Dear Fearless! Community,

October has always been a powerful month for reflection, awareness, and action. As we honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are reminded that real change happens when communities come together, when survivors are seen, when stories are shared, and when allies step forward to say, “I will help.” From The Clothesline Project and Purple Thursday to our record-breaking 5K and inspiring partnerships, this month has shown us the strength that exists when compassion meets action.

The Clothesline Project

This October marked the 20^th year of Fearless! hosting The Clothesline Project, a powerful visual display of t-shirts created by survivors of intimate partner violence or by friends and family members in honor of victims. Each shirt shares a story of strength, loss, and survival, transforming what is often left unspoken into a public declaration of courage and resilience.

We are proud to share that this year’s display was our largest yet, with shirts exhibited across seven locations throughout Orange and Sullivan Counties. We extend our thanks to our community partners, both those who continue to invite us back year after year and those who welcomed the project for the first time. Your commitment helps amplify the voices of survivors and spread awareness across our region.

The Clothesline Project serves as a stark reminder of statistics too often ignored. Violence occurs in every community and takes many forms. To truly support survivors and prevent future abuse, we must normalize open, honest conversations, because violence thrives in silence.

The Clothesline Project's Press Conference

To launch this year’s Clothesline Project, Fearless! held a press conference at the Orange County Government Center in Goshen on October 3^rd, where nearly 700 shirts were displayed.

We were joined by State, County, and Local leaders who stood beside Fearless! to speak about how we can continue working together toward a future without abuse. Their presence reinforced that this work is nonpartisan and that collaboration across all levels of leadership is vital to securing funding, advocating for legislation, and sharing resources that strengthen our communities.

We thank every official, partner, and community member who came out to show their support, and we extend our sincere appreciation to those who spoke at the press conference: Sheriff Paul Arteta, Chief Dominick Blasko, Assemblymember Chris Eachus, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson, Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay, Assemblymember Brian Maher, County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Senator Rob Rolison, Senator James Skoufis, and Commissioner of DSS Lacey Trimble.

Purple Thursday

Each year during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Purple Thursday unites communities nationwide in solidarity with survivors. On October 16^th, Fearless! staff, volunteers, and supporters wore purple to raise awareness and spark conversations about domestic violence.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in wearing purple, sharing posts, and showing that when we stand together, we send a clear message: we see survivors, we believe them, and we support them.

Our #WeCanBeHeroes campaign kicked off with record-breaking energy at the 8th Annual We Can Be Heroes 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, October 26, held at the Orange County Airport in Montgomery. This was our largest and most successful race to date, with nearly 300 participants joining us on the runway to stand alongside survivors and demand a world free of abuse, exploitation, and oppression.

With the help of our sponsors, participants, and donors we raised OVER $25,000 to help support our life-saving programs! We are grateful. We are inspired. We are just getting started. Thank you all for being Fearless!

At Fearless!, we believe it is individuals and communities who create lasting change. For the remainder of 2025, we will continue to celebrate, honor, and empower all of the #EverydayHeroes who stand with survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and other forms of victimization in Orange and Sullivan Counties.

We extend our deepest thanks to our generous sponsors:

Hero

Orange County Ironworks, LLC

Strength

R. Brewer Landscaping, LLC

The Galleria at Crystal Run 

Courage

LoBiondo Law Offices

Professional Computer Associates

Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Hope

Ulster Savings Bank

Support

Walden Savings Bank

Garnet Health

Broadway Accident & Injury

In-Kind

Rocky Bagel 

Hudson Valley Ghostbusters, Inc. 

O'Keeffe & McCann LLP

Echo Entertainment

Starbucks - Union Ave, Newburgh

Take a look at the photos from this year’s event, captured by William O’Keeffe and Michelle Pfeffer. We’re so grateful for their continued support year after year.

This month, we are pleased to spotlight Melissa Evans, Allstate Agent in Newburgh, for her incredible generosity and commitment to Fearless!. Thanks to Melissa’s initiative, Fearless! was awarded a $10,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grant, which will directly support our mission to empower survivors and build safer communities.

Melissa has become a dedicated supporter and has been ready to jump in to help. She volunteered her time and energy at our We Can Be Heroes 5K, assisting with setup, registration, sharing resources, and cheering on participants at the finish line.



Her enthusiasm, compassion, and hands-on support embody what it means to be part of the Fearless! community. We are deeply grateful for Melissa’s partnership and for the Allstate Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the safety net for survivors across the Hudson Valley.

We are thrilled to recognize Shannon O’Hare, Coffee House Leader for District 2171 at Starbucks, for her incredible support and advocacy for Fearless!. Shannon has made a lasting impact on our events, donating raffle baskets, providing coffee and refreshments for our 5K, and always asking, “How can I help?” Her generosity and commitment to our mission have been invaluable.

Thanks to Shannon’s nomination, Fearless! was awarded a $5,000 Starbucks Foundation Neighborhood Grant. This grant, supports organizations making a difference in their local communities, will have a meaningful impact on survivors and their families, especially at a time when so much funding remains uncertain or delayed. The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants are designed to strengthen local communities through employee-led giving. Partners (employees) like Shannon nominate organizations they believe are creating positive change, and we are deeply honored that she chose to highlight Fearless! Hudson Valley for this recognition.



Shannon’s leadership and kindness reflect the very best of community partnership, and we are sincerely grateful for her continued support and belief in our mission to build safer, more compassionate communities.

As we move into our season of giving, we carry with us the voices, faces, and stories that fuel our work every day. Thank you to everyone who walks beside us, raises awareness, donates, and volunteers. Each act of kindness, each conversation, and each show of support makes a difference. Together, we are building a future rooted in safety, dignity, and hope for all.



With gratitude, 

Holiday Gift Project

Register for a family and help us spread joy by participating in our annual gift collection for families in need during the holiday season. Wishlists are scheduled to be sent out around Thanksgiving. Schedule an appointment to drop off your gifts at our City of Newburgh office between December 1^st and December 18^th.

Register For A Family Today

Public Service Announcement Contest

Calling all middle and high school students! Fearless! invites youth in grades 6–12 to participate in our PSA Contest focused on Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships. Submissions can be in video, audio, or digital poster format. Winners will be announced on February 28, 2026, with prizes awarded to first and second place in both middle and high school categories.

1 in 3 teens experience dating violence before turning 18. This includes emotional, verbal, physical, sexual, technological, and financial abuse, and it impacts young people of all backgrounds. The media often glamorizes toxic behaviors in relationships. This is your chance to shift that narrative. Whether you enter solo or in a team of up to 3, your voice matters. Let’s change what’s “normal.”

Submission Deadline: February 13, 2026, by 5:00 PM | Learn More