Dear Fearless! Community,

February was a time to reflect on the importance of healthy relationships, advocacy, and community support. As we recognize February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, we continue our mission to educate, empower, and support survivors while advocating for critical resources. Throughout the month, we highlighted the power of art and activism, celebrated impactful community partnerships, and will continue to stand firm in our fight for funding to sustain essential services.

February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), where we shed light on the alarming reality that 1 in 3 teens experience some form of dating violence before turning 18. This issue transcends race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and other social identities, and can manifest in many ways, including emotional, mental, verbal, financial, technological, physical, and sexual abuse. At Fearless!, we are committed to fostering conversations, education, and action to empower young people and create a future free from abuse.

"Safe Love Is..." Art Contest

Fearless! invited artists in grades 6-12 to participate in our annual art contest promoting healthy relationships and positive change. This year’s theme was “Safe Love Is...,” challenging participants to explore what it means to experience and give safe love. Entries were judged on creativity, personal vision and voice, skill, originality, and the depth of their understanding of healthy vs. abusive relationships.

Congratulations to our winners!

We thank everyone who participated in this year’s event.

1st Place

Devyn Callahan 

Dim Ambiance of Love 

Colored Pencil 

12th Grade Tri-Valley CSD 

2nd Place

Lilia Surowka 

Embrace

Acrylic & Canvas 

12th Grade James O'Neil

3rd Place

Becca Squires 

Love In Motion

Water Color & Colored Pencil 

10th Grade Tri-Valley CSD 

Allstate Helping Hands Grant

Thanks to the support of Allstate Agent Alan Turken, Fearless! received a $10,000 Allstate Helping Hands Grant! These funds will support our ongoing efforts to empower survivors and promote healthy relationships.

The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grant recognizes the outstanding efforts of Allstate employees who volunteer in their communities. The foundation provides grants to charitable organizations focused on humanitarian, social, or community-driven initiatives, ensuring that essential programs receive the support they need. We are grateful for this incredible partnership and the impact it will have on those we serve!

Women's Empowerment Luncheon

We joined the Women United movement from the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region to celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in our community. The luncheon, held on February 26th, recognized the strengths, resilience, and unwavering dedication of women who have profoundly impacted the lives of others. Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier, Fearless! Executive Director attended as one of the non-profit spotlight speakers, sharing insights on our mission and the vital work we do to empower survivors and advocate for change.

Budget Advocacy Day in Albany

Fearless! joined advocates from across New York State for the 2025 Budget Advocacy Day in Albany on February 24th. Together, we urged lawmakers to increase funding for domestic violence services and emphasize the necessity of sustainable, trauma-informed support.

We called on the Governor and Legislature to:

• Invest $200 million to stabilize domestic violence services.
• Increase funding for victim assistance and survivor support programs.
• Strengthen support for domestic violence advocates and organizations.

With the recent attempt to pause all federal funding, an action that would have catastrophic effects on Fearless! and other domestic violence agencies - now more than ever, it is crucial to stand up and make our voices heard! Many of our vital services rely on federal funding sources, including Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants and more. Without these funds, survivor support services will be at risk. We urge all supporters to stand with us in advocating for continued investment in life-saving programs. Survivors and advocates deserve stability, and we are unwavering in our demand for change.

Thank you for your continued support in Reclaiming Our Safety. Together, we can create a future where love is safe, survivors are supported, and advocacy leads to lasting change.

Join us on April 6, 2025, as we celebrate and honor incredible individuals from the Hudson Valley for their commitment to our work. Enjoy brunch, unlimited Mimosas and Bloody Marys, silent and live auctions, 50/50 raffles, and much more.

View the brunch website here for more information

Seating is limited - purchase your tickets today!