“Spirit of Empowerment” Holiday Giving Program
Posted on November 1, 2013
- Alumni Holiday Party
- December 9, 2013
- Counseling & Resource Center
- December 16, 2013
- Emergency Shelter
- December 20, 2013
- Transitional Living Center
- December 20, 2013
I want to thank all the volunteers and staff at Laura’s House for the wonderful time my children and I will have this Holiday. It means a lot to us. You guys really go a long way to help and I just wanted to let you know from the bottom of my heart I am really grateful for it. Merry Christmas!--Laura’s House Graduate
Download the Holiday Giving Program flyer here. Download the Holiday Gift Wish List here. Download the Donation Form here.
Attorneys Brian R. Bauer and Denisha McKenzie secure a maximum 5-year domestic violence restraining order after hearing that also awards sole custody of the parties’ son to the client
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Oct. 28, 2013 – Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe place in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, is pleased to announce its inclusion in the new Pro Bono Domestic Violence program at the Orange County offices of Allen Matkins, a California Law Firm. The addition of Laura’s House to the pro bono program was highlighted by the firm’s recent victory in a domestic violence matter on behalf of one of the organization’s clients.
Senior Counsel Brian R. Bauer and first-year attorney Denisha McKenzie, a graduate of the University of California, Irvine School of Law, co-represented a mother seeking protection for herself and her special needs child from further exposure to domestic violence in their home. The attorneys successfully litigated the contested matter, persuading the judge to issue the requisite legal finding of domestic violence. The maximum 5-year term and award of sole custody speaks to the severity of the case and underscores the critical importance of pro bono representation in domestic violence matters.
“We are deeply grateful to Mr. Bauer, Ms. McKenzie, and Allen Matkins for donating their time and resources to the Laura’s House Legal Program,” said Adam Dodge, the lead legal advocate with Laura’s House. “In recognizing that pro bono representation for our clients is an ongoing critical need, the firm acted quickly to initiate, develop and implement a pro bono domestic violence platform that will improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence for years to come.”
“Allen Matkins is delighted to add Laura’s House to the diverse list of organizations that benefit from our community involvement, and we commend Brian and Denisha for achieving an important victory for this client, who will hopefully now be able to look forward to building a life free of domestic violence,” said Allen Matkins Managing Partner David L. Osias.
About Laura’s House
For nearly two decades, Laura’s House has provided residential shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 families, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. 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.
About Allen Matkins
Allen Matkins, founded in 1977, is a California-based law firm with more than 200 attorneys in four major metropolitan areas of California: Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and San Diego. The firm's core specialties include real estate, real estate and commercial finance, bankruptcy and creditors' rights, construction, land use, natural resources, environmental, corporate and securities, intellectual property, joint ventures, taxation, employment and labor law, and dispute resolution and litigation in all these matters.
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The duo will leverage more than two decades of combined experience in retail to ensure that the Resale Store continues to provide sustainable revenue streams that support Laura’s House in fulfilling its mission
Ladera Ranch, Calif., Oct. 21, 2013 – Laura’s House, a nonprofit 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 it has appointed Rhonda Frantz-Smith as General Manager of the Laura’s House Resale Store, located in Lake Forest, Calif.
Rhonda Frantz-Smith joins the Laura’s House Resale Store after spending more than a decade with Nordstrom, Inc., where she began her career as a national financial planner, responsible for analyzing, forecasting and managing the national department store’s annual budget. While at Nordstrom, she also served as an assistant buyer, and most recently as store manager. In this role, Frantz-Smith was responsible for developing a team of top performing sales professionals, executing against the short and long-term retail strategic goals for the store, and meeting profitability, performance and financial budgeting goals and objectives.
“Laura’s House is a terrific organization, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as General Manager of its Resale Store,” said Frantz-Smith. “The Resale Store has become a fixture here in our community, and I’m excited about having the opportunity to work with the Laura’s House team in expanding both our clientele, and the relationships we have with our donors and local businesses, to ensure that the store is generating the sustainable revenue streams that Laura’s House needs to fulfill its mission to ‘end the silence’ of domestic violence.”
To complement the Laura’s House Resale Store team, Heather Norrell is joining as Assistant Manager, bringing with her nearly a decade of experience managing the daily operations for Divine Treasures, a gift and home décor retail store located in Mission Viejo, Calif. As store manager for Divine Treasures, she was responsible for hiring, supervising and training a team of 10 sales associates, overseeing buying and merchandising for the store, and for increasing store revenues. Prior to that, she served as assistant manager for OC Furniture in Huntington Beach, Calif. Where she supervised and trained sales associates, assisted with buying and special orders, and helped with customer service. Heather graduated from Chapman University with a B.A. in Sociology with Emphasis in Social Work. She has completed 40-hour Domestic Violence training, and has experience in crisis intervention for individuals affected by Domestic Violence.
“We are very pleased that Rhonda and Heather have joined the Laura’s House team,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “With the revenues that we receive from our Resale Store, we are able to support the shelter, counseling, legal support and community outreach programs that we provide to individuals and families affected by domestic violence. I am confident that under Rhonda and Heather’s leadership, those revenues will continue to grow, and that the number of store patrons, as well as the number of donors who provide us with the high-quality merchandise that is available through the store, will only continue to increase.”
About the Laura’s House Resale Store
Since 1995, Laura’s House has maintained a thrift store to support the funding of our programs and services. In 2009, the store moved from San Clemente to Lake Forest and opened a more centrally located upscale, resale boutique. The Laura’s House Resale Store is open on Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and, Sunday from Noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Laura’s House Resale Store accepts donations including gently used designer, formal, business and casual clothing and shoes for women, children and men, jewelry, paintings, collectibles and books. Donors should be aware that Laura’s House cannot accept items that are torn or stained, large furniture and appliances, mattresses, box springs and undergarments, and that city law prohibits leaving items at the rear or front of the store outside of normal business hours. All donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided upon drop-off. Donation drop-off hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and, Sunday from Noon to 4:00 p.m.
The Laura’s House Resale Store can be reached by phone at 949-472-8800.
About Laura’s House
For nearly two decades, Laura’s House has provided residential shelter and support services to more than 3,500 families, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. 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.
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Verizon Hopeline Teen Dating Violence Awareness PSA
Posted on October 17, 2013
Laura’s House is proud to partner with Verizon Hopeline program to recycle and repurpose phones to benefit victims of domestic violence. Check out this PSA we collaborated with Verizon on featuring some of our teen advocates describing their experiences with teen dating abuse. For more information on the Hopeline Program please visit: www.verizon.com/hopeline
Events throughout the month of October provide opportunities to build awareness for Laura’s House throughout Orange County and beyond
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this year, there are “31 Ways” in which the community can help Laura’s House build awareness for the programs and services that are available to individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
“Supporting Laura’s House during the month of October can be as simple as wearing a purple ribbon, skipping that morning cup of coffee for a week and donating the savings to support our programs and services, or donating an old cell phone through the Verizon HopeLine program,” said Andrea McCallister, Director of Development and Communications for Laura’s House. “For those who want a deeper connection to our organization, we have many volunteer opportunities, or they can attend events taking place this month throughout the local community.”
One of the month-long promotions for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Laura’s House is through Classic Kids photography in Newport Beach. During the month of October, members of the local community who donate $75 to Laura’s House will receive a mini sitting, and for donations of $175, they will receive a full sitting. Classic Kids is located at 219 Marine Avenue in Newport Beach, and for more information call (949) 642-0200.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, Laura’s House supporter Cindy Andrews will be hosting her annual Sweater Party for Laura’s House in Lake Forest, for more information or to RSVP, e-mail Cindy at cindyandrews1@cox.net.
Later this month, Laura’s House will be hosting an informational booth at the Ladera Ranch Fall Pumpkin Festival to be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from Noon to 4:00 p.m. at Founder’s Park in Ladera Ranch. Laura’s House volunteer Mary Bentley, along with volunteers from the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Concordia University will be hosting the booth and handing out flyers and other information about Laura’s House.
On Thursday, Oct. 24, Verizon Wireless will be hosting a “Verizon Live Drive” for the Verizon HopeLine program at their Marina del Rey retail location. Join us for this high-energy event with Maria Quiban from Mommy Loves Tech, KTTR and a celebrity guest! During the event, Verizon will debut a PSA on teen dating abuse, featuring participants from the Laura’s House Healthy Emotions and Attitudes in Relationships for Teens (H.E.A.R.T.) program.
Laura’s House is grateful to Marilyn McGowan and Uncharted Journeys for teaming up with us to host the 2nd Annual Canyon Country Hike & Hoedown, coming up on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Lakeview Park, overlooking the Irvine Lake Recreational Area. The event will feature an adventurous morning hike through the backcountry trails of Silverado Canyon, led by honorary hike leaders Mike Boeck, Irvine Ranch Conservancy docent, along with Karin Klein, author of “50 Hikes in Orange County” and Thea Gavin, poet and barefoot hiker. Hikers will then enjoy a relaxing afternoon featuring a delicious all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet luncheon offered by Tacos & Co., wine tastings from local vintners including Cowboy Canyon Wines, Frisby Cellars, Giracci Vineyards and Farms, and Newport Beach Vineyards, and live country music courtesy of The Freightshakers. For more information and to register a team or individual online, visit http://beta.active.com/silverado-ca/hiking/races/canyon-country-hike-and-amp-hoedown-for-laura-s-house-2013.
Last but not least, the Blasdel/George families of Ladera Ranch will host their fourth annual “Haunted House” Benefit for Laura’s House on Thursday, Oct. 31, Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. The Blasdel/George Home is located at 6 Shepherd Ct. in the Covenant Hills Community of Ladera Ranch, and the community is invited to come and get spooked in their amazing haunted maze! In lieu of admission, cash contributions and donations of non-perishable food items and gently used clothing for men, women and children are encouraged. All donations will be given to Laura’s House.
To learn more about the “31 Ways” in which you can help Laura’s House in commemorating Domestic Violence Awareness Month, visit our online “31 Ways in 31 Days” calendar at http://www.laurashouse.org/news/2013/09/30-ways-in-30-days-for-domestic-violence-awareness-month/.