Forty-five years ago, Edith Palmer founded New Hope, Inc. in Attleboro and set up a hotline staffed by volunteers. Today, thanks to supporters and partners like you, our sexual and domestic violence programs offer an array of options, support services, and education and prevention initiatives, and our reach spans 41 cities and towns throughout south central and southeastern Massachusetts!

New Hope, Inc. will mark its 45th anniversary and present the 2024 Highlights of Hope Awards at its annual community celebration event on June 13, 2024, at Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts. 

And the children of Edith Palmer and their families will be with us to mark this special occasion. 

The four awardees reflect the diverse community, business, and non-profit sectors connected to New Hope. Edith's children will present the award named in her honor.

Diana Mancera, President and CEO of New Hope, Inc., said, “We rely heavily on the support of organizations, community partners, volunteers, and donors to help us fulfill our mission and continue making a positive impact in our community. Each year we honor those who help us fulfill our mission to create innovative ways to support those who have experienced sexual and domestic violence, build new partnerships with schools, companies, faith institutions, and community groups to educate people about these issues, and foster ways to prevent abuse.”  

The 2024 Highlights of Hope Awardees are: 

·       Edith Palmer Award:  Amber Nicole Cowen Memorial Foundation 

Family and friends created the Amber Nicole Cowen Memorial Foundation to honor Amber who was tragically killed by her husband in 2020.  The Foundation raises awareness of mental and emotional abuse through an array of training, educational, and community activities, reaching students and young adults with critical information and resources that promote healthy relationships. 

·       Business of the Year Award:  ICONICS CARESWorX 

A group company of Mitsubishi Electric headquartered in Foxborough, MA, ICONICS is a global software developer with a heart of gold. Employees created CARESWorX to facilitate volunteerism and philanthropy and time and again has shown up for their community, including survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Over the past few years, ICONICS CARESWorX has helped New Hope develop its new storefront project and is always ready to lend a helping hand. 

·       Volunteer of the Year Award:  The Basket Ladies of Bethany Congregational Church 

Over 25 years ago a group of women from Bethany Congregational Church in Foxboro established a monthly donation program to support survivors and their families connected to New Hope, Inc.  Affectionately known as the Basket Ladies, a group of four women collect and donate new items that match the month’s theme to let survivors know that they are valuable and loved.  Baskets of treats (cookies and candies), age-appropriate toys and activities with non-religious and non-violent messages, household items, and more are packed with uplifting messages of empowerment and hope. 

·       Community Partner of the Year Award: Pave Your Path 

Pave Your Path empowers women living with low to no incomes towards self-sufficiency and emotional self-reliance. PYP combines workshops on financial wellness, digital skill-building and goal-oriented accountability partnering with trauma-sensitive yoga, mindfulness classes and group sessions about nervous-system regulation. Pave Your Path has partnered with New Hope, Inc. to create opportunities for survivors to pursue financial wellness and digital skills in a trauma-sensitive environment. 

“It’s people and companies like this year’s awardees who remind us that hope is possible when we stay in community with one another,” said April Funches, New Hope, Inc. Board President. 

The Highlights of Hope celebration will take place in the Atrium at Dean College from 6-8 p.m., with a VIP reception on the patio for event sponsors and key supporters at 5:30 p.m. 
Ticket and sponsorship information is available at https://www.new-hope.org/highlights-of-hope/  

For more information, please contact Toni Troop at [email protected] or (617) 212-7571 or Christine Gaze at  [email protected] or (508) 226-4015 x2109. 

 

ABOUT NEW HOPE 

New Hope, Inc. is a non-profit organization serving those affected by sexual and domestic violence.  New Hope has offices in Attleboro, Milford, Southbridge and Taunton providing community-based counseling and advocacy and outreach and preventioneducation services; medical advocates at Morton Hospital in Taunton and Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro for survivors of sexual assault; court advocates at seven district courts and one probate court; and civilian police advocates at 2 police departments; a 24-hour toll-free and confidential helpline (800-323-HOPE); a supervised visitation site; emergency shelter; and RESPECT: an intimate partner abuse education program. For more information, visit:  https://www.new-hope.org/