WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE 2026: Supporting Human Trafficking Survivors in Greater Hartford
Community Powered Giving Circle Opens Membership – No Minimum Donation Required
WEST HARTFORD, CT – Aurora’s Women’s Giving Circle is proud to announce its 2026 membership campaign, inviting community members across Greater Hartford to unite in collective action to support women and girls who have survived human trafficking, exploitation, and abuse.
Human trafficking is not a distant issue; it is happening in our communities right now. Since 2007, there’s been 508 documented cases in Connecticut impacting more than 1,000 survivors, and countless more cases going unreported. The need for coordinated compassionate support has never been greater. Aurora’s Women’s Giving Circle offers every community member a meaningful way to respond.
“Every voice matters. Every gift counts. Whether you give $10 or $10,000, you belong here,” says Executive Director Jennifer Steadman, PhD.
About the Women’s Giving Circle
The Aurora’s Women’s Giving Cricle is a collective philanthropic model that pools individual contributions of any size to deliver meaningful, targeted support to local nonprofit organizations. Members are not passive donors; they are active participants who learn, deliberate, and vote together on where community resources will have the greatest impact.
100% of all member contributions are distributed directly to selected local organizations.
2026 Giving Circle Meeting Schedule
Session 1 – May 6, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (Zoom) Human Trafficking: An Overview with Yvette Young from The Village for Families and Children
Session 2 – May 13, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (Zoom): Hearing from Community Organizations Supporting Survivors
Session 3 – May 20, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (Zoom): Hearing from Community Organizations Supporting Survivors
Session 4 – June 3, 11:30 AM (In-Person): Funding with Intention Member Discussion, Vote on where funding goes & Lunch
All Zoom meetings will be recorded
Why Human Trafficking Survivors – Why Now?
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by human trafficking. Across Greater Hartford, survivors are navigating exploitation, violence and deeply complex paths to safety, often with limited access to resources.
Community partners consistently report:
Survivors who are afraid to come forward or seek help
Women and girls trapped in cycles of exploitation and violence
High demand for services, with providers stretched thin and navigating complex needs
Significant barriers to safe housing, legal aid, and long-term healing
Aurora’s Women’s Giving Circle responds with compassion, care, and the collective strength of community.
How to Become a 2026 Member
Membership in the Aurora’s Women’s Giving Circle is open to everyone. There is no minimum donation required. Every member has an equal voice in the funding process, regardless of the size of their contribution.
Join online today at aurorafoundation.org/giving-circle
Prefer to give by check? Make checks payable to Aurora Women and Girls Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 370537, West Hartford, CT 06137. Please write “Giving Circle Membership” in the memo line.
Media Contact & More Information:
Aurora Women and Girls Foundation
Anisah Colon-Simon
anisah@aurorafoundation.org
860-969-3435
About Aurora Women and Girls Foundation
The Aurora Women and Girls Foundation was founded in 2000 by a group of community leaders who sought to lift-up women and girls through focused philanthropy. Aurora galvanizes resources to increase gender and racial equity through economic security, educational attainment, and leadership for women and girls in the Greater Hartford region. We envision strong, equitable communities in which all women and girls realize their potential and are full, valued, and sought-after participants -- economically, politically, and socially.
Aurora is grateful to the following Community Partners for their 2026 annual operating support: American Eagle Financial Credit Union; Ares Management; Barnes Group; the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity (CWCSEO); the Goss Family; the Green & Blue Foundation; Jennifer Pennoyer, MD; Liberty Bank; NBT Bank; Northwest Community Bank; PwC; Reid and Riege; Robinson + Cole; Ruel Ruel Burns Feldman Kukucka & Britt; ; Symetra; Talcott Financial; Tokio Marine HHC; ; UConn Health Disparities Institute; The Village for Families and Children; Wealthspire; Mark and Barbara Wetzel; and Whittlesey.