The Second Step is a community of survivors, advocates, and volunteers who foster the safety, stability, and well-being of those who have experienced domestic violence.
Through Connection
Through Healing
Through Community
We provide comprehensive services, including safety planning, legal advocacy, counseling, peer support, transitional housing, and other essential services to adults, youth, and children in Greater Boston and MetroWest.
Think you need help or know someone who might? Contact us today.
Since 1992, we have partnered with thousands
of survivors to build better futures. No matter where you are in your journey, we are here for you – all the way from crisis to well-being.
Since 1992, The Second Step has partnered with thousands of survivors to address the aftermath of abuse and build brighter futures for themselves and their children. We know that services alone are not sufficient to help survivors heal from their trauma, nor can awareness campaigns make the necessary impact in abuse prevention.
So we find a different way. See how you can contribute today.
We work with clients to connect discrete points of service and build supportive social networks within a framework of trauma-informed care. We help make different social service interventions more effective, bridging gaps between service providers and helping survivors become stronger and more resilient over time.
But we can’t do it alone. Join our community of supporters, and make change in your community today.
ACROSS OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS, 21,000 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SAFE SHELTER AND HEALING PROVIDED EACH YEAR.
20 April 20, 2018
Building healthy relationships, to heal from unhealthy ones At The Second Step, we believe that bringing LGBQ/T youth and allies together in community is critical to growth and connectedness. LGBQ/T youth often feel marginalized by their community or families, so this group, facilitated by TSS together with community partners, will be a space for youth to build connections...
21 November 21, 2017
Purchase tickets, sponsor, or donate now! Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 Newton Marriott 6:00pm Cocktails & Silent Auction 7:00pm Dinner Program & Documentary Play Honoree: Joyce Kulhawik, Emmy-Award winning Arts & Entertainment Critic Celebrating Success is a powerful and inspirational evening, bringing together over 400 individuals and businesses from Greater Boston to support survivors of domestic...
24 October 24, 2017
Thursday, October 26, 2017 7-9 pm Social Restaurant & Bar, 320 Washington Street, Newton Corner Have fun, raise awareness, and support survivors of domestic violence with The Second Step! Pair up, team up, and show off your knowledge of arcane facts while doing good in our community. Click here to register: thesecondstep.ejoinme.org/trivianight or call...
9 August 9, 2017
The Second Step’s premier fall event – Step Up to the Plate – is an intimate dinner event with 15 concurrent dinner parties on the evening of Saturday, November 4, 2017. Located in the private homes of our gracious hosts in Newton and surrounding towns, each dinner features a gourmet meal, engaging dinner companions, and a...
22 January 22, 2017
Purchase tickets, sponsor or donate now! Please join us as we celebrate 25 years of successes at the 25th Annual Celebrating Success Gala at The Westin Hotel in Waltham. Celebrating Success is a powerful and inspirational evening, with a cocktail reception, silent auction, and dinner program, bringing together over 450 individuals and businesses from Greater...
2 November 2, 2016
We hope you or your organization will participate in our 17th Annual Holiday Gift Drive benefitting the families of The Second Step! To join this year’s Donor Angels, please contact Cindy Laughrea, 617-467-5334 or email holidaygiftdrive@thesecondstep.org by Monday, November 11, 2016. To ensure that each of our more than 100 families receive their gifts before the holidays,...
10 October 10, 2016
Step Up to the Plate – in its 12th year in 2016 – is an intimate dinner event with 16 concurrent dinner parties on the evening of Saturday, November 5, 2016. Located in the private homes of our gracious hosts in Newton and surrounding towns, each dinner features a gourmet meal, engaging dinner companions, and...
29 September 29, 2016
On Thursday, September 29th, The Second Step is releasing our long-awaited and highly impactful book about surviving domestic violence – as told through the intimate stories of survivors themselves. Five years ago, six survivors of domestic violence gathered in a room and began to share their secrets. As the women explored topics related to their experience, it...
Since 1992, we have partnered with thousands of survivors to build better futures.
If you are afraid for your immediate
safety CALL 911.
SAFELINK (Massachusetts-wide,
24-hour, toll-free domestic violence
hotline): 1-877-785-2020
National Domestic Violence
Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE(7233)
Pet Safety – Domestic Violence
Pet Safety Hotline: 781-235-8460
Call us at:
617-965-3999
Our offices are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, and outside of these hours by appointment.
You can also learn more about our programs here, and email us at: