Thru the Lens: Metro Credit Union raises over $55,000 for domestic violence prevention

Chelsea, MA According to Robert Cashman, president and CEO of Metro Credit Union, Still She Rises, a celebration of life of Ersilia Cataldo Matarazzo, raised over $55,000 to benefit local domestic violence prevention organizations. The event coincided with the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

All proceeds from the event will benefit HarborCOV, Portal to Hope, and the Ersilia Cataldo Matarazzo Fund by Kiwanis. These organizations, based in Everett and Chelsea, provide comprehensive services to people whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence.

Ersilia Cataldo Matarazzo was a beloved member of the community and 20-year employee of Metro Credit Union whose life was tragically cut short as a result of domestic violence in December 2018. To honor Ersilia, Metro hosted Still She Rises on October 3^rd, at the Holiday Inn at 30 Washington St. in Somerville. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley delivered the keynote address to over 250 guests in attendance. This event was made possible by the generosity of sponsors, the businesses and people that donated items for the silent auction and the multitude of guests that attended.

Speaking of the need to put forth bold legislation to end the epidemic of domestic violence and provide trauma-informed care to victims, keynote speaker congresswoman Pressley noted that spreading awareness is “our charge and our sacred task, to take these stories out of the shadows, to put them on full display, because sunlight is the best disinfectant. That is why it is so important that we are here tonight, raising funds for organizations that are doing the work in our communities to not only support people who are suffering at the hands of a loved one, but to put an end to the suffering altogether.”

“One in three women, and one in four men are victims of domestic violence in the United States,” said Jacqui Krum, senior vice president and general counsel of Encore Boston Harbor, the Host Sponsor of the evening. Krum noted that statistically, of the 5,000 people employed by Encore, over 1,500 have or will experience domestic violence, remarking that society must end the stigma surrounding the epidemic so that people feel supported to come forward and seek help.

“We are so proud of the success of Still She Rises,” said Charlene Bauer, Metro’s SVP outreach, advocacy and chief development officer. “Celia’s presence will forever be missed at Metro and in her community. We’re so thankful to all of our sponsors and guests who came together in raising over $55,000 in her memory to end the epidemic of domestic violence.”