New London — Start the day with an act of kindness and join Safe Futures for a virtual breakfast event held in support of domestic violence victims.

The Light the Way Breakfast program begins at 8 a.m. June 24 and will be streamed live from the Garde Arts Center in downtown New London. Viewers will be asked to donate and can do so via text, through the group's website, safefuturesct.org, or by writing a check and sending it in the mail. 

Guest speakers and survivors will share stories of how Safe Futures is saving lives in southeastern Connecticut.

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic continue to impact the more than 7,000 victims and survivors Safe Futures serves in the region. At the same time, COVID-19 has challenged traditional fundraising efforts — this event was canceled in 2020 — so communitywide participation in the breakfast program is critical to the programs supporting victims and survivors, the agency says.

The virtual event is free and open to the public. To register and tune in, visit bit.ly/light-the-way-2021.

Viewers will hear from John Hamilton, director of a national summer camp program that helps children impacted by domestic violence. This summer, Safe Futures will host its second group of campers as part of the Camp HOPE America – Safe Futures program.

Additionally, a survivor of domestic violence will share their journey and all the ways in which Safe Futures continues to make a difference in their life.

The agency is the only one exclusively providing crisis intervention, shelter, ongoing support and housing for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and trafficking in southeastern Connecticut. The nonprofit is a member of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.