Woman Haven shelter gets boost in the arm from Hueso check.
Acknowledging vital services Woman Haven the Center for Family Solutions provides Sen. Ben Hueso (D-40th) presented the nonprofit with a check for $200,000 Friday.
Hueso, a longtime proponent of Woman Haven which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing for violence victims, has long supported legislation to assist domestic abuse victims. The check was disbursed through the California Housing and Community Development Emergency Solutions Grant
“I wanted to express my continued support for your work,” he said during the presentation. “I’m a big fan of what you do for families and recognize the enormous contribution you make.”
Just four years ago Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation sponsored by Hueso named Kathy’s Law (named for murder victim Kathy Scharbarth) Assembly Bill 2467 that allows judges to order electronic monitoring of a perpetrator in certain domestic violence cases in conjunction with a restraining order.
“Sen. Hueso is an amazing person, although I wasn’t familiar with Kathy’s Law, but it alerts a victim whose offender gets too close,” said Judith Klein Pritchard, Woman Haven director of legal services. “We’re very thoughtful Hueso would appear personally, and the fact he takes a personal interest meeting survivors and granting the importance of what we do.”
Also speaking at the presentation was a domestic abuse victim formerly sheltered by Woman Haven but who recently transitioned to the Rapid re-housing program (part of American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009). America, is a young woman who asked the Press not to disclose her surname, recalled at the beginning of 2016 after escaping her abusive domicile she had no place to go until Woman Haven intervened.
“I’ve seen how my two kids were going through depression when I just arrived but after a year I can see the change in their faces and how improved they are,” said America. “And even though I still take parenting classes here, I’m eager to continue with college where I’ll major in psychology.”
In the fiscal year of 2015/2016, Woman Haven assisted 271 women and children in its emergency shelter and of those 141 were transferred into the Rapid re-housing program to retain permanent housing, note De De Chavez, Woman Haven board member.
“A majority of victims become homeless getting out of a domestic violence situation,” said Chavez. “So we’d like to thank Sen. Hueso for his continued support during these difficult fiscal times. His work on our behalf helps us continue to provide for so many in need.”
The grant they received is actually a part of ongoing aid that began with the fiscal year starting last September. But to continue the support they must demonstrate they are successfully helping homeless with rental assistance, utilities, establishing credit and job seeking.
“Usually we provide housing for two or three months, but some need it for 18 months,” said Chavez. “So thanks to Sen. Hueso’s invaluable help and our astounding staff we are able to accommodate that.”
Woman Haven provides families resources when there’s no place left to turn to, noted Hueso.
“I think we have the resources in our country to combat domestic violence,” he said. “It creates a traumatic effect in children. We must provide support for our children, they’re the future. And the service Woman Haven provides is essential.”