Domestic violence outreach comes to Fremont

Maitri Logo webFREMONT, CA: SAVE’s(Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments) collaborative efforts with peer organizations MUA – Mujeres Unidas y Activas (Oakland and San Francisco) – and Maitri (San Jose) will begin the week of April 20th.

Made possible by a $275,000 Blue Shield California Foundation grant, this two-year effort will bring culturally-specific free programs and services to two underserved populations in Southern Alameda County – South Asian and Latina domestic violence victims. All services will be held at The Empowerment Center at SAVE at 1900 Mowry Avenue, Suite 201, in Fremont.

For Spanish-speaking victims, Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) advocates will be available to provide individual support, referrals, and other assistance every Monday from 1 to 5 pm beginning April 20th. Every Tuesday beginning April 21st, a free Spanish-language support group will meet from 10 am to 1 pm. Free on-site child care and refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact MUA’s Oakland office at (510) 261-3398.

For South Asian victims of abuse, Maitri will offer free support groups, individual advocate services, and a series of workshops. Maitri will provide separate support groups for those who speak Hindi and Bangla. The Hindi-language group meeting will be from 3:30-5 pm every first and third Friday beginning April 17th.

The Bangla-language support group will meet every second and fourth Friday from 1 to 2:30 pm beginning April 24th. Free on-site childcare and refreshments will be available for those participating in Maitri support groups.

Maitri will also offer individual support services in Hindi and Punjabi every Thursday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm beginning April 16th. Individuals will be seen on a walk-in basis with advocates providing crisis support, referrals, and assistance with food, clothing, and more. Free on-site childcare will be available.

Additionally, Maitri advocates will launch a series of legal workshops beginning Tuesday, April 21st with a presentation on immigration issues for domestic violence survivors. The workshop will be presented in Hindi and Punjabi. Call (888) 862-4874 for more information. Childcare will not be available for the workshop series.

Help with transportation costs is available to individuals who participate in support group or individual advocate services. MUA clients should contact (510) 261-3398. For Maitri, call (888) 862-4874.
SAVE, Maitri, and MUA are excited for the opportunity to collaboratively address the needs of underserved populations in our community and are grateful for the generosity of the Blue Shield California Foundation.

National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
The month of April has been designated as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is a nationwide effort to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it.

Sexual violence can and does happen within intimate partner relationships. With an estimated 1 in 5 women experiencing sexual assault in their lifetime, more than half of female victims report that they were raped by an intimate partner.

Please join SAVE’s mission to strengthen every individual and family it serves with the knowledge and support needed to end the cycle of abuse and build healthier lives.

To find out more about how you can make a difference, visit SAVE’s website at www.save-dv.org or call Tina Fernandez at (510) 574-2250 ext. 106. There are many ways you can support victims and community safety. And remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, SAVE is here to help. Our 24-hour Hotline is (510) 794-6055. Trained SAVE advocates are available day and night to support you.

India Post News Service