May 22nd, 2025 - Lake Pearl Wrentham
On Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, New Hope presented five awards to members of our community and organizations who share the vision for a world free of violence and exploitation. Alongside the honorees, former CEO Marcia Szymanski received a special honor for her decade long leadership and as the catalyzing force to build House of Hope, the agency’s new domestic violence shelter that opened in March 2025.
Sophie*, a shelter participant at New Hope, shared the backstory of the event’s logo. She said, “Knowing of my passion for art, an advocate invited me to create the design for this year’s Highlights of Hope event. I immediately thought of sunshine, birds flying free, flowers blooming, and a path forward.”
The night included performances by the fabulous Emcees, Daishadore Famouz and Victoria Obvious, a silent auction and raffle prizes, and a night dedicated to raising funds to ensure that New Hope can continue providing free and confidential sexual and domestic violence services.
The 2025 Awardees are:
Business of the Year Award: Bristol County Savings Bank
Volunteer of the Year Award (Individual): Cheryl Gray
Volunteer of the Year Award (Business): Schneider Electric
Community Partner of the Year Award: Dolores Toribio of Seven Hills
Edith Palmer Award: Greg and Kathy Spier of the Spier Family Foundation
