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2004 Social Innovator

Close to Home

Domestic violence is seen, heard and discussed first among family and friends.  Close to Home harnesses the power of these social relationships, working community by community with youth, residents and organizations who take action to address the problem together. 

Conservative statistics estimate that domestic violence affects 1 out of every 3 women in the United States. Taking into account the men and children who live with violence too, the number of those affected soars. Even though domestic violence is so prevalent, it continues to be regarded as a “private matter” and seeking help through professional services is an option of last resort.  

Close to Home’s path-breaking work serves as a national model that is changing the way the field both views and approaches the issue.

Social Problem:

• Domestic violence continues to be a pervasive problem in the United States and worldwide.

• Domestic violence is a major social and economic issue and is an underlying cause of a variety of community problems.

• Most people who see or hear about domestic violence say they would do something to help if they knew how.

• Few resources are devoted to prevention or approaches that engage community members in addressing domestic violence themselves.

• Most people affected by domestic violence do not seek help from formal service providers or people in positions of authority.

Key Accomplishments & Social Impact:

Close to Home’s mission is to foster community-wide responsibility to prevent and reduce the impact of domestic violence.

• Engaging Communities to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence.

• Informing Policy and Practice:

• Piloted a social enterprise called Teen L.E.E.P. Books in August 2004 to support vocational and educational training needs.

• Started the only formalized alumni program in Massachusetts.

Future Plans:

Close to Home is seeking $1.5 million over the next three years to achieve the following three goals:

• GOAL 1: Accelerate the development of the local program so that it can serve as a model “learning community” for the domestic violence field.
  

• GOAL 2: Implement a five-year business plan to increase our impact by sharing our expertise with domestic violence prevention practitioners and policymakers in other communities in Massachusetts and nationwide.
  

• GOAL 3: Develop and implement a strategy for engaging a network of public and private funders who want to support local communities in preventing domestic violence.

Read Close to Home Prospectus