A trusted resource for more than 44 years, the East Los Angeles Women’s Center strives to create safe and healthy communities.
"Young Girl and Boy"
Courtesy of Yolanda Gonzalez
MARCH
2ND ANNUAL HEALTH AND RESOURCE FAIR
More than 500 attended and celebrated International Women's Day & National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
OCTOBER
MUJERES DE PAZ ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
A night filled with powerful testimonies and ceremony. More than 250 people walked to remember victims and honor survivors of domestic violence.
JANUARY
2nd ANNUAL YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT
ELAWC's Youth Leaders brought together 150 attendees for an impactful day with inspiring speakers and action-oriented workshops.
AUGUST
ENTREJIENDO NUESTRAS VIDAS
A symposium for Promotoras in collaboration with the Universidad Central Del Caribe Bayamón focused on mental health and trauma.
SEPTEMBER
LUNAFEST
Short films for, by and about women; a special screening of Soledad de los Incendios and a celebrity panel discussion.
ELAWC continues to walk side-by-side with survivors to forge a path to hope. In the past 44 years we have grown from a small, culturally-responsive group of volunteers devoted to responding to the crisis hotline calls of Latina survivors of sexual and domestic violence. The small group of founding volunteers then began our official agency offering support and services to survivors. Over the subsequent years, we have gradually grown in scope and strength (52 staff and over 250 volunteers) to better serve the needs of the diverse populations we see every day in our communities.
In 2018, ELAWC embarked on a new journey to tackle the growing problem of homelessness among domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. We first opened The Hope & Heart emergency shelter in 2018, providing women and children in crisis a safe place. “The House,” a transitional housing program opened in 2019. “The House” ensures women and their children have a stable place to live for up to 18 months while learning new skills and how to become economically independent. Addressing the wider community, our housing solutions program extends to those on the brink of losing the safety of home, with a cost-effective approach to prevent homelessness.
No one deserves to be homeless, to be unsheltered, to be isolated, to be violated and alone. We also embrace the many women in our communities, who have journeyed to the United States to find a better life, to only be subjected to discrimination, poverty and violence. We understand those who have endured multiple traumas and continue to face life hardships. We stand up for immigrant women who work as janitors, in hotels and in restaurants who have faced work place sexual harassment. We stand united against violence. We stand for justice and human rights for all.
We believe in resiliency and the ability of individuals and communities to heal and promote recovery from trauma. Survivors are respected as they reveal their stories and are supported in their decision making, their choices and goal setting to determine the plan of action they will need to heal and move forward.
ELAWC Staff are facilitators of recovery rather than controllers or enablers of recovery. We understand that healing takes place within the context of community and culture. Our programs provide a spectrum of services. From our culturally grounded Promotora program, that bridges culture, language, and eliminates barriers to traditional mental health services.
As Executive Director, I am proud to carry on ELAWC’s legacy and vision. So much has been accomplished in the past 44 years, I look forward to continued growth and development, as the need is great. It is my honor to work with the dynamic staff, volunteers, and Promotoras We are all deeply grateful to our funders and supporters who make this work possible.
Barbara Kappos, Executive Director , ELAWC
“ I was homeless for 13 years, cycling on the streets, and in shelters and recovery homes. I connected with ELAWC and I am now living in my own apartment.” — Survivor
44 YEARS OF SERVICE
1976
Irene Mendez- Banales and Connie Destito, along with community members, started The East Los Angeles Rape and Battering Hotline.
1980
Expanded services to provide culturally responsive domestic violence services.
1983
Established first Spanish-language self-defense c lass.
1984
Child abuse prevention taught using Teatro throughout LA County.
Housing Solutions
Planting Seeds of Hope
A safe and permanent home is essential for the development of healthy families. Our new transitional housing project is a safe place for survivors and their children to grow and heal. Opened in early 2019, “The House” gives residents a stable place to live for up to 18 months, providing life skills and a chance to attain economic autonomy.
"My life has changed in so many ways, going from uncertainty to stability. My most cherished gifts are my children and now we have a home. I am whole, secure, and connected.”
— Irma
1986
Established AIDS Infoline.
Residents participate in a range of restorative activities at “The House,” including Seeds of Hope, a therapeutic ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Horticultural therapy is a time-proven practice that uses plants and gardening to improve mental and physical health and well-being. With the guidance of trained horticultural therapists, residents grow and nurture plants that provide beauty and food — for the table, and the soul.
Partnerships with Goodwill Industries of Southern California and American’s Job Center of California (AJCC) help residents discover career opportunities and a path to economic empowerment. Through on-site workshops and career counseling, residents identify employment goals and enroll in industry-recognized certification or higher education programs. With all residents employed today, this is a place where women find courage, confidence, financial independence, and eventually, a permanent place to call home. It is a path to hope, a path to home.
IRMA
Meet Irma, Mother of 4
Domestic violence drove Irma and her children from their home. Irma initially stayed at a relative’s home, where they were subjected to unfair treatment. After the death of her mother, Irma reached to substances as a coping mechanism. Pregnant with her fourth child, a baby girl, Irma became determined to turn her life around and entered the Hope + Heart shelter and enrolled in a recovery treatment program.
The therapeutic and healing environment of the shelter brought a sense of stability and the confidence to take her life to a new, positive place. With ELAWC’s help, Irma moved her growing family to a sweet, safe apartment. Many kind donors helped equip Irma’s home with the essentials she needs to start her new life, where she loves cooking lasagna on Sundays for her growing children.
One other positive outcome is Irma’s new-found passion for helping others. We are delighted she will be leading a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) group at ELAWC for women, recovering from past substance abuse.
1997 Launched Promotoras en Accion Contra el SIDA, the first in the nation focused on immigrant Latinas.
2008
Promotora Contra La Violencia: Promotora model expanded to include sexual and domestic violence with first federal grant.
2011
24-Hour Domestic Violence Response Team began offering crisis intervention at the Emergency Center at LAC+USC.
2013
ELAWC co-located at the Wellness Center @ LAC+USC with 23 other organizations to provide services, training & education.
2014
Launched the Promotora Institute and trained more than 1,200 Promotoras in 5 states.
Community Engagement
"Thanks to the staff and the therapy I received at ELAWC I have more confidence. I no longer feel broken, I feel free.”
— Georgina
GEORGINA
Meet Georgina, Mother of 8
2015
Expanded services for human trafficking outreach and substance abuse recovery.
SPOTLIGHT ON Industrial Workers
Georgina arrived in the United States from Puebla, Mexico more than 11 years ago. At first, she worked as a janitor in movie theaters. Working up to 11 hours a day, 7 days a week, she earned a fixed wage of only $400. After a time, she left and began cleaning offices, where she also endured wage theft, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. The lack of dignity and justice took a deep toll on Georgina’s well-being.
Looking to find relief, fairness, and safety at work, she contacted The Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund (MCTF) a union-affiliated watchdog group and an ELAWC partner. Nationally-recognized, MCTF works to eliminate illegal and unfair business practices in the janitorial industry in California.
Recognizing she was a sexual assault survivor, Georgina was referred to ELAWC’s Promotoras Contra La Violencia program for help. She says, “The conversations made me feel comfortable and safe, I could share my story without being judged or blamed."
Georgina’s path to freedom was not easy, but it led her to an empowered life. Now a lead Promotora for ELAWC, she shares her story as part of training more than 200 women across the community. Taking the hard lessons of her earlier years to heart, Georgina founded an industrial cleaning business, giving her employees a safe, fair, and healthy workplace. Georgina is an inspiration to all.
Promotoras Contra La Violencia
ELAWC’s pioneering Promotora model is widely recognized as an effective outreach model to deliver culturally and linguistically-specific education to underserved communities. Initially focused on reaching immigrant communities today we are turning our attention to also working in industrial sectors, serving women janitors and housekeepers, restaurant and factory workers, and others.
As members of an underserved community, Promotoras are uniquely positioned to bring vital resources to their community. They educate community women on women's health, on domestic and sexual violence, and raise awareness of sexual harassment at the workplace. Most importantly, they mobilize communities to end gender-based violence and link individuals to ELAWC for a range of supportive services.
2016
Established Domestic Violence Task force at LAC+ USC and collaborated with SEIU USWW to empower janitors by providing Promotora training.
2017
After 26 years, ELAWC begins a new journey and moves to another location in East Los Angeles.
2018
Established the 1st U.S. hospitalbased emergency shelter for women & families impacted by violence.
2019
Opened transitional housing for 6 families. Certified to provide substance abuse treatment.
Intimate Partner Violence
Finding Esperanza, Finding Hope
Intimate partner violence (IPV), also known as domestic violence (DV) is recognized as a serious national public health problem. In the United States, 1 in 4 women will be exposed to physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking during their lifetime.
To better understand the experiences of Latina survivors living in Los Angeles, ELAWC conducted a study examining the intersection of homelessness and IPV and compounding factors.The assessment expands upon previous victim and community level assessments conducted by ELAWC and will be released in the summer of 2020.
Helping IPV survivors is a core competency of ELAWC. We support survivors with comprehensive culturally-responsive and trauma-informed services including 24 hour emergency response, individual and group therapy, case management, crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, healing groups, community awareness, linkages, and resources.
“
I was broken, I was lost, I never thought I would be where I am now. I am confident. I am proud of myself. I am here. I am better ”
— Janet
Our approach is grounded in a strength-based empowerment model, designed to help survivors identify and build upon their individual strengths and skills. Our goal is to help women achieve economic and personal empowerment so they can establish safe and nurturing environments for themselves and their children. Our mission is to help women find Esperanza or Hope in their lives.
JANET
Domestic Violence Survivor, Mother of 4
For two decades, Janet normalized the intimate partner violence she endured. The abuse initially took the form of psychological manipulation, later becoming physical. In order to isolate her from her friends and family, her abuser took away her phone and transportation and prohibited her from attending important family events, like her son’s graduation. To survive, she appeased him and remained silent. During her pregnancies, his anger escalated to physical abuse, putting her unborn children at risk.
When her youngest children, twins, were just babies, Janet finally found an opportunity to change her life path. Attending a family event, her husband became outwardly violent and abusive in front of others. With threats of police intervention, he left the event. Janet refused to leave with him, giving her an opportunity to break her silence. Relieved to have a support system to rely on, Janet found the courage to gather her children and belongings and leave.
Janet also found the strength to report the ongoing abuse to the authorities, who provided referrals to help her heal. Janet and her children came to ELAWC for therapeutic services. The support she received at ELAWC transformed her life. Today, Janet and her children are thriving. She is an intern in the Human Resources department of a local job center and has a source of financial support. Her knowledge of domestic violence also allows her to help other survivors in her community.
Staff Stories
We are constantly inspired by the committed staff that over the years have become family. Meet the women who help us complete our mission and fill us with Hope for the future. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
THELMA
DIRECTOR OF HIV HEALTH SERVICES | 24 YEARS
“Hope allows me to continue working so that sexual violence ends one day. I believe working together, supporting one another is the key.”
SONIA
DIRECTOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES | 21 YEARS
“ What inspires me to continue are the stories of healing. My hope is that we continue to be the place where silence is heard."
SANDRA
PROMOTORA EDUCATION SPECIALIST | 22 YEARS
“ My passion and commitment to the anti-rape movement inspires my work everyday.”
Male Engagement
A Restorative Justice Approach
With an emphasis on mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, ELAWC’s Male Engagement programs give men a safe place to come together, share and process past experiences and traumas, and explore ways to repair and heal relationships with themselves and others.
In collaboration with Jerry Tello and the National Compadres Network, men with a history of unhealthy relationships are invited to participate in Talking Circles to gain insight into their own past harmful behaviors and discover new ways to establish healthy relationships with others.
“ I believe joining a men’s circle is one the greatest thing a man can do. It has changed my life for the better.”
— Alex
Led by men from the community, Circulos give men a chance to hear the personal stories of other men, reflect on their own lives and relationships, process personal traumas, and develop new skills for coping with stress and conflict. Circles support and embrace men without judgment, helping men become more invested in positive relationships with themselves, their partners, children, family, and community.
ALEX
Meet Alex, Father of 3, Husband, Son
After years of unhealthy relationship patterns, Alex made the brave decision to find help to heal from past childhood sexual trauma. With the help and support of his wife, yet filled with the fear of the unknown, Alex stepped into the Center where he was surprised when “no one judged me or gave me any type of pity.”
Alex joined the Men’s Circles, attending every session for seven months, including a transformative retreat held by the National Compadres Network. “I believe joining a men’s circle is one the greatest thing a man can do. It has changed my life for the better. The fatherhood circle made me realize I was missing out on the affection and love of my family. I feel safe in the circulo and I keep coming so I can be a better husband, father, and son.”
MEN'S CIRCLES
Men's circles offer men a path to begin repairing the harm caused by intimate partner violence. Circulos give men a safe space to reflect and share life experiences; to learn how to establish and maintain positive, healthy relationships; and to master coping and conflict resolution skills. By shifting the paradigm from punitive to restorative, participants learn how to create, and sustain, lives without violence.
2019 Mujeres de Paz Annual Awards Dinner
We shared a glorious night on May 17th at the Omni Hotel, celebrating with supporters, sponsors, donors, volunteers, friends and family at our signature fundraising event, the Mujeres de Paz Annual Awards.
We toasted the exemplary achievements of honorees
Nora Phillips, co-founder & legal director of Al Otro Lado; MARISOL, a short film written and directed by Juan Escobedo; Kaiser Permanente’s leadership in healthcare; and Antoinette “Toni” Harris trailblazing success as college football athlete and scholarship recipient.
Your generous support raised nearly $100,000 of critical unrestricted funds for ELAWC programs. With these contributions we will continue to serve our diverse community, offering dignity, hope, and respect to women, girls, and their families seeking peace, safety, and personal well-being.
HONOREES
MUJERES DE PAZ AWARD
Nora Phillips
Co-Founder and Legal Director of Al Otro Lado
CORPORATE SPIRIT AWARD
Kaiser Permanente
Honoring Health Excellence
ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD
MARISOL
A short film written and directed by Juan Escobedo
ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD
Antoinette “Toni” Harris
Female College Football Trailblazer & Scholarship Recipient
Karla Jimenez Teran, Lead Industrial Promotora, brought the entire house to their feet with her powerful testimonial about her personal journey, and by inviting everyone to "Please rise, if you or someone in your family immigrated, and contributed, to this country"
Over 400 people stood up!
OUR IMPACT
Serving Over 8,000 Community Members Across a Spectrum of Services
The East Los Angeles Women’s Center is a leading voice and advocate for survivors and their families affected by sexual and intimate partner violence, and HIV/AIDS.
ELAWC delivers innovative, comprehensive, culturally-responsive services that build on a foundation of trauma-informed, evidence-based practices designed to heal, support, protect, and empower the communities we serve.
OUR INTERCONNECTED MODEL OF SERVICES
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
YOUTH SERVICES
4,000+ CRISIS CALLS ANNUALLY
500+ HOSPITAL accompaniments supporting survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
350 UNSHELTERED WOMEN received outreach and distribution of backpacks with essential goods.
1,700 Survivors of domestic and sexual violence received bilingual counseling, advocacy and safety planning.
4,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS REACHED IN SIX PROMOTORA COLLECTIVES
90% TRANSITIONED FROM A SHELTER TO A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
CORE INTERVENTION SERVICES
An interconnected model of services that is culturally responsive and trauma informed.
MALE ENGAGEMENT
HEALTH INNOVATIONS
HOUSING SERVICES
319 EMERGENCY RESPONSES AT LAC+USC MEDICAL CENTER
60 MEN JOINED MEN'S CIRCLES
28 PROMOTORA WORKSHOPS
2,264 COMMUNITY WOMEN & INDUSTRIAL WORKERS TRAINED STATEWIDE
80% of clients improved their quality of life with resources and economic autonomy
8,640 BED NIGHTS
58 INDIVIDUALS SHELTERED AT HOPE & HEART
30% TREATED FOR TRAUMA AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS FOR 84 FAMILIES
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOUSING FIRST
DVHF is an innovative and cost-effective approach to rapidly house DV survivors and families in crisis. Clients on the verge of homelessness collaborate with caseworkers to identify solutions to secure stable housing. This may be as simple as paying for rental application fees or by investing in 2 or 3 months' rent for a family, while also receiving ongoing therapeutic and support services.
2019 BY THE NUMBERS
Women & Children Helped Households Served
Average
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marilyn Ladd, Chair East Los Angeles College, Emeritus
Katherine D. Emerson, Secretary
DPA, MSW, Consultant
Gerri Guzman, Member Educator, Consultant
Dr. Irma Licea, Member Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Silvia De La Riva, Member Private Practice, School Neuropsychologist
Yvette Rodriguez, PhD, Member Engineer, Department of Defense
Beatriz Zaragoza, Member Allstate Insurance
Moses Castillo, Member Los Angeles Police Department
ADVISORY BOARD
Norma Bastidas, Athlete Spokesperson on Human Trafficking
Linda Fischer, Author, Public Speaker
Jerry Tello, CoFounder of the National Compadres Network, Director of Training and Capacity Building, and Author
Connie Destito, MSW, LCSW, Co-founder East Los Angeles Women's Center
Diane Araujo, Ed.D, Founding Member East Los Angeles Women’s Center
Elvira Valenzuela, Vice President, EastWest Bank, Corporate Development and Legislative Affairs
Georgia N. Kezios, Attorney
Law Offices of Georgia N. Kezios
Dr. Melora Sundt, Chief Academic Officer Noodle Partners
Yolanda Gonzalez, Artist, Sculptor, Creator
INCOME BY CATEGORY
$4,726,007
Government Grants
Foundation Grants
Unrestricted Donations
Donated Services
Fundraising Income
Other
EXPENSES BY CATEGORY $4,139,032
THE MISSION of the East Los Angeles Women’s Center is to ensure that all women, girls and their families live in a place of safety, health, and personal well-being, free from violence and abuse, with equal access to necessary health services and social support, with an emphasis on Latino communities.
artist: Anna Alvarado
FRIENDS OF THE EAST LOS ANGELES WOMEN’S CENTER
Government Funding
California Office of Emergency Services
US Dept. of Justice Office on Violence against Women
CA Dept. of Public Health – Office of AIDS
$100,000+ Anonymous Blue Shield of California Foundation
Dept. of Public Health, Office of Women’s Health
Emergency Food and Shelter Program
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
J.B & Emily Van Nuys Charities
$50,000+ Rose Hills Foundation Anonymous
$10,000+
All State Foundation
Dan Goldfarb & Jenny Landers
Don Cheadle
John Dwyer
$5,000+
$250+
AC & M Group
Adelaida Ibarra
Aman Abraham
Ana Interiano
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Astrid Heppenstall Heger
Barry Gribble
Beatriz Zaragoza
Bertha Aguirre
Bram Briggance
Brianne Amato
Buffalo Exchange
California Water Service
Carolyn Desai
Charles & Diane Araujo
Special Thanks to our Monthly Sustainers and Embajadoras de Paz
AHF - Latino Outreach and Understanding Division (LOUD)
Christiane Garcia
Christina Lee
Claudia Powell
Constance Lopez
Daniel Ruiz
DCast Music
Davon House
DaVita Inc.
Dealey, Renton & Associates
Det. Moses Castillo
Dr. Irma Licea
Dr. Ricardo Puertas & Mrs. Olivia Valdepeña
East West Bank
Elizabeth Bowns
Danielle Surra
Emily Coursen
Emily Stoll
Kaiser Permanente
Los Angeles
Martinez Family Foundation
Maurice & Paul Marciano
Art Foundation
AltaMed Health Services
Estey & Bomberger Attorneys at Law
Evan Goldberg
DCast Music
Evergreen Avenue
School - Penny
Harvest Club
Eunsuk Kim
Garo Mardirossian
George Platter
Hensiek & Caron CPA
Human Services
Association
Hye Min Shin
Janice Oshiro
Karli Baumgardner
Kathleen Kyriacou
Leticia Chacon-Rosado
Louis Provost
Erickka Gonzalez
Jason Orellano
Katherine Emerson
City of Los Angeles AIDS Coordinator's Office (ACO)
Los Angeles CountyDepartment of Public Social Services
LA County Dept. of Public Health- Division of HIV and STD Program
The California Endowment
Michael & Irene Ross Endowment Fund of The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Goldsmith Legacy Foundation
Supervisor Hilda L. Solis
Marilyn Ladd
Martin Diaz
Michael Gordon
Michael Lens
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick
James Grey
Neighborhood Legal Services
Nick Bachman
Protech Staffing Services
Ricardo De La Riva
Robi Stovitz
Ron Geiger
Rosie Ramos
Savannah Ramirez
Scott Tuft
Marisol Tafolla
Mark McGrath
Natalie DeJohn
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
California Dept of Public Health
LA County Department of Mental Health
Sisters of St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation
Verizon Wireless, Hopeline Grant
Thug Kitchen Anonymous
SEIU - Local 721
Sikhi Alpha Foundation
Silvia De La Riva
Supervisor Mark
Ridley - Thomas
Tadin Herb & Tea Co.
Teatro Luna West
The Wellness Center
Toyota of Downtown LA
Unincorporated Coffee Roasters
Weingart Foundation
Women's Law
Association USC Gould
School of Law
Yvette Torres-Rodriguez
Zach Negin
Sally & Lawrence Martin
Teresa Contreras
We have taken great care to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this list, and regret any errors or omissions. Should corrections be necessary, please contact Heidy Rodriguez at 323-526-5819
How You Can Help
• DONATE at www.elawc.org
• VOLUNTEER to become a Hotline Advocate
• JOIN our Embajadoras de Paz Membership Network
• ATTEND our annual Mujeres de Paz awards dinner
• WALK with us at AIDS Walk LA and the Mujeres de Paz Vigil
• SPONSOR a family in need during our Holiday Giving Campaign
• INVITE ELAWC to speak at your school, workplace or service club
• SHARE the great work ELAWC provides on your social media channels
• FOLLOW us on Twitter and like us on Facebook
• JOIN our advisory committee or refer a colleague
• GIFT new, unused clothing and essential goods to women and children for the Hope & Heart Shelter
