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When I think of success, I always think of our survivors big accomplishments. One of the moms I worked with reminded me that success is in the small steps you make every day.
Dona went into our shelter about five years ago. Ever since then, she has been participating in the NEWS Kids Exposed to Domestic Violence (KEDS) Program. She was determined to make sure she and her children never end up in an abusive situation, like she had in the past, again. Financially, Dona has always struggled, but that hasn’t stopped her from pursuing her dreams and making sure her children are in a home free from domestic violence.
Every Wednesday Dona and her two children attended our support groups, never missing a week and always getting there early. Her children, Tami and David are now teenagers, new to the dating scene. They have been attending the NEWS Youth Matters Program where teens receive coaching about healthy relationships. Dona wants to make sure they learn about dating safety, relationships, and red flags. Tami is finishing high school this year and was able to get support at school from our NEWS staff.
Dona’s dream was to get her GED, and one day work in a drug and alcohol center. Thanks to help from Ana, our NEWS Law Enforcement Liaison at the Monarch Family Justice Center, Dona was able to take her English GED test and she PASSED! This was not only scary for her, since she does have a learning disability, but she didn’t have a computer or internet fast enough to take her test. Ana was able to help me arrange a quiet space and computer for her at the Monarch Center.
She was so grateful and had teary eyes. She is so thankful for NEWS and everything we have done for her. To her, we are not just an agency, but we are her family. She has her science and math test coming up, and if she passes, she will be getting her GED. Not only that, but NEWS advocates are also helping Dona look into internship programs with local non-profits.
Dona is a reminder that small accomplishments in our daily life, lead us to accomplishing our big dreams.
Elizabeth Alfaro, NEWS Kids Exposed to Domestic Violence (KEDS) Program Manager
If you are experiencing abuse or would just like some information, please call our help line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 LUNAFEST 2022 is here! Join us in-person on Monday May 23 at the Cameo Theater in St. Helena or view online to celebrate short films by and about women. Proceeds benefit NEWS, Soroptimist International St. Helena Sunrise, and Girls on the Run North Bay. Together, we are committed to inspiring and advocating for change, because we want to Play A Part in something bigger. To play your part, join us to Break the Biases.
Find more information and tickets HERE.
Congratulations to our new volunteers who have just completed the 65-hour domestic violence and sexual assault counselor training! They will start responding to Domestic Violence Response Team and Sexual Assault Response Team calls this month. We are so excited and grateful to have them as a part of our team. If you would like to learn more about volunteering for NEWS, please click HERE.
THANKFUL TO OUR SUPPORTERS!
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services | City of Napa | City of Napa Police Department | Community Projects, Inc. | Drysdale Community Foundation | First Dollar Foundation | Golden Rule Family Foundation | HCA Foundation | Kaiser Permanente | Napa Valley’s CanDo Give!Guide | Napa County | Napa Valley Community Foundation | Napa Valley Vintners | Mental Health Services Act in Napa County | The Peter A. & Vernice H. Gasser Foundation | Pinpoint Foundation | Phelps Foundation| Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center | Redwood Credit Union | Soroptimist International | Syar Foundation | Winiarski Foundation | Women’s Foundation California | United Way Bay Area
To learn how you can become a NEWS Community Champion sponsor, check out our website HERE!
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LUNAFEST 2022 is here! Join us in-person on Monday May 23 at the Cameo Theater in St. Helena or view online to celebrate short films by and about women. Proceeds benefit NEWS, Soroptimist International St. Helena Sunrise, and Girls on the Run North Bay. Together, we are committed to inspiring and advocating for change, because we want to Play A Part in something bigger. To play your part, join us to Break the Biases.
