Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2021 Portal To Hope celebrates 25 years T he award-winning Massachusetts nonprofit organization, Portal To Hope (PTH) is celebrating 25 years in providing services to people whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking crimes. Driven by the voices of survivors, PTH is community-based in Everett, Lynn, Malden, Medford and Winthrop. Serving these and neighboring communities, PTH has been grateful to have the support of grassroots activists and community leaders over the years. Founded in Malden in 1996 by Deborah Fallon, PTH has thrived under her leadership and dedicated team members who serve an average of 900 people Pictured from left to right are PTH Volunteers Nita Yung, Bishop Robert Brown and Pedro Queiroga. each year. Having strong roots in the Malden community as the daughter of former Mayor of Malden Thomas Fallon and Janice Fallon, Fallon partnered with Rev. Frank Silva at the Immaculate Conception Parish to begin offering Support Groups to survivors. By year-end 1996, Fallon partnered with Rev. Paul Garrity of St. Mary’s Parish in Lynn for the same purpose; and PTH gained the help of 75 new volunteers. By 1998, PTH partnered with former Everett Mayor David Ragucci and Everett Police Chief James Rogers to create the first law enforcement program of its kind in the Commonwealth whereby a civilian team worked onsite at a police department to provide direct care services to crime victims. This effort, known as EVAPorate Violence, has received national acclaim under the leadership of Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie, including having been featured on the national talk show, The Montel Williams Show, and awarded by the AVON Hello Tomorrow Fund. Last month, Fallon received the Purple Ribbon – Survivor of the Year Award from Theresa's Fund. As a survivor of violent crime, Fallon has dedicated her life to helping others struggling through domestic violence. “The experience back in 1995 was definitely life-changing,” said Fallon. “Walking through the criminal justice system and meeting other survivors in the courts, I felt much gratitude – not just to have survived the attack but to have the support of my family, friends and others. Most of the people whom we help at PTH do not have built-in support systems. So, it is an absolute privilege to be doing the work that we do as Victim Advocates, because what it comes down to is being that support person for someone and reminding them of their own strengths.” One of 11 children, Fallon’s family members have long volunteered at PTH. Her sister, Malden City Solicitor Kathryn Fallon, has provided pro-bono legal services to victims of domestic violence for years. Fallon’s brother, Michael Fallon, founder of the My Sister Mary Foundation, volunteers his time managing the organization’s website, and her husband, Malden Firefighter and a Deputy Fire Chief in the United States Air Force, SMSgt. PORTAL | SEE PAGE 21
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