Thousands walk to end domestic violence

By Gina Keating, The Catholic Sun
May 17, 2007

Thousands of people converged on Wesley Bolin Plaza holding signs, wearing T-shirts and telling stories during the fifth annual Walk to End Domestic Violence.

The April 28 event, sponsored by Arizona Foundation for Women, called attention to a social ill that annually takes the life of nearly 100 women living in Arizona.

The money raised will be distributed to and promote several domestic violence awareness efforts in Maricopa County, including My Sisters’ Place, a Catholic Charities Community Services program that offers comprehensive services to help women regain their independence and live a violence-free life.

The Chandler-based shelter can support up to 24 women and their dependents.

Gayla Spenney, shelter supervisor for the past three years, has a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University.

She said it’s critical for the community to understand that domestic violence involves people of all ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.

“It doesn’t affect ‘these’ people, or ‘those’ people,” Spenney said. “It could be your co-worker or the person you are shopping next to at the grocery store.”

Increasing the number of domestic violence shelters in the state has garnered much attention of both the governor and the Legislature, which supports an appropriation of about $3 million.

Yvonne Taylor, director of domestic violence programs for the Catholic Charities East Valley office, said additional funding will support its $1.2 million budget, which also aids other programs.

Following a stay at My Sisters’ Place, women have the option of applying to Pathways, a transitional housing program.

The program, which lasts 18 to 24 months, helps subsidize rent as residents work within a case plan. Women focus on learning life skills while meeting with a support group and counselors.

“While we haven’t ended domestic violence, it’s not behind closed doors,” Spenney said. “These types of resources were not here 15 years ago.”

Catholic Charities also sponsors PAVE, or Preventing Abuse and Violence through Education. The program is currently targeting Chandler students in seventh-, ninth- and 11th-grades.

Catholic Charities teams with a police officer to educate children about victims’ resources and how to recognize symptoms of abuse.

“We need to recognize domestic violence is a crime, not a family issue,” Taylor said. “We need to raise our voice until people say, ‘enough.’ Survivors are not alone, and they have hope.”

To learn more about Catholic Charities East Valley domestic violence programs or to make a donation, call (480) 821-1024.