February 2011 Newsletter

If you would like to know more about ATASK and updates on our accomplishments over the past year, please view our newly released annual report! 

YEP alums began a recycling program to model anti-violence, equality, and cleaner communities! Check out the flyer that shows the connection between environmental issues, domestic violence, and social inequalities.   

Jean Donations for Denim Day 2011  

Please help end rape & sexual violence by donating jeans!  The youth of YEP are asking for donations of blue denim jeans. If you have jeans you'd like to donate, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information, please visit our website!  

Bloomingdale's Fund of Macy's Foundation 

ATASK recently received a $5000 grant from Bloomingdale's Fund of Macy's Foundation. "Our effort to create a violence-free community and to empower the survivors of domestic violence would not

possible without their generosity. We feel so honored to receive this grant," says Elizabeth Vittum, ATASK Director of Foundation Relations.

(Left to right) Chris Willis, Bloomingdale's District Manager of Women's Designer Clothing, Elizabeth Vittum, and Mary Flynn, Bloomingdale's Public Relations Manager.

New Partnerships

ATASK is now working with the Sri Lankan Association of New England, the Social Affairs and Domestic Harmony Committee of the Islamic Center of Boston and Wayland, and the Bangladesh Association of New England to help promote awareness about domestic violence.

Past events:

December 4^th   

Bloomingdale's Chestnut Hill hosted a shopping benefit for ATASK with their Designer Collections in the women's fashion stores. 7NEWS/CW56 Reporter Janet Wu was a part of an informal fashion presentation for the attendees.  A portion of the day's proceeds contributed to the organization.

(Left to right): Janet Wu, 7NEWS/CW56 Reporter, Debbie Naka, and Miyoko Naka, Bloomingdale's Giorgio Armani Specialist

January24^th   

ATASK Annual Meeting was held, featuring: highlights from 2010, an introduction from new ATASK broad members, and a remembrance of late "Uncle" Ernie Do, beloved ATASK volunteer. The Annual Report 2010 was also presented at the meeting.

Save the Date: 

April 28^th   

Location: TBD  

Denim Day Boston is an anti-rape, anti-violence, and anti-victim blaming campaign for all peoples of the Boston area.  It's a time to remember that all people have the right to live life without sexual violence and without the fear of sexual violence, that we all have the ability to fight for that right.  

Anti-Dating Violence Workshops

ATASK is now scheduling anti-dating violence workshops for the spring! Contact Danny Ho (Youth Education Coordinator) at 617-338-2350 x229 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or to schedule a workshop!

New Generation Energy replaced all of the shelter's incandescent bulbs with energy saving Compact Fluorescent light Bulbs (CFLs). This will amount to $4K in energy saving per year.

A beginners' computer class was started for ATASK clients.  Thanks to our volunteer instructor and child care provider for allowing this to happen!

SHELTER REQUEST:

Program Coordinator for Direct Services Sujata Ghosh and Director of Education and Outreach Qingjian Shi were recently selected to be fellows in a community-based research training fellow program called "Building Your Capacity: Advancing Research through Community Engagement." The program is a collaboration of Harvard, Tufts and BU's clinical/translational science centers and two community based organizations and aims to equip individuals working in the community with skills and knowledge about health research.