Amelia's Voice, a non-profit, hosted the first of many fundraisers to raise money in an effort to open a refuge for domestic violence victims. Pictured is the board for Amelia's Voice; Jeremy Tompkins, Patti Pollock, April Wakefield, Donna Wakefield, Larry Tompkins, Tami Menard, Maria Wakefield, and Rebecca Walling, (not pictured) David Wakefield. (Picture by Catherine Sasso)

OXFORD – On Saturday, non-profit organization Amelia's Voice held the first fundraising event to raise funds and awareness for Amelia's House.

The mission of Amelia's Voice is to advocate for a community filled with healthy relationships that are free from violence and control. The 501(c)(3) hopes to open a refuge for victims of domestic violence in Chenango County.

"With the bail reform the way it is, and domestic violence, and COVID everybody is stuck at home and this has just increased the amount of need for domestic violence victims to have a place to go to feel safe, get their independence back and to get free from violence. That is our main goal, to help Chenango County domestic violence victims so no other families have to endure the pain and trauma that this family has had to endure," said President of Amelia's Voice Patti Pollock.

The organization is raising money through private donations, self run fundraisers, and community grants.

"We just don't want to work with state and federal funding because we don't want to be locked into their timelines and want to be able to do it the right way," said Vice President Donna Wakefield.