Newtown resident Barbara Cottingham sits on the board of the Women’s Center, and is always trying to get the word out on the many services provided by the Danbury-based support service that assists more than 25,000 men, women, and children every year.

“It is such an important community resource,” said Ms Cottingham, adding that among the many served last year alone, were more than 1,100 Newtown residents. “Letting people know about all of the good work [the Women’s Center does] helps in so many ways,” she said.

The Women’s Center relies on donations for more than half of the funds required to run the center. This coming year, The Women’s Center will have the assistance of Yoga Dimensions, 87 South Main  Street, Newtown.

One Sunday a month, beginning Sunday, February 1, Yoga Dimensions will host an afternoon yoga workshop fundraiser, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support the Women’s Center.

Yoga Dimensions has done an annual workshop in support of the Women’s Center in past years, said owner Lynda Weber, but this year has decided to “keep it going, to give them a more substantial response.”

Ms Cottingham and another Women’s Center board member have been longtime students at Yoga Dimensions, Ms Weber said.

“I’ve gotten to know what [the center] does through them, and we think it’s an extremely worthy cause,” she said.

The Women’s Center, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, works to end domestic violence and sexual assault. The center provides free and confidential services to victims of violence, including men, women, and children. The organization staffs two hot lines, one for domestic violence and one for sexual assault, 24/7/365.

Support services are available in Bethel, Brookfield, Kent, New Milford, Redding, Roxbury, Warren, Bridgewater, Danbury, New Fairfield, Newtown, Ridgefield, Sherman, and Washington. Emergency response is provided onsite at local hospitals, police departments, and at court. Walk-ins are served at the 2 West Street office in Danbury.

Counseling services are offered on a broad range of topics, and free education programs are provided in schools, businesses, social and civic groups, and faith-based organizations.

Yoga Dimensions is committed to reaching out beyond the walls of the studio. Past fundraisers have supported the Resiliency Center of Newtown, Kevin’s Community Center, and the FAITH Food Pantry.

“Yoga Dimensions offers these workshops, because within the studio, it’s a community. Yoga is not just a physical practice, but a spiritual connection,” Ms Weber said. “We realize there are things out there we can do something about. [This kind of support] is a natural extension of yoga,” she said.

The first Women’s Center fundraiser takes place Sunday, February 1, from 2 to 3:30, at Yoga Dimensions. It will be a mixed level, Vinyasa flow practice, led by Kristi Gunnarshaug, an instructor at the yoga studio. The practice is suitable to yogis of all levels of expertise. Ms Gunnarshaug will be the primary leader for the upcoming Sunday afternoon programs in support of the Women’s Center, as well, said Ms Weber There is a suggested donation of $30 for each fundraiser, but donations in any amount are appreciated. For more information and to register for programs supporting the Women’s Center, call 203-364-9500.

For additional information on the Women’s Center and its programs, visit www.wcogd.org or call 203-731-5200.