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Two Area Non-Profits Join to Break Cycle of Abuse
The Domestic Violence Center and Bellflower Center for Prevention of Child Abuse announced today that they are now a single organization named the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center (DVCAC). “This affiliation will create a much stronger continuum of services to break the cycle of abuse,” said CEO Linda Johanek.
“We have recognized that domestic violence and child abuse are very often part of the same cycle,” Johanek said, “and with this merger we will pursue a proactive, positive approach to supporting all the victims in the cycle of abuse. With that in mind, we have developed a powerful new model for addressing relationship abuse in all its forms.”
“We will provide leadership to the community to transform our society, reduce incidences of domestic violence and child abuse, and create an innovative model that we will work to replicate nationwide,” Johanek continued.
Denise San Antonio Zeman, President and CEO of the Saint Luke’s Foundation, commented, "These two agencies have embraced the challenge put in front of them by recognizing the need to do more with less. Our community will benefit from their decision to bring together their strong resources to create a new community asset that has the potential to reduce the tragic realities of child abuse and domestic violence.”
“Combining the expertise, insight and energy of our staffs, boards, volunteers and supporters will address both child abuse and domestic violence much more effectively and efficiently than we could have as separate entities,” said the newly appointed president of the combined organization’s board of directors, Dean Williams. Williams is an attorney and associate at Thompson Hine, LLP, in Cleveland.
Bill Eyman, Chief Operating Officer of DVCAC and former executive director of Bellflower Center, pointed out “there are numerous areas in which we complement each other. For example, many of the children and adults that the Domestic Violence Center serves have suffered a tremendous psychological trauma and would benefit from Bellflower Center’s accredited trauma counseling program.”
In addition, the key messages in addressing both child abuse prevention and domestic violence share many components, according to Eyman. “Understanding you are not the only one, that you are not at fault, and that you deserve better are concepts that are essential to both.”
Additional Information:
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