November 14, 2014 • www.myvalleynews.com • The Valley News
B-5
Health City leaders speak out for domestic violence awareness
City Hall glows purple to raise awareness for domestic violence. Courtesy photos
Supporters of S.A.F.E. Front row from left to right,Temecula Chief of Police Jeff Kubel, DA Mike Hestrin, Board Secretary Jan Duran, Advocate Colleen Hughes, S.A.F.E. Executive Director Melissa Donaldson, Mayor Maryann Edwards, Councilman Chuck Washington and Board President Rhonda Reinke. Back row, unidentified supporter, Carol Youmans, Benilda Hestrin, Pat Whitney, Caludia Thunnell, Patti Drew, Elizabeth Arreola, Debra Flennaugh and Kassen Klein.
By Bianca Hollins “They didn’t mean it.” “They won’t do it again.” “All families have their drama so don’t meddle in their business.” There are many attempts to justify not getting involved in domestic violence cases. Most believe it wrong to pry into the personal workings of a family or perhaps mistakenly vilify a person for a momentary lapse in judgment, but what about the consequence to the community and the voices that are silenced? Lit from its steps to the highest tower in purple, city hall received
special guests Monday, Oct. 27 to raise awareness for domestic violence prevention efforts in the city. Sharing personal stories and statistics to illustrate the reach of family violence even in our safe borders of Temecula, S.A.F.E. (Alternatives for Everyone) executive director Melissa Donaldson spoke before Mayor Maryann Edwards, Councilman Chuck Washington and members of the public about ways to get involved and encourage others to seek help. As the first employee and Executive Director of S.A.F.E. since 2001, Ms. Donaldson has seen the transformation of the conversation
around domestic violence from being framed as a women’s issue to one focused on ways to empower youth and families. Ms. Donaldson shared that “S.A.F.E. started in 1998 thanks to the Temecula Valley Women’s Club and Carol Niles, S.A.F.E. Founder, recognizing that there was a need for resources and services along with participation of citizens within Temecula to respond to a growing problem.” While many are comforted by the knowledge that Temecula and Murrieta are safe communities she notes “most don’t know that the statistics do not always accurately reflect the numbers of domestic violence
incidents. They are not always categorized separately from assault and battery across the country or other forms of violence” and this further distances the community from understanding its impact. Agreeing that transparency leads to action District Attorney elect Mike Hestrin states that by understanding its prevalence and educating youth and law enforcement you have “one area of crime where you can effectively prevent murders.” Youth initiatives such as S.A.F.E. and others are important “because educating a new generation, going to high schools and speaking about teen violence especially with regard to dating, stalking, etc. can change behaviors before they escalate” and aid law enforcement and prosecutors in preventing tragedies. Ms. Donaldson likewise believes some programs including their Art 4 the Soul youth programs can be an outlet for “kids harmed by family violence to express themselves by being hands on, for example painting and using materials for other projects.” Kids are able to
combat the “shame they feel because they know we understand their circumstances and accept them and give them a safe place to share or not. Art is one medium where you don’t need words, just let expression flow.” S.A.F.E. offers many other services for young people as they firmly believe we must intervene and prevent violence to make a lasting difference for the family and their future families. The damage of domestic violence manifests in so many subtle ways that it can be overwhelming to consider the social programs that would be impacted and economically empowered by addressing an issue that cuts across class, race, gender and socioeconomic barriers. Conversation on exactly how to change the dialogue around family violence is ongoing as Temecula grows, but S.A.F.E. and its leaders pledge to enact change to benefit everyone. For more information about S.A.F.E. and ways to get involved please call 951-587-3900 or visit www.safefamiliesca.org.
Pala donates more than 7,900 pounds of food to two local charities The team members of Pala Casino Spa & Resort donated 7,961 pounds of food to Brother Benno’s, the nonprofit, volunteer organization that serves the poor and homeless in Northern San Diego County, and to the Senior Citizens Service Center in Murrieta. Pala conducted a food drive that
concluded last week and representatives from both charities received the food Nov. 5. “As our team members have done for so many community projects, they really came through again to help those in need this holiday season,” said Bill Bembenek, Pala’s chief executive.
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Some of the Pala team members who collected 7,961 pounds of food for two local charities, l-r: Back row: David Avila, Kerry Fisher, Nancy Da, Anita Thompsen. Front row: Debbie Salsbury, Laurie Katz, Adriana Rodriguez, Lila Chautla, Kerry Wagner, Justine Welch, David Pearson, Moe Austin, Julie Arellanes, Blanca Courtesy photo Saadat, Shahira Dentith, Gabe Rodarte, Javier Jimenez and John Clausen.
“I said I’d be back. The cardiovascular team at Temecula Valley Hospital helped me keep my word.”
Classified deadline is Monday at 3pm prior to publication date.
Temecula Valley Hospital collaborates with UC San Diego Health System for cardiac surgery.
~ John “MAC” McDaniel, STEMI heart attack survivor Golfing on Wednesday is a big part of “MAC” McDaniel’s week. So, he wasn’t going to let indigestion interfere with his game. But severe chest pain did stop him on April 30. “MAC” was having a heart attack and he didn’t even know it. His family took him to … the new Temecula Valley Hospital and their cardiac team raced into action. “The doctor said I was minutes away from dying. I’m lucky Temecula Valley Hospital was there.”
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