Approximately one in three U.S. teenagers will face physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in a relationship before reaching adulthood. Additionally, nearly half (43%) of U.S. college women report experiencing violent or abusive behaviors while dating.

We are thrilled that we have begun working with the Harvard Business School Community Action Partners (CAP) consulting group! Based on their initial interviews and research, their preliminary findings indicate that TSS is a well-run organization in excellent financial condition with a strong, collaborative culture. The board and staff are deeply committed to our mission, are open to new ideas, and value innovation. Our programs, especially legal services and intervention and advocacy, are excellent and highly regarded in the field. In the next few months, the consultants will dig into data, gather client feedback, assess the ecosystem of domestic violence services, and help create a model for growing and scaling TSS. This is so exciting! Stay tuned—we will have more to report in the early spring.

Thank you to our foundation and corporate partners for supporting

The Second Step and our work with survivors of domestic violence!