Laura’s House Annual Gala returns to The Island Hotel Newport Beach for “Island Breezes”
Posted on August 18, 2011
The event, commemorating 17 years of serving victims of domestic violence in Southern California, will take place on Saturday, October 1
Ladera Ranch, Calif., Aug. 19, 2011 – More than 300 supporters of Laura’s House are expected to gather at The Island Hotel Newport Beach on Saturday, October 1, 2010 to celebrate “Island Breezes.” The annual gala will mark Laura’s House’ 17th year of providing domestic violence related services to the more then 3 million residents of Orange County and beyond.
The 2011 Annual Gala will feature a silent auction and cocktail reception, followed by dinner, an opportunity drawing, a live auction and musical entertainment. During the evening’s festivities, Laura’s House is pleased to honor two very special men who have contributed countless volunteer hours, and have been instrumental in helping the organization to realize it’s long-term dream for the expansion and rebuild of its Emergency Shelter. Rick Lutzky, of Lutzky Associates Development, LP joined the Laura’s House team in 2009, and since has donated more than 1,450 hours as the manager of this project. Don Vodra, COO of Rancho Mission Viejo, has served on the Laura’s House Board of Directors for six years, including two years as Chairman, and has been instrumental in orchestrating the resources and experts necessary to achieve Laura’s House’ long held goal of expanding the essential programs and services it offers to the community.
Laura’s House will also be honoring Verizon Wireless with its Corporate Crystal Heart Award for their spirit of philanthropy and dedication to assisting victims of domestic violence through their corporate initiatives and volunteer program.
Earlier this year, Laura’s House received a $50,000 grant from Verizon to support technology upgrades for its Emergency Shelter and Counseling and Resource Center. Employees at Verizon Wireless also participated in several events throughout the year including a “Fill the Fridge, Pack the Pantry” drive in the Spring, which collected non-perishable food items for Laura’s House; collected supplies so that children residing at the shelter could create special Mother’s Day gifts for their moms; and, participated in a backpack and school supplies drive. At its headquarters in Irvine, Calif., Verizon Wireless also created a special wall honoring the company’s contributions to Laura’s House that features tiles hand-painted by children participating in Laura’s House programs.
The mission of Laura’s House 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. “During the past year, we’ve continued to see a growing need for the programs and services we offer to families who are effected by domestic violence,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “The current economic environment certainly plays a role in this, with families continuing to feel the strain resulting from layoffs and salary cuts. Because the financial crisis has also impacted the funding we receive from the State of California, as well as many of our foundation and corporate supporters, events like our annual gala are critical in helping us raise the private funding we need to continue providing our services to the community.”
Linda Kearns, a Laura’s House board member, and the gala chair for “Island Breezes,” said “We are thrilled to be partnering again this year with The Island Hotel Newport Beach in hosting our annual gala, and excited about sharing in this celebrating of the successes that Laura’s House has achieved during the past year. Although our economy has hit all of us, sometimes it takes people one by one to create numbers significant enough to make an impact. On October 1st, we will gather in numbers at the gala, and hold in our hands the collective power that we have to change lives in our community.” Members of the gala committee also include Donna Cipolla, Sharon Dannelley, Kate Roberts and Casey Wolin.
“Island Breezes” will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at The Island Hotel Newport Beach, located at 690 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. The evening’s silent and live auctions will feature more than 200 items including exciting travel experiences, culinary adventures, and a “Wall of Wine” offering a seemingly endless selection of top-rated wines from around the world.
Individual tickets for “Island Breezes” are $250 per person. Table sponsorships begin at $3,000. For more information, visit www.laurashouse.org/events.
All proceeds from “Island Breezes” will be used to fund the programs and services that Laura’s House provides, including the Emergency Shelter, the Counseling & Resource Center and Legal Advocacy program, which provides legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and their families.
About Laura’s House
Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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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What is upscale violence?
Posted on August 16, 2011
Upscale violence, a term coined by Dr. Susan Weitzman, is applied to women who have endured/ are enduring multiple or continued episodes of emotional and/or physical abuse within their marriage/relationship and also have met/meet at least three of following criteria:
- Income: A combined marital income of at least $100,000 per year.
- Residence: Marital residence in a neighborhood ranked in the top 25 % of its statewide area, according to Census data; or in some cases, neighborhoods highly ranked according to commonly held reputation.
- Class Status: A self-perception of being upper-middle class or upper class.
- Education: A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree.
An upscale abused woman typically has not had prior exposure or experience with domestic abuse and is often shamed when it occurs in her life. Buying into the myth that it doesn't/shouldn't happen "to people like us," the woman isolates and keeps secret the abuses she is enduring, trying to maintain her image within her community as well as personal and professional spheres. The shame leads to isolation, which increases as her efforts to effect change with her abusive partner fails. Ironically when the upscale abused woman does come forth, she is frequently disbelieved and meets a terrible time in trying to get the help she needs and deserves. Too many times, she is met with the bias that she has so much advantage that she should be able to help herself. She is inadvertently re-victimized by the various systems set up to help the battered woman. Upscale violence is also marked by the fact that the upscale batterer actually has the means, leverage, and power to make good on any threats he makes toward his partner. There are virtually thousands of women in the United States today who have lost custody of their children due to the well-financed type of legal suits their wealthy partners were able to wage and win.
Not to People like Us: Hidden Abuse in Upscale Marriages Dr. Susan Weitzman (Basic Books, 2000) explores this phenomenon in depth; explains how the upscale battered woman differs from the women who have been studied thus far; offers case examples; delineates the profile of the upscale batterer; looks at the failures in the legal justice system, as well as among medical and helping professionals; and describes the unique Path of the Upscale Abused Woman, with its idiosyncratic turning points and decision-making junctures.
Relationship Violence: The Secret That Kills 4 Women a Day
Posted on August 16, 2011
He “threatened me,” “strangled me with a PlayStation cord,” “lunged at me with a pocketknife.” A horror movie? No, real life for far too many young women, an exclusive new Glamour survey reveals. Why is relationship violence still so frighteningly common in 2011? And how can we help? The answer starts with two simple words: Tell Somebody.
Dr. Walker's Cycle of Violence
Posted on August 16, 2011
The theory of the cycle of violence was developed by Dr. Lenore Walker. It has three distinct phases which are generally present in a violent relationship:
- Tension Building Phase
- Violent Episode Phase
- Kind and Loving Phase
Laura’s House 2nd Annual “Back-to-School” Drive
Posted on July 29, 2011
Laura’s House collecting clothing, school supplies and gift cards for families affected by domestic violence during its 2nd Annual “Back-to-School” Drive
Gently-used clothing, shoes, backpacks, school supplies and gift cards for children and adults can be dropped off at locations in Ladera Ranch, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and San Clemente; shoppers can also visit Portobello Road for great deals on back-to-school items
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Aug. 1, 2011 – For most families, the “back-to-school” shopping season means a fun-filled trip to the mall to purchase clothing and other supplies for the coming school year. However, for the women and children who arrive at domestic violence shelters, often with nothing but the clothing on their backs, going back-to-school can be stressful.
This year, 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 space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, is hoping to alleviate some of that stress by asking for the community’s help in collecting gently-used clothing, shoes, backpacks, gift cards and other back-to-school items for residents of its shelter and their children, during its 2nd Annual “Back-to-School” drive.
“It is so important to a child’s self-esteem to be able to return to school each Fall with a new wardrobe,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “For families who are in transition and building new lives free of domestic violence, finding the resources they need to purchase clothing and other school essentials can place added stress on both the children and parents. Laura’s House already provides food, clothing and other necessities to the families who enter our shelter, and this year, we plan to help ease the ‘back-to-school’ transition by providing clothing and other much needed items so that they can make a fresh start this academic year.”
Laura’s House will be accepting new and gently used clothing, shoes, gift cards and other back-to-school essentials at the following locations from August 1, 2011 through September 15, 2011. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
Ladera Ranch Infusion 25612 Crown Valley Parkway Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lake Forest Portobello Road 23635 El Toro Rd., Ste. A Lake Forest, CA 92630
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm; Saturday, 10am to 2pm
Mission Viejo YogaWorks 27001 La Paz Road #206 Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8am to 9pm; Friday, 8am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 6pm
Rancho Santa Margarita OC Martial Arts 29818 Santa Margarita Parkway Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4pm to 9pm; Saturday, 7am to 1pm
San Clemente Body Awareness 1031 Avenida Pico San Clemente, CA 92673
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm
Additionally, from Friday, August 19 through Sunday, August 29, the Laura’s House Ladies’ Guild will be accepting donations at Toy Town, located at 25632 Crown Valley Parkway, #B5 in Mission Viejo. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and, Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“In addition to clothing, shoes and other school essentials, we are also stressing the need for gift cards, which help our clients retain their dignity by allowing them to choose and purchase the items that their children will need most as they return to school this Fall,” continued Bayston.
Items donated as part of the “back-to-school” clothing drive may also be sold by the Portobello Road Resale Boutique, with proceeds being used to support the shelter and counseling programs provided by Laura’s House. “Portobello Road offers some great deals for back-to-school shoppers who are looking for high-quality clothing, shoes and other items, for a great price,” said Paolo Scarfo. “We encourage shoppers to check out our selection knowing that their purchases will be helping to fund vital programs and services for victims of domestic violence.”
More information on the back-to-school clothing drive can be found at www.laurashouse.org/events or by calling (949) 361-3775.
About Portobello Road 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 Portobello Road, a larger, more centrally located upscale, resale boutique. Portobello Road 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.
Portobello Road accepts donations including gently used designer, formal, business and casual clothing and shoes for women, children and men, jewelry, housewares, books, linens and collectibles. 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., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Portobello Road can be reached by phone at 949-472-8800.
About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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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Download Laura's House Back to School Supplies Wish List here. Download Laura's House Back to School Flyer with locations and information here.