LAKE HAVASU CITY – In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, HAVEN Family Resource Center will be hosting their annual Save a Life Walk. In 2001, HAVEN was created for victims of violent crimes and for families in crisis in need of services. Rather than pass victims along from agency to agency, HAVEN is a full service facility to ensure that the victims of these crimes are not having to relive their traumatic circumstances.
The family resource center can provide forensically trained interviewers, licensed therapists, and medically trained staff. Over the years, the facility has increased arrests and prosecution of abusers. Not only is the center there for abused adults and children, it is also available to anyone who is currently in a crisis. Walk-ins are always welcomed.
HAVEN’s website has a full list of organizations in the area who are active participants towards the prevention of domestic violence. For HAVEN Executive Director Mary Lou O’Connell, the takeaway is that feeling of being able to help trained staff and motivate victims to overcome their experiences.
According to O’Connell, “It is very rewarding to assist our dedicated team in holding offenders accountable and providing resources to the victims. By empowering people to address their trauma and victimization, the hope is that they can obtain the coping skills they need to move forward onto the path of healing.”
The first Save a Life walk began in 2012. They met in Rotary Park and journeyed to London Bridge. The walk is intended to support victims of domestic violence as well as the survivors. Standing at the top of bridge, staff along with participants, throw purple carnations in the lake to acknowledge those victims.
Let your voice be heard. The Save a Life domestic awareness walk will be on Saturday, October 14, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Ramada A in Rotary Park and up to the Bridgewater Channel then returning back.
The walk is roughly a 1.5 miles. With your $20 registration fee, you will also get a T-shirt. All proceeds for the walk go towards victims of domestic violence.
If you want register for the walk visit, Save a Life Registration form – Haven Family Resource Center (havencenterlhc.org)
To donate or to become a volunteer please visit Haven Family Resource Center – Providing a safe environment for victims to access services (havencenterlhc.org)
Phaedra Veronique
