Representing Laura’s House in the dance competition will be board member Laverne Friedmann
Ladera Ranch, Calif., March 27, 2014 – Laura’s House, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence, while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, today announced that for the fourth year in a row, it is a beneficiary of the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary “Dancing for a Cause” event.
“Dancing for a Cause” is a semi-formal event based on the hit TV show, “Dancing with the Stars.” During the event, participants from each beneficiary organization will be paired with a professional dance partner from South Coast Dancesport. Laura’s House board member Laverne Friedmann will compete for monetary prizes and the coveted “Top Dancer” trophy. Additionally, Laura’s House will receive 100% of the proceeds from the sponsorship dollars raised in support of Friedmann’s participation in the event.
Friedmann is a steadfast supporter of Laura’s House, and has been involved with the organization for nearly a decade, helping to build awareness and raise funds that support the programs and services the organization provides to individuals and families affected by domestic violence. She has served on the Laura’s House Board of Directors since 2013, and currently serves as President of Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services, Southern California’s leading privately held insurance firm, which she founded in 1988.
“I am thrilled to be representing Laura’s House in the 2014 ‘Dancing for a Cause’ event,” said Friedmann. “We are grateful to the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club for their ongoing support of our organization through this annual event, as well as the monetary and in-kind donations that the Club and its members have so generously given throughout the year. For a number of years now, the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary has served as one of our most dedicated community partners, and we would like to thank them for helping us build greater awareness for domestic violence here on our community.”
“Dancing for a Cause” will take place on Friday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Casino San Clemente, located at 140 West Pico Avenida in San Clemente. The event will commence with a reception, photo opportunity and silent auction, followed by dinner catered by Iva Lee’s, the dance competition, live auction and dancing.
Other beneficiaries for the 4th Annual “Dancing for a Cause” event include San Clemente Sunrise Rotary; San Clemente Kiwanis; San Clemente Abolitionists; Rotary Foundation; and, Words of Comfort, Hope & Promise. Tickets to “Dancing for a Cause” are available through the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club for $125 each. For more information, call Mervyn Lawrie at (949) 584-4579.
Connect with Laura’s House on social media to learn more about programs, services, upcoming events and more. You can reach us at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurasHouseOC Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lauras_House Instagram: www.instagram.com/LaurasHouseOC
About Laura’s House
The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
In 2014, Laura’s House is celebrating its 20th anniversary of serving those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. During the past 20 years, Laura's House has provided shelter and support services to more than 4,000 battered women and children and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 45,000 persons.
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Laura’s House Women’s Guild and LARCS to Present “Chic & Whimsy—Tea & Fashion Show” in Ladera Ranch
Posted on March 25, 2014
Ladera Ranch, Calif., March 25, 2014 – Laura’s House, which is 2014 is celebrating 20 years of serving individuals and families affected by domestic violence, today announced that the Laura’s House Women’s Guild, in partnership with Ladera Ranch Community Services (LARCS), will host the first annual “Chic & Whimsy—Tea & Fashion Show” on Saturday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m. at the Covenant Hills Clubhouse in Ladera Ranch.
Click to Tweet: @Lauras_House Women's Guild and LARCs to host "Chic & Whimsy" #Tea and #FashionShow on May 3! http://bit.ly/1mkbTO5
The mother-daughter tea and fashion event will include a beautifully crafted runway fashion show featuring all the surprises of spring. The fashion show models will be volunteers and friends of Laura’s House. Guests will enjoy a fabulous tea service catered by Something Special Catering of Dove Canyon, and entertainment by DJ Soni Star.
As part of the first annual mother-daughter tea, Laura’s House is pleased to be honoring The Jacqueline Glass Family, a long-time supporter of Laura’s House.
“Over the years, Jacqueline and her family have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to Laura’s House mission to ‘end the silence’ of domestic violence, attending many of the annual galas and other events, and providing generous financial support to help the individuals and families we serve build lives that are free of violence,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director for Laura’s House. “We are especially delighted to have her daughter, Joanna James, as a member of our Women’s Guild, as well as the support of her other daughter, Jamie Born, who is one of our long-time volunteers who generously helps out each year with our Alumni Holiday Party.”
The first annual “Chic & Whimsy—Tea & Fashion Show,” will feature guest speaker Kayla Tibbett, a survivor of teen dating abuse, as well as a special appearance from Alice and the Mad Hatter who will delight guests of all ages with games in the courtyard, etiquette lessons, photo opportunities, and a special reading of “Alice in Wonderland” from Alice herself!
Guests at the event will also have an opportunity to bid on a selection of silent auction items and participate in a drawing for a Corum Ladies’ Watch, valued at $2,500 and donated by Lisa Fujimoto.
Sponsors for “Chic & Whimsy—Tea & Fashion Show” include Verizon Wireless; The Women and Girls of the Jacqueline Glass Family; and, Lisa Fujimoto.
Tickets are on sale now, and are $40 for adults and $20 for children. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.laurashouse.org/springtea.html or call (949) 361-3775.
The Laura’s House Women’s Guild is a group of local women whose mission is to advocate and engage the community in supporting Ladera Ranch-based Laura’s House. For more information visit www.laurashouse.org/guild.
Connect with Laura’s House on social media to learn more about programs, services, upcoming events and more. You can reach us at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurasHouseOC Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lauras_House Instagram: www.instagram.com/LaurasHouseOC
About Laura’s House
The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
In 2014, Laura’s House is celebrating its 20th anniversary of serving those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. During the past 20 years, Laura's House has provided shelter and support services to more than 4,000 battered women and children and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 45,000 persons.
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Laura’s House Releases 2013 Agency Outcomes
Posted on March 21, 2014
Through its comprehensive range of domestic violence programs and services, Laura’s House touched the lives of more than 25,000 thousand women, men and children during 2013
Ladera Ranch, Calif., March 19, 2014 – Laura’s House, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence, while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, today announced the release of its 2013 Agency Outcomes Report.
Click to Tweet: Did you know? @Lauras_House touched the lives of more than 25,000 women, men and children during 2013. http://bit.ly/1fWlJkX
Some of the highlights of the Agency Outcomes Report include:
- Between January 1 and December 31, 2013, Laura’s House reached more than 25,000 individuals through its 24-hour Crisis Hotline and Safety Net; Emergency Shelter and Support Services; Transitional Living Center Program; Counseling and Resource Center; Legal Department; Educations and Prevention; and, Community Engagement programs.
- 2,649 callers were provided with crisis intervention through the Laura’s House 24-Hour Crisis Hotline – a 9.4% increase from 2012.
- 314 individuals participated in the Laura’s House Emergency Shelter Program – a 3.3% increase from 2012.
- 7,556 Bed Days were provided through the Emergency Shelter program – a 16.5% increase from 2012.
- 9 adults and 13 children participated in the Transitional Living Center Program – an 83% increase from 2012.
- 3,138 Bed Days were provided through the Transitional Living Center Program – a 272% increase from 2012.
- 474 volunteers contributed 10,341 hours of service – an increase of 27.5% from 2012.
“There continues to be great demand for our services, especially for crisis intervention, and short-term and long-term housing for individuals and families who are affected by domestic violence,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “This rise in demand is reflected in our 2013 Agency Outcomes report, which demonstrated a significant increase in the number of Bed Days we provided last year, especially in our Transitional Living Center Program, which offers long-term assistance to graduates of our Emergency Shelter Program, enabling them to continue to achieve self-sufficiency, and build lives that are free of violence.”
In 2014, Laura’s House is commemorating 20 years of serving those whose lives have been touched by domestic violence, and over the last several years, has expanded its capacity to meet greater demand for crisis intervention and shelter services. In December 2011, Laura’s House completed the Emergency Shelter Rebuild project, followed by the grand opening of its Transitional Living Center Program in February 2012. Both projects were funded by the $4.5 million Cornerstone Capital Campaign; with the expansion of the Emergency Shelter and Transitional Living Program, Laura’s House is now able to provide shelter to 175 more clients per year, than it could previous to the expansion, representing a 93% increase in program capacity, and a 15% increase in capacity for emergency shelter services within Orange County.
“Laura’s House is tremendously grateful for the financial support we receive from individuals, corporations and foundations within our community, who have made domestic violence services a funding priority,” continued Bayston. “We are also especially thankful for our staff and volunteers, whose ongoing commitment and dedication to ‘ending the silence’ is making it possible for us to continue to increase the number of individuals and families we are able to assist in building lives that are free of violence.”
For the complete 2013 Agency Outcomes Report, please visit http://bit.ly/1kGc6be.
Connect with Laura’s House on social media to learn more about programs, services, upcoming events and more. You can reach us at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurasHouseOC Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lauras_House Instagram: www.instagram.com/LaurasHouseOC
About Laura’s House
The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse. Since 1994, Laura’s House has provided 24-hour crisis hotline, residential shelter and support services, counseling, legal assistance and life skills education to those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence, throughout Southern California and beyond.
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Dana Point Resident and Businesswoman Hosts Annual “Clothes Exchange Party” for Laura’s House
Posted on March 3, 2014
For 16 years, Dana Point resident and businesswoman, Diane Smith has been hosting a one-day “Clothes Exchange Party” at her home to benefit local charities, including Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence.
For Diane, the “Clothes Exchange Party” has always been a “win, win, win” situation. “Each winter, my friends and neighbors look forward to having the opportunity to clean out their closets, and then come home after the exchange with new items that they didn’t have to pay for,” said Smith. “The best part is that they get the satisfaction of knowing that this annual ritual is helping local charities, like Laura’s House, provide much needed programs and services to those in need.”
This year, the “Clothes Exchange Party” took place at Diane’s home in Dana Point on Sunday, February 23. More than 50 women joined in for an afternoon of shopping, fun, fellowship and networking, sponsored by Diane’s interior design firm, Resort Living Interiors. “I love the fact that in addition to helping local charities, I am also providing an opportunity for my friends and neighbors to help local business women network and grow their businesses, through the annual ‘Clothes Exchange Party’,” said Smith.
Following the “Clothes Exchange Party,” more than 2,000 pieces of clothing, shoes and accessories were collected for Laura’s House. Donated items will be given to the women and children served by the Laura’s House shelter. Additionally, donations will be used by the Laura’s House Resale Store in Lake Forest, which sells gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, books, collectibles and artwork to generate income to support the programs and services offered by Laura’s House.
“We are grateful to Diane for her steadfast support, and each year look forward to the amazing donations that come from the ‘Clothes Exchange Party’,” said Rhonda Smith, General Manager, Laura’s House Resale Store. “This event is just one of the many ways that members of our local community are engaging with Laura’s House and helping us ‘end the silence’ of domestic violence.”
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