WESTFORD — On the night of Feb. 1, 2010, Jody Marchand’s life changed forever when her husband shot a bullet that lodged in her shoulder and took the life of her daughter Olivia. A pivotal moment that divided Marchand’s life into a “before” and “after.”
Now, over a decade later, Marchand’s organization Live for Liv has helped survivors of domestic violence through providing financial aid and shelter. Marchand has dedicated the organization to helping survivors rebuild a life of their own.
As survivors of domestic violence themselves, Marchand and President of Live for Liv, Mary McCauley have found great fulfillment through helping survivors.
“It’s a full-time job and we’re a strictly volunteer-run organization. You really need to have committed people,” McCauley told WestfordCAT.
Despite challenges presented by the pandemic, Live for Liv has continued to provide for survivors. Old events such as Run for Liv, Ride for Liv, were held virtually and met with great success. New events, such as Titan Ten, which hosts 10 days of activities for children also found success online.
“We had a lot of fun with it. We were happy to have something to do and to keep it alive,” McCauley said.
Looking to the future, the organization hopes to raise enough grant money to form “Liv’s Independence House, a multifamily property which will serve as transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence.
Additionally, Live for Liv plans to spread awareness on the signs of domestic violence and how anyone can be affected. Marchand believes that young people should be educated early, in hopes that she can share her story at Westford Academy in the future.
“If I had heard someone speak while I was in my younger years, in high school, maybe then I would’ve realized the things [that] my then-boyfriend did were abusive,” Marchand told WestfordCAT.
As an organization, the pair hopes to continue to provide additional resources to survivors in need.
“It’s always about Olivia. However, it is also about helping victims in one shape or another, and we have money to give,” Marchand said.
Live for Liv’s upcoming event Ride for Liv, Run for Liv is scheduled for July 24. It will be held in person for the first time since 2020. Donations to Live for Liv can be made on PayPal.
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