Golfers Raise $28,000 to Help Domestic Violence Victims

Crystal Garrett, 31, of Hartford, managed to escape after six hours of her boyfriend strangling her, throwing her around and threatening to kill her.

She remembers every gruesome detail of the July 3, 2009 incident and it's tough for her to talk about. However, she told her story anyways Tuesday to a crowd of mostly women – about 90 golfer at a dinner after Community Renewal Team's Tee Off with Women golf tournament at in Avon.

"Somebody has to be a voice. If my story can help other females, I have no problem sharing," Garrett said.

The event raised about $28,000 to be split evenly between CRT, of Hartford, and Interval House, which has offices in Simsbury, Hartford and Manchester. Major sponsor UPS donated $20,000.

Garrett, now a mother of two, went to CRT for help with housing, including getting furniture, working with supportive housing program case manager Ymonne Wilson. Garrett has also received guidance in crafting a resume and seeking employment. CRT has even helped her "do fun things" with her kids like take them to Lake Compounce in Bristol.

"I want to thank Ymonne," Garrett said. "She's good and she helps me." 

Another goal of hers is to go back to school to continue her medical training and become a certified nurse's assistant. Wilson said she checks in with Garrett every couple of months about her progress on her goals. CRT case managers do this with all their clients to give them the extra push they need and overcome their struggles.

"You've got to know where you've been to help you know where you're going," said Lena Rodriguez, president and CEO of CRT.

Garrett has signed up for a placement test for her program and will likely start classes at Capitol Community College in Hartford in the fall.

"I like dealing with people and I like helping people," she said.

The support that Garrett's family and the Community Renewal Team have given her embody the spirit of the event – women helping other women.

"Kudos to all the women," said Lisa Wilson-Foley, 15-year owner of the Blue Fox Run.

Speaker of the House Chris Donovan, her opponent in the race for the open 5th District Congressional seat, was co-chairman of the event with Acting Connecticut Child Advocate Mickey Kramer, but he did not attend. However, Rodriguez praised his support for programs advocating domestic violence victims and starting a task force pertaining to response to domestic violence incidents. Mae Flexer, who is on the task force was present.

Cecile Enrico, executive director and co-founder of Interval House, said that her organization began in 1978 when domestic violence wasn't on the public radar and there wasn't a place for victims to go. In the beginning there was a hotline for people who have been abused, a support group and a church group at Asylum Hill Congregational Church that wanted to build shelters for domestic abuse victims. The three merged as Interval House.

Enrico, who endured 13 years of an abusive relationship, said that some women won't acknowledge that they're domestic violence victims unless they go to the hospital. However, there are many forms of abuse, including psychological, physical, emotional, sexual and economic, she said.

She said fear is prevalent among women in abusive relationships, who often want their partner to change. From her experience and starting the Women Share support group, she learned that the only person you can change is yourself.

While fear is something Garrett had as a victim of domestic violence, she has shown great courage since.

"Although I went through this tragic experience, this man has not ended my life," Garrett said.