This week, the Shasta Family Justice Center (SFJC) kicked off the Empowering Families campaign. During the month of February 2011, local businesses are asking customers to donate $1 to help end family violence in our community. All funds raised will stay right here in Shasta County. Community members will be able to write their name on a small house that will be displayed in the business, showing their support for the work of the Shasta Family Justice Center.
Participating businesses include: The Enjoy Store, Mt. Shasta Spring Water, Sun Oaks Tennis & Fitness, Palo Cedro Printing, The Cedar Tree Restaurant in Palo Cedro, Lake Shasta Caverns, Pages Copy Center, 02 Motorsports, Mary’s Pizza Shack, Crown Camera, As Seen On TV Store, Win-River Mini Mart, Luigi’s Pizza, Wells Fargo Bank (downtown), Angelo’s Pizza, Umpqua Bank (downtown), Market Street Wines, Great Harvest Bread, Need-2-Speed and Prime 11 Cinemas in Anderson. Houses can also be purchases via PayPal by visiting www.ShastaFJC.org.
The SFJC has received more than 650 client visits since opening on September 1, 2010. Both adults and children have been helped because of this important community resource. Our goal is to help victims get out of abusive situations before they go too far.
Each month law enforcement responds to approximately 200 calls related to family violence. It is estimated that only one quarter of the actual cases are reported. Whether it is sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse or child abuse, family violence is a serious problem in our community. One domestic violence homicide in our county can cost more than $1 million to incarcerate the perpetrator for life. More important than the financial impact on our community is the physical and mental toll it takes on the victim and their children. Being able to offer intervention to victims will help them break their cycle of violence.
The Shasta Family Justice Center provides co-located services for victims of family violence under one roof. By housing a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, we are reducing the number of times a victim has to retell their story and number of places they have to travel to get the help they need.
Our on-and off-site partners include: – Shasta County Crime Victims Assistance Center, Legal Services of Northern California, Shasta Women’s Refuge, local law enforcement, Shasta County Health & Human Services, Inter-Tribal Council of California, Inc., Shasta County Chaplaincy Program, Shasta County Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council, and many others.
“Our community has been very responsive to the Shasta Family Justice Center. Our client visits and the community’s interest have exceeded our expectations. To operate this valuable center, we need to raise awareness and funds. With the help of these participating businesses, I believe we will accomplish this goal.” said SFJC Executive Director Michael Burke. “We are very grateful for the businesses that are involved and their commitment to helping end family violence in our community.” Burke said.
For more information or to become involved, please visit www.shastafjc.org or call (530) 243-8868.
-from press release
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