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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.

I need help I want to help

A Way From Violence

Through Connection

Through Healing

Through Community

To Self Reliance.

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.

Our programs

Who We Are.

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.

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ACROSS OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS, 21,000 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SAFE SHELTER AND HEALING PROVIDED EACH YEAR.

LGBQ/T Relationships Youth Group – starting May 1st @6:30pm!

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...

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Celebrating Success Gala & Documentary Play

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...

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Trivia Night

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...

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Step Up to the Plate – November 4, 2017

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...

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25th Annual Celebrating Success, Thursday April 27th

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...

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17th Annual Holiday Gift Drive

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,...

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Step Up to the Plate – November 5, 2016

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...

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“No More Secrets” book launched September 29

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...

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Get help.

Since 1992, we have partnered with thousands of survivors to build better futures.

If you are afraid for your immediate
safety CALL 911.

Telephone icon

Emergency Shelter
and Safety Planning

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

CONTACT THE
SECOND STEP

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:

Residential

Community

Steps to Justice

Youth and Prevention