The Second Step's Gala Premieres Documentary Play. 3/28

The Second Step, a nonprofit organization serving and supporting survivors of domestic violence, hosts its 26th annual Celebrating Success Gala on Wednesday, March 28, at Boston Marriott Newton, 2345 Commonwealth Ave., Newton.

Cocktail hour and a silent auction kick off the evening at 6 pm, followed by a seated dinner and the premiere presentation of the original documentary play No More Secrets: Survivor Voices from The Second Step, based on a book written by survivors from The Second Step. All proceeds benefit nearly 800 adults and children the organization supports each year, as they move from abuse to lives of safety, stability, and well-being.

Celebrating Success Gala is a powerful and inspirational evening, gathering more than 400 supporters and businesses from Greater Boston, and bolstering vital resources for survivors of domestic violence. The event serves as the world premiere performance of the documentary play No More Secrets, Survivor Voices from The Second Step, curated by playwright/director Lisa Rafferty. The touching account is based on the powerful book No More Secrets: Healing from Domestic Violence, penned by women in The Second Step's narrative healing group, and includes voices from its youth programs, as a source of education, inspiration, and hope to survivors, families and communities.

The evening's spotlight honoree is Joyce Kulhawik, Emmy Award-winning Arts and Entertainment Critic, for her enduring support of The Second Step's mission, serving as advisory board member and event emcee for more than eight years. Kulhawik is best known for her Emmy Award-winning programs on WBZ-TV. She has also co-hosted nationally syndicated movie review programs with Roger Ebert & Leonard Maltin. She serves as President of the Boston Theater Critics Association, a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics, and an on-air contributor to WBUR radio's show The ARTery. Kulhawik is a three-time cancer survivor and has received countless awards for her career achievements and advocacy on behalf of cancer patients as well as the arts.

Founders' Awards will also be presented, honoring several exceptional community partners who reflect The Second Step's vision, dedication, and mission.

In addition to the premiering documentary, playwright/director/producer Lisa Rafferty is the creator of several documentary plays addressing important social issues. Most recently, her works include The Legacy Of Welles Remy Crowther: The Man in the Red Bandanna, chronicling the story of a 9/11 hero, and Finish Line, the gripping documentary on the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Feeding Sisters: The Voices of Women's Lunch Place, and the light-hearted while dramatic breast cancer comedy Pink Ribbon Overdose. Her comedies The MOMologues (1, 2, and 3) have appeared in five countries. She is also the producing director of the Elliot Norton Awards and teaches at Bridgewater State University.

The Second Step (TSS) is a community of survivors, advocates, and volunteers who foster the safety, stability, and well-being of those who have experienced domestic violence. TSS was founded in 1992 by four women who observed that a short shelter stay alone was insufficient to help survivors break away from abuse. Today, TSS provides 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. The organization achieves its mission by helping clients find and sustain housing; increase social-emotional skills and resiliency from trauma; access meaningful resources; and build lives that are stable, sustainable, and free from violence and abuse. The Second Step is a 501c(3) nonprofit.

Tickets to the Celebrating Success Gala are $300, a table of 8 seats is $2500.00, many sponsorship packages are also available. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.thesecondstep.org. For sponsorship or advertising information, contact Suzanne Wakefield, Events & Development Manager at swakefield@thesecondstep.org or 617-916-2758; or Deborah Maini, Director of Development at dmaini@thesecondstep.org or 617-467-5637.

The Second Step (TSS) is a community of survivors, advocates, and volunteers who foster the safety, stability, and well-being of those who have experienced domestic violence. TSS was founded in 1992 by four women who observed that a short shelter stay alone was insufficient to help survivors break away from abuse. Today, TSS provides 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. The organizations achieves its mission by helping clients: find and sustain housing; increase social-emotional skills and resiliency from trauma; access meaningful resources; and build lives that are stable, sustainable, and free from violence and abuse, making it one of the few truly comprehensive domestic violence agencies in Massachusetts. The Second Step is a 501c(3) nonprofit. For more information, visit www.thesecondstep.org, or follow The Second Step on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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