Prudence Crandall Center, Inc.

08/23/2026

More vital info & resource for our partners working in school systems throughout our region - click & read 💜

**THAT PERFECT FIRST-DAY-OF-SCHOOL PHOTO MAY BE HIDING SOMETHING YOU CAN'T SEE.**

New backpack.

New clothes.

Big smile.

First-day picture.

But behind some of those smiles is a child who spent the night listening to chaos at home.

A child who walks into class exhausted because they didn't sleep.

A child who panics over a bad grade because they've learned that small mistakes can have frightening consequences.

Or a child who is perfectly behaved because staying quiet and doing everything "right" has become part of how they survive.

**Trauma doesn't stay home when the school bell rings.**

And neither does domestic violence.

Back-to-school season can bring new risks for survivors—from financial control and custody exchanges to monitored school communications and concerns about who is allowed to pick up a child.

That's why teachers, school staff, parents, and communities need to understand something important:

**Sometimes what looks like bad behavior is fear.**

Sometimes what looks like defiance is hypervigilance.

And sometimes the child who appears to be doing perfectly fine is the one struggling silently.

We cannot always see what a child carries inside their backpack.

**But we can learn to recognize when they may need someone to look a little closer.**

Read the full blog and learn more about back-to-school safety planning:

https://breakthesilencedv.org/?p=20619

📞 BTSADV Support Line
1-855-BTS-1777
9 AM–9 PM CST | 7 Days A Week

08/22/2026

August is National Make-A-Will Month, a simple reminder that caring for the people and causes you love can be part of your plans for the future – whenever you're ready.

It's not about having a large estate or being at a certain stage of life. It's about making sure what matters most to you continues. Domestic violence isn't going away, and together we can help ensure safety, hope, and healing are here for future generations.

If Prudence Crandall Center is a cause you care about, we'd be honored to be part of those plans. There are many simple ways to make a lasting impact. To chat or learn more, contact Carolyn Jasper at (860) 259-3817, [email protected], or Meg Staubley at (860) 384-3137, [email protected].

08/22/2026

08/20/2026

We're so grateful to our new friends from HOUZPITAL- CT, MA, RI for generously donating a brand-new Graco car seat for a family we serve! Thank you for helping to meet an important need 💜

08/18/2026

Know the warning signs. We can all be part of the solution 💜

Domestic violence doesn't stay at home. Possible signs children may present at school:

• Sudden anxiety or fearfulness
• Trouble concentrating or falling asleep in class
• Increased aggression or emotional outbursts
• Withdrawal from friends or activities
• Frequent absences or tardiness
• Being unusually watchful or easily startled
• Worrying excessively about a parent or siblings
• Changes in academic performance

Teachers, counselors, coaches, and school staff may be among the first safe adults to notice that something has changed.

08/15/2026

A special Make-A-Will Month message from our President & CEO, Barbara Damon 💜

To chat or learn more, contact Carolyn Jasper at (860) 259-3817, [email protected], or Meg Staubley at (860) 384-3137, [email protected].

08/14/2026

Year after year, our incredible friends at Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina, LLP show up for our families in an amazing way!

Their annual back-to-school drive once again brought together their caring team to fill backpacks with school supplies & essentials, helping the children and families we serve head into a new school year feeling prepared and supported!

We are so grateful for FML’s generosity & continued partnership 🎒✏️💜

08/14/2026

Creatively caring for our shared community! 💜

08/11/2026

Each year, FML is proud to support the Prudence Crandall Center through our annual backpack drive!

These backpacks are filled with essential supplies and will go directly to families receiving support from Prudence Crandall Center, helping provide resources and a sense of comfort for those navigating difficult situations and accessing safe spaces.

A special thank you to our Women’s Committee for organizing this meaningful initiative year after year, and to all of our employees who donated supplies and took the time to put the backpacks together. Your generosity and commitment make an impact.

At FML, we believe in being an active part of our community and supporting the organizations that help make a difference in the lives of others.