GREENFIELD — The New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT) will reflect on 50 years of providing sexual and domestic violence crisis services for Franklin County and the North Quabbin residents with its 16th annual “Power to Persevere” fundraiser.

This year’s event, set for 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, at Terrazza Ristorante, will honor victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence while also raising money for the services NELCWIT provides. The celebration will feature a buffet dinner, a cash bar and music by Two for Jazz with vocalist Arlene Robbins.

Keynote speaker, the Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian, has been an anti-racism educator since 1985. She spent many years traveling the country leading diversity, equity and inclusion workshops with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum. She is also the founder and director of the Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership, which offers free movement-building Zoom classes to participants from coast to coast.

“We offer this event on a sliding fee scale in the hope that our broader community will come together to honor and uplift the extraordinary resilience of survivors of domestic and sexual violence — and the dedicated advocates who work beside them in building lives of safety, healing and empowerment,” NELCWIT’s Executive Director Amanda Sanderson said in a statement about the “Power to Persevere” event. “Through this gathering, we hope survivors will feel the strength of community support, and that when they are ready, they will know they are not alone — that help is available at every part of their journey. Whereas isolation fuels violence, connection and care are among the most powerful tools for healing and change.”

Mary Kociela, chair of the Friends of NELCWIT, which organizes the fundraiser, explained the idea behind the first “Power to Persevere” was to celebrate International Women’s Day. She recalled it was a breakfast at the Blue Heron Restaurant in Sunderland in early March. Diane Patrick, the wife of then-Gov. Deval Patrick and a survivor of domestic violence from a previous marriage, was the first event’s featured speaker.

“It’s evolved from there,” Kociela recalled. “We kind of grew out of that space, so that shows you the community support.”

NELCWIT’s sexual and domestic violence crisis services are available to people of all genders, sexual orientations and abilities, and to people of any immigration status. All services are free of charge, do not require health insurance and are available in Spanish. To talk to a staff member or schedule an appointment, call the 24/7 hotline at 413-772-0806.

Kociela said “Power to Persevere” is “a way for people to rally around survivors.” The goal is to raise $45,000, of which $33,000 has already been generated by underwriters and business sponsors.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.