ensure the safety of its clients , who are women and girls .
In June , the County Board of Supervisors announced it would allocate $ 5 million of its new fiscal year budget to domestic violence programs . Supervisors will consider making an additional $ 5 million allocation in January . The funds will help the county provide domestic violence survivors with vital resources for housing , employment training , mental health , and childcare .
From Shelter to Self-Sufficiency
According to Perla Flores , Division Director for Community Solutions , “ The need for services provided by La Isla Pacifica has increased . We are typically operating at capacity — with 14 beds for domestic violence survivors and 4 beds for survivors of human trafficking crimes — and the average stay is 45 days .”
Community Solutions ’ clients reflect the county demographic ( 60 percent are people of color with the majority being Latina ). Their educational backgrounds range from illiterate to college graduate . More often than not , they lack economic independence and a support network ; conditions that conspire to trap them in a cycle of domestic violence .
“ We try to meet survivors where they are , with a traumainformed approach to service ,” Flores explained . We ask , ‘ What ’ s happened ?’ rather than ‘ What ’ s wrong with you ?’”
Flores explained how case managers serve clients . “ The first step is to assess what a survivor needs so we can determine how to empower them by providing food , shelter , clothing , safety , and access to medical and mental health services . During crisis intervention , we work to establish stability and security , which may involve a restraining order and relocation .”
The second step is to establish stability , including connecting clients to resources needed for self-sufficiency . This may include navigating the social services benefits system , having access to family law or immigration attorneys , studying ESL , or vocational training . There ’ s a lot of ground to cover and the process can take six or eight months .
“ In Santa Clara County there ’ s a huge lack of affordable housing ,” Flores said . “ Program funding allows us to provide subsidies to some domestic violence survivors so they can maintain a lease with some rental support ,” Flores said . Case managers develop relationships with apartment owners , and with individual homeowners who can sublease a room to clients .”
Group workshops focus on resume building , parenting and other life skills . A therapist is available for individual and family counseling . Community Solutions works closely with county and local municipal and social services agencies and law enforcement to coordinate services for optimal access by clients .
“ Every Wednesday we have support resources at the South County Family Justice Center so survivors can get all their needs met in one place ,” Flores added .
It ’ s a Community Issue
According to Flores , “ Funds are important , but community awareness is more important . It ’ s the only way we ’ re going to eradicate domestic violence . Domestic violence and genderbased violence are only able to thrive when there ’ s isolation . It ’ s not a private family issue , it ’ s everyone ’ s issue .”
“ We need resources to develop and implement prevention programs , particularly in our schools , and for research / evaluation of domestic violence . Roughly 40 percent of our shelter clients are foreign born . The current administration is not very supportive of efforts to provide resources and relief to foreign-born victims . When there ’ s fear , they may turn to individuals who ’ ll make false promises and take advantage of them , instead of agencies prepared to help .
We need to educate everyone in every neighborhood . We want people to let their friends and neighbors know that free , confidential information and representation is available to anyone who is experiencing domestic violence and abuse . Our local and county partners are committed to working with us to make this happen .
24-HOUR CRISIS LINES
AACI Asian Women ’ s Home 1-408-975-2739 — dv . aaci . org and www . facebook . com / AACIorg
Community Solutions Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse : 1-877-363-7238 Youth & Family Crisis Line : 1-408-683-4118 communitysolutions . org — facebook . com / CommunitySolutions
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence 1-408-279-2962 — nextdoor . org — facebook . com / NextDoorSolutions
YWCA Silicon Valley 1-800-572-2782 ywca-sv . org — facebook . com / supportnetworkforbatteredwomen
Maitri 1-888-862-4874 — maitri . org and www . facebook . com / maitribayarea
EVENTS
Black , White & Bling Community Solutions Gala Fundraiser • November 3rd from 6-11pm Leal Granada Theatre ( 17440 Monterey Road , Morgan Hill ) Dinner , live and silent auctions , live music and dancing . Get tickets : communitysolutions . org
" Understanding Sexual Violence Through a Cultural Lens " Child Abuse Prevention Council of Santa Clara County MH Community & Cultural Center November 2nd • 8:30 am to 12:30 pm ( English / Spanish bi-lingual presentation ) Light breakfast provided . RVSP online at : sccgov . org / sites / cac / Pages / cac . aspx
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018 gmhtoday . com