NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PARTNERS WITH THE LOS GATOS/MONTE SERENO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE JOINT SERVICES TO RESIDENTS OF LOS

SAN JOSE, January 16, 2012 – Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence has been awarded $125,000 by the California Emergency Management Agency to work with the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department to provide joint services to victims of domestic violence in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. Next Door was one of four domestic violence agencies statewide chosen to lead this innovative partnership between a domestic violence agency and a police department.

The joint project plans to train 48 law enforcement and 911 dispatchers to implement safe protocols for victims that also increase accountability of batterers. The joint partnership includes home visits by a fully trained domestic violence advocate for every time police officers are called to a domestic violence incident in their jurisdiction so that victims have immediate options that are safe for her and her children. The partnership expects to reach more than 70 individuals impacted by domestic violence per year, having already started the partnership in December of 2011.

“We are grateful to the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department for working on the cutting edge of domestic violence services with us,” said Kathleen Krenek, Next Door’s Executive Director. “This collaboration ultimately helps survivors of domestic violence obtain the customized services they need in order to make safe decisions for themselves and adds to the continuum of services that we provide in Los Gatos, including Next Door’s Los Gatos Support Group.”

“The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department is thrilled to partner with Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence on this very important initiative,” said Captain Alana Forrest. “We have a long standing and excellent relationship with Next Door and are looking forward to enhancing our response to victims of domestic violence in our community.”

###

About Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence began in 1971 out of the garage of a local San Jose women’s rights activist. Since then, Next Door has become the premier agency addressing the needs of victims of domestic violence and their children. Next Door seeks to end domestic violence in the moment and for all time by addressing all sides of the issue by helping victims to rebuild their lives, building resilience in children who are exposed to DV, and advocating for responsible policy change. To achieve its goals, Next Door provides innovative prevention and intervention services to diverse ethnic and low-income families in Santa Clara County (SCC), California, the majority of which come from San Jose. To learn more about Next Door’s programs, please visit www.nextdoor.org or call its Community Office at (408) 501-7550.

About The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department

The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department is comprised of 64 sworn and civilian personnel and over 150 community volunteers, committed to providing the highest quality service with a small town feel to its residents, businesses and visitors.  It works in three major areas to improve the department and its ability to serve the community by 1) building highly competent and professional police department providing traditional law enforcement services; 2) Building community relationships; and 3) Engaging in community problem solving. To learn more about the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department, visit us at 110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030 or go online to http://www.losgatosca.gov/index.aspx?NID=127. You can also call us at 408-354-8600.

Click here for a copy of this press release.

For more information contact:                                                     For more information contact:
Next Door Solutions                                                                    Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department
Lisa Breen Strickland, Interim Development Dir.                         Sgt. Michael D’Antonio, Investigation Spvsr
(408) 655-3642                                                                            (408) 827-3209

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RECEIVES $20,000 AS PART OF $3 MILLION NATIONWIDE GRANT FROM THE MARY KAY FOUNDATION TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN SAN JOSE AND SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Mary Kay shelter grant program to help many of the 61,000 domestic violence survivors
assisted each day in the United States

SAN JOSE, October 10, 2011 – Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program. Next Door is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program. The grant will be used to provide more than 240 women and children with vital 24-hour shelter, safety planning, and direct services that will help cultivate immediate and long-term safety.

“Domestic violence programs are in greater need than ever before,” said Kathleen Krenek, Executive Director of Next Door. “Battered women need jobs more than ever before and as before, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation and corporation came to our rescue. The $20,000 grant helps to keep our doors open and for battered women, employment opportunities to meet their individual needs continue to exist.  We thank the foundation and corporation for your visionary approach to business and philanthropy.”

Domestic Violence Outlook

According to the second “Mary Kay Truth About Abuse” national survey conducted in March 2011, domestic violence shelters indicate the economic downturn has increased demand for services. Shelters also report, the ability to raise funds and provide services will be hampered into 2012. Due to the economy, the survey also revealed:

• 80 percent of domestic violence shelters nationwide (more than three out of four) report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse, and most attribute this to financial issues.
• 76 percent of domestic violence shelters (three out of four) indicate their funding has decreased.
• 65 percent of women in shelters can’t find employment due to the economy.
• 56 percent of shelters note the abuse is more violent now than before the economic downturn.

“In light of the economic downturn and alarming increases in domestic violence, The Mary Kay Foundation’s mission is more critical than ever before. Next Door has helped so many women and their families in the San Jose and greater Santa Clara County area. We know they will use these funds to benefit even more domestic violence survivors and their children and help end domestic violence,” said Jennifer Cook, The Mary Kay Foundation board member.

###

About Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence

Next Door began in 1971 out of the garage of a local San Jose women’s rights activist. Since then, Next Door has become the premier agency addressing the needs of victims of domestic violence and their children. Next Door seeks to end domestic violence in the moment and for all time by addressing all sides of the issue by helping victims to rebuild their lives, building resilience in children who are exposed to DV, and advocating for responsible policy change. To achieve its goals, Next Door provides innovative prevention and intervention services to diverse ethnic and low-income families in Santa Clara County (SCC), California, the majority of which come from San Jose.

About The Mary Kay Foundation
The Mary Kay Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded $28 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and more than $16 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).

Alvin Winford, an experienced community leader from Brewerville, Liberia will contribute to the local community through a four-month fellowship funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Mr. Winford will apply a global lens to issues facing Santa Clara County through practical work experience at Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence while gaining transferable leadership and management skills that he will later apply in his own communities.

The Community Solutions Program, which places sixty-four global leaders in 27 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, is one-of-a-kind. Through hands-on collaboration, 57 organizations will provide their leaders with community development experience in the U.S. in one of four topic areas: tolerance/conflict resolution, women’s issues, environmental issues, and transparency and accountability. Community leaders will volunteer their time and perspectives to finding innovative solutions to local challenges.

Alvin Winford comes to San Jose with over 9 years of experience working on community development initiatives, specifically focusing on issues related to women and children. In Liberia, Alvin was the program manager at the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect where he worked to mitigate gender-based violence in local communities. Most recently, he has spearheaded a project that has helped increase the capacity of local police forces to respond to gender-based violence. At Next Door, Alvin will continue his work to alleviate violence against women by acting as a full-time advocate in order to assess program impacts on Next Door’s clients.

In addition to working at Next Door, Alvin will participate in an online Community Leadership institute, a web-based leadership course developed by IREX that focuses on key leadership and organizational management skills.  Alvin will leave the U.S. not only with skills and strong connections to his colleagues at Next Door, but also with a strong global network that will strengthen his community engagement.

At the end of Alvin’s time in the United States, he will create a plan for a new initiative in Liberian communities and spend six months implementing that project. Continued collaboration with Next Door Solutions ensures that the learning continues, even after his return to his home country.

All of us at Next Door feel honored and privileged to be working with Alvin and look forward to the upcoming months!

The Vice President is no stranger to using social media. Earlier this July, his first official tweet was dedicated to promoting his campaign to end violence against women. He promoted the Twitter hashtag #1is2many as a way for individuals to share ideas for making school campuses safer for women. Biden has also helped launch a campaign called “Apps Against Abuse” which challenges web and app designers to create an interactive software application that will empower young people, in real time, to look out for their friends in order to prevent violence or assault before it occurs.

“One in five young women will be a victim of sexual assault while they’re at college, 1 in 10 teens will be hurt on purpose by someone they are dating, and 1 in 9 teen girls will be forced to have sex,” Biden states. “You don’t know these women as statistics. You know them as friends, as sisters.”

“There’s no such thing as an innocent bystander when it comes to the abuse of a woman,” Biden says. “If you know of it, or you see it, you have an absolute obligation to try and stop it.”

The Vice President also has a message for men and boys, delivering what he says is a “very simple rule.”

“No means no. No means no if she’s drunk or sober. No means no if she’s on the dorm room or the street. No means no even if she said yes first and changed her mind. No means no, no matter what. I’m asking all of you, all of you to help get this message out.”

Next Door’s continuum of services gives domestic violence victims choices in rebuilding their lives… and YOU can play a part providing essential services to one of our most vulnerable populations.

Join staff and supporters of Next Door on Thursday September 22 at Pasta Pomodoro as we spread awareness of domestic violence in our community while enjoying a fantastic meal. Pasta Pomodoro is located at 378 Santana Row in San Jose.

All you have to do is click on this link, print out the flyer, and turn it in with your bill.  Pasta Pomodoro will take care of the rest by donating 20% of your bill to Next Door!

Thank you for supporting Next Door and we can’t wait to see you there!

By Kathleen Krenek

Special to the Mercury News

Published 8/11/2011

We often hear stories about senseless violence and express disbelief. For some, it’s because it forces them to acknowledge that there is nothing they can do about it. In trying to understand the Daou murder-suicide case, however, it is important to note the devil is in the details.

The crime, horrific and shocking as it was, took place because Ed Daou was a batterer who abused his wife and then used their children to further abuse his wife. In contrast to other senseless violence, these details are concrete. And there is actually something we can do about it.

Ed Daou, an affluent developer in Los Gatos, was a successful businessman. He was “aggressive” in business. He was a “caring father.” Ed Daou also abused his wife, Carmen, so much that she had to leave him, leave her home and obtain a protective restraining order, which revealed a man so obsessed with controlling her that he would go to any means to do so.

Domestic violence victim advocates can tell you story after story about fathers who use their own children as pawns to abuse their victims, creating family rifts that position the mother as inferior and the father as the good guy.

Consider this example: An abuser hits his wife when the children aren’t around, then turns into the “fun” parent when the children are around. The victim, their mother, is frazzled, anxious and stressed out. The children see their father in a good mood, then see their mother: stressed out,annoyed and scared. Then their father says, “Hey let’s go to the movies.” The mother doesn’t want to go, spoiling their family fun. In the eyes of the kids, the father is the good guy.

The abuser deliberately creates this contrast. He knows what he is doing. He is not being unreasonable, but calculating, manipulative, intentional. This is typical in a family affected by domestic violence — the abuser manipulates, controls and denies accountability. The abuser also gets deadly when his victim leaves.

It is a fact that the risk of death increases when a victim tries to separate from her abuser. Time and time again, abusers use all means necessary to continue to abuse, harass and assault their victims. Carmen Daou, in the record of her restraining order, expressed fear that her abuser would use her children to get back at her. Fathers use their own sons to abuse their victims. And fathers kill their own sons to hurt their victims in the most painful way possible.

An aggressive businessman, a caring father, a batterer. Ed Daou chose the latter as his legacy. But why was he so consumed that he chose to take his own son’s life and then his own? Why are batterers so insecure that they refuse to live if they can’t have their way? The answers to these and other questions are not easily found, but they must be sought, they must be discussed, and they must be understood. If we do not confront them, and if we accept the erroneous notion that domestic violence is something that happens between two people, then it will happen again and again.

If we accept that domestic violence is a community issue, that we should talk about it in our classrooms, in our homes, with our children and our family and friends, then I’m hopeful that we can prevent more fathers from killing their sons.

One way to start the conversation is by calling Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence. Our hot line number is 408-279-2962. Ask us how you can help to stop the violence before it starts.

Yesterday marked a day unlike any other for the family and friends of Jennifer Schipsi who was cut down in the prime of her life by Bulos “Paul” Zumot October 15, 2009.  Yesterday the jury in Zumot’s trial came back with a verdict of Murder in the First Degree and Arson.   It was bittersweet.  As Jennifer’s aunt Dee Towner said “Jennifer still won’t wake up tomorrow.”    However because a jury of his peers confirmed what family and friends already knew, it was also validating.

I rarely use the word evil but that is the only term that came to mind as we all discovered his diabolic plot to end the life of someone who got in his way.  Paul testified.  His testimony left me chilled.  Although his attempts at cover up were futile, watching him justify and minimize his abuse and at times try to convince the jury that Jennifer never minded his name calling, obsessive contacts and threats was insightful.  He is truly a batterer in all the ways we have learned batterers behave.

Over the course of the past 16 months I watched as an imperfect system with many disparate parts and rigid legal standards searched to find justice for an unjust act.   A judge, a team of prosecutors and defense attorneys, witnesses for both sides and a jury of Paul’s peers intensely played out their roles without pause.  The process was ugly and painful but in the end justice won out.  The jury took their role very seriously.  I commend them for their due diligence.  The judge was knowledgeable and respectful.

Charles Gillingham, an incredibly skillful prosecutor led the jury on the difficult and tedious journey into the mind of a person who plotted out an unthinkable and horrific act against the person he purported to love.  Deputy DA (DDA) Gillingham spent more than 16 months piecing together Paul Zumot’s thoughts, intentions and actions before, during and after he murdered Jennifer Schipsi.  DDA Gillingham was brilliant.  His closing remarks to the jury were filled with facts and feelings.  It was easy to see that he was invested in this case.  He spoke for Jennifer as no one else could.  Jennifer believed Paul would kill her.  Now the world knows he did.  Jennifer can rest in peace now.  Paul Zumot will not hurt another woman.  He will spend his days knowing he didn’t get away with murder.

Unfortunately the slight reprieve did not last long.  Opening this morning’s paper I read that a woman was stabbed to death and another strangled.  More than likely, the perpetrators were their current or former partners.  When, as a community, do we say enough?  We can’t keep losing women to unspeakable acts of terrorism.  When will we understand that this form of terrorism is as destructive for society as national and international terrorism?  We urgently need answers as a community and nation.  We can’t wait any longer.

Mission City Community Fund is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that aims to support non-profit organizations in Silicon Valley that are doing their part to enrich the lives of community residents. In response to shrinking Federal financial support for much needed community programs, a group of concerned Santa Clara citizens formed the Fund in order to increase the quality of life for community residents. Over the years, MCCF has supported hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout Silicon Valley and Next Door Solutions is pleased to have our names on that list.

Next Door Solutions thanks Mission City Community Fund for their recognition of Next Door and applauds their commitment to supporting victims of domestic violence in our community!

Elisabeth Copper, Development and Marketing Associate
Joshua Krammes, Fund Development Director
Lisa Gillmor, Board Member of MCCF
John Latham, Board Member, Fund Dev. Committee Chair
Chris Boyd, Board Member of MCCF
Jono Marcus, Development and Communications Manager
Becky Black (Santa Hat), Development Associate
Marianne Adoradio, Board Member
Kathleen Krenek, Executive Director

The Avon Foundation for Women has awarded a $50,000 one-year grant to Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence for the creation and funding of the Avon Empowerment Self-Sufficiency Program to make an immediate, tangible difference for domestic violence survivors by providing them with guidance and assistance to create independent, violence-free lives. The Avon Empowerment Self-Sufficiency Program is the focus of the 2010 Avon Foundation for Women’s annual awards program under the auspices of the Foundation’s Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative. Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence is among one of the 32 grant recipients selected from among close to 150 applicants nationwide.

As a grant recipient of the Avon Empowerment Self-Sufficiency Program, Next Door will help domestic violence survivors create better lives for themselves and their families. DV agencies have faced reductions in funds, while the need for services are at unprecedented levels, and the Avon Foundation is proud to support these 32 full-time positions.

Domestic violence victims may be less likely to leave and stay away from abusers if they have limited hope of achieving economic stability on their own. Additionally, this lack of economic stability or programs may increase the likelihood of a return to the abuser or lead to homelessness. This vital program will address these issues and will extend the services that current Self Sufficiency Advocates provide by increasing the response to the needs of domestic violence victims through the hiring and employment of a Self Sufficiency Coordinator.

Carol Kurzig, President, Avon Foundation for Women, noted that “Next Door Solutions is delivering critical services to the domestic violence survivors and their families.  We are proud to support their efforts to help end the cycle of violence.”

“We are extremely proud that the Avon Foundation for Women shares our mission to help domestic violence survivors and their families in Santa Clara County. With these funds we will be able to continue on our mission of ending domestic in the moment and for all time,” says Kathleen Krenek, Executive Director of Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence.

About Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence:

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence http://www.nextdoor.org established the first bilingual English-Spanish domestic violence shelter in the nation toward its mission to end domestic violence in the moment and for all time. Since 1971, Next Door has promoted safe and healthy options for culturally and linguistically diverse, very low to low income victims and their children in Santa Clara County through emergency shelter and transitional housing; multiple points of entry for victims; individuals, system and institutional advocacy; crisis intervention and peer counseling; education for victims and the community; and community norms change through prevention activities. Collectively, its programs reach between 7,500 and 9,000 clients annually.

About The Avon Foundation for Women and Speak Out Against Domestic Violence:

The Avon Foundation for Women <http://www.avonfoundation.org>, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women, and brings this mission to life through focus on domestic violence. Through 2010, Avon global philanthropy has donated more than $800 million in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women. The Avon Foundation’s flagship programs include the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program, which supports domestic violence awareness, education, direct services and prevention initiatives. Through the end of 2010, in the U.S. alone, the Avon Foundation for Women has provided more than $23 million for the domestic violence and gender violence cause, including support for awareness, education, direct service and prevention programs.

For more information:
To learn more about the Avon Foundation for Women Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program, visit <www.avonfoundation.org>, where you can also access a free printable Domestic Violence and Dating Abuse Resource Guide in English <http://www.avonfoundation.org/assets/dv-resource-guide-2010-final.pdf> and Spanish <http://www.avonfoundation.org/assets/dvbookspanish.pdf>.

For more information on Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, please call Jono Marcus at (408) 504-7744. For more information about Next Door’s domestic violence services, please call Next Door’s Community Office at (408) 501-7540.

SHARKS JOIN THE FIGHT

AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

SAN JOSE, CA—The San Jose Sharks are known for being tough on the ice. Now, the Sharks Foundation is getting tough on the issue of domestic violence by supporting Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence.

The Sharks Foundation has pledged $25,000 to support Next Door Solutions, a non-profit organization that provides housing and assistance to victims of domestic abuse and their children.

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence was founded in 1971 with the goal “to end domestic violence in the moment and for all time”.

Next Door Solutions’ services include a 24-hour emergency hotline and safe shelter, transitional housing in San Jose and Santa Clara, peer counseling and support groups, and legal advocacy.

In addition, Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence offers access to services in over 35 languages and have programs for children, teens, and the elderly.

With the Sharks Foundation joining the team, Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence is that much closer than ever to achieving their goal to end domestic violence.

More information can be found at www.nextdoor.org.

# # #

FOR INFORMATION: http://www.nextdoor.org

Contact: jmarcus@nextdoor.org

(408) 501-7540