A top volunteer’s tireless service to Independence House in Hyannis was recognized with a $10,000 donation to the organization from a Kraft family foundation this week.
For the past 25 years, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation have been recognizing volunteers for going above and beyond to give back to their communities through the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program. Formerly known as the Community Quarterback Awards, this volunteer recognition was renamed in 2011 in memory of Myra Kraft.
On Thursday, June 8, during an awards luncheon ceremony at Gillette Stadium, Sue French, a long-time Independence House volunteer was recognized by Robert Kraft and son, Josh Kraft; as one of 26 outstanding volunteers across New England and for her contributions to Independence House. The Kraft family and New England Patriots Foundation awarded a gift to Independence House of $10,000 as part of this recognition.
French has been an integral part of Independence House for more than three decades. Over the years, she has provided child care for survivor parents of domestic and sexual violence who attended Independence House programs and were taking part in individual or group counseling services. French also provided this coverage for when clients of Independence House needed to travel for court services.
She expanded her volunteer role in helping Independence House administration with the creation and implementation of its SAFEHOME program. French and her husband Rich, also an longtime Independence House volunteer, opened their home to provide this safety on countless occasions over a 20-year span, assisting women and their children, protecting many lives from further harm and potential loss of life.
French has also been a leading volunteer in Independence House’s medical and police accompaniment (MPA) services for the past 25 years. Providing emergency critical response to sexual assault survivors, she travels in the evening and overnight hours to either Cape Cod or Falmouth Hospital as well as to any of the 15 police departments on Cape Cod when a call comes in to meet with sexual assault victims.
“Sue is an outstanding and much-loved volunteer who has helped hundreds of survivors of domestic and sexual violence over the years,” said Independence House Executive Director, Lysetta Hurge-Putnam. “We can’t believe our good fortune in having Sue as volunteer all the years! She is dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate in her service to Independence House and our clients. We are excited and honored that the Myra Kraft Foundation has chosen to recognize and uplift Sue and her deep and meaningful volunteer contributions.”
Sue French responded to her nomination and prestigious award recognition by the Kraft Family and New England Patriots Foundation: “I am deeply humbled and honored to be a recipient of this special award on behalf of Independence House. Because of the private nature of the work we do, we don’t often talk about it. Independence House is an agency that quietly changes lives every day on Cape Cod and we’re all very dedicated and committed to our mission, one survivor at a time. Thank you for honoring all the work that the staff and the team of strong volunteers do for all the people who use the many services of Independence House.”
