Community Corner
Local Organization SAVES Families Experiencing Domestic Violence
Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments hosts breakfast to inform the community about the truths about domestic violence.
“Don’t be afraid to help.”
These were the words spoken by Rodney Clark, executive director for Safe Alternatives To Violent Environments, or SAVE, during the non-profit organization’s 9th Annual Breakfast Eye Opener.
Around 300 elected officials along with members of the business community from local police and fire enforcement to concerned citizens were up bright and early to learning more about SAVE during the breakfast held at the on Sept. 30.
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Established on Oct. 2, 1978 under the name Shelter Against Violent Environments (SAVE), the Fremont-based agency’s first shelter was a cottage that provided a safe haven for two families to battle domestic violence.
SAVE has grown from the shelter of a tiny cottage to providing a wealth of services. A decade after its inception, SAVE’s transitional housing apartment complex, WINGS (We In Need Gain Strength), opened in South Hayward to become the first transitional housing for domestic violence victims in Alameda County.
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About 31 percent of American woman report being physically or sexually abused by a significant other at some point in their lives, according to the SAVE website.
Individuals visiting the SAVE office can obtain counseling, life skills training, legal advocacy, restraining orders, crisis intervention, community education, teen dating violence prevention program, children's programs, and support groups. Clients can also apply for transitional housing at the Fremont location.
Providing shelter as well as these numerous other services is not cheap. That is why SAVE holds events such as the autumn morning breakfast to raise not only awareness but also funding.
For more information about services or how to donate, contact SAVE at 510-574-2250 or click here to visit the organization’s website.
According to SAVE, domestic violence comes in various forms:
Physical Kicking, punching, shoving, slapping, pushing, and any other acts which hurt your body. Sexual Calling you vulgar names, criticizing your body part or sensuality, forced or pressured sexual acts, including rape Emotional Assaults against your self-esteem Verbal Name-calling, threats, put-downs Psychological Causing you to feel as if you are "going crazy" Spiritual Attacking your spiritual or religious beliefs Financial Controlling and manipulating you by threatening your economic status and basic needs Homophobic Threatening to "out" you to people who do not know your sexual orientation Immigration Using your immigration status and fear of deportation to control you Destructive Acts Actual or threatened assault of your property or pets to scare you*Information in the table above provided by SAVE
