How Orange, Sullivan nonprofit is supporting domestic violence survivors this holiday season
In 2025, federal funding to run the Fearless nonprofit in the Hudson Valley has been in a state of limbo — first frozen, then unfrozen, and then again facing uncertainty.
Fearless! is the only nonprofit that provides support for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in Orange and Sullivan counties. In Sullivan County, the organization also offers a sexual assault services program.
“In 2024, we helped almost 6,000 individuals through our programs,” said Rosemary Schwartzberg, executive administrator at Fearless. “This year, even at the end of October, we had already surpassed what we did year-end for 2024. So the need is up approximately 10 to 15 percent just from last year alone.”
What is the Holiday Gift Project?
Last year, Fearless helped fulfill 502 children's wish lists and provided holiday gift cards.
There are multiple aid tiers for contributions to Fearless: food for a survivor and two children for a week, one day of emergency shelter for someone, cost of a counseling session, a taxi ride, or a bedding set, or any other amount at fearlesshv.org.
How United Way helps Fearless
This year, the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region will support Fearless by providing gift cards for children and seniors during the holiday season. United Way has also provided them with diapers over the years. The nonprofit runs a 211 Human Service Helpline, answered by a person at all hours, any day of the week.
"I know it's a difficult time for a lot of folks," said Melissa Clark, vice president of community impact at the United Way. "If anybody in the community themselves is in need of services, they can call 211 and be connected with a compassionate navigator to help them get the services they need."
The fundraising drive for United Way is ongoing and seeks community participation and contributions from Thanksgiving until the end of 2025.
All donations from this season’s drive will aid Orange County organizations during the 2026 holiday season.
How can you contribute to the drive?
United Way and Times Herald-Record are raising funds to facilitate programming in Orange County to help local families during the holiday season.
Visit uwdor.org/OCHHH to make a monetary contribution. You can also write a check to United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region and mail it to 75 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Some other ways to give are volunteering and corporate partnerships, available through uwdor.org.