Eight survivors of domestic violence, including an immigrant from Vietnam, and an Iraq war veteran, will receive “Cycle for Change” scholarships at a special ceremony that will take place on Friday, March 24, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. at the Villa Maria shelter, 920 S. Oregon.
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal and Villa Maria shelter director Linda Velarde will present the scholarships to victims of domestic violence who requested financial assistance to pursue academic goals, or to fulfil needs such as therapeutic services, child care, or any other needs that might become an obstacle for them to move forward with their life.
The funds for the scholarships comes from the annual cycling tour “Cycle for Change: From Surviving to Thriving,” which was held on October 23, 2016, at Gallegos Park. The event was created with the purpose of raising funds to help survivors of domestic violence break the cycle of violence and help them thrive in our community. More than 300 cyclists from the region participated in last year’s event helping us raise more than $10,000, a record-breaking amount for the event.
“One of the most disheartening realities one faces while trying to help survivors of domestic violence is to see those victims return to their abusive relationships within days of a violent incident. Often that happens because many of those victims lack self-esteem and the necessary skills to live independently. The idea behind this program is to financially assist those survivors in their journey to acquire those skills that will guarantee their independence, so that they can forever break the cycle of violence,” said El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal
“Any primary survivor of domestic violence who resides in El Paso County, regardless of their immigration status, is eligible to apply for a scholarship from the program,” Bernal concluded.
For more information about the program please visit our website www.cycle4change.org
WHO: Survivors of domestic violence, County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal and Villa Maria Director Linda Velarde.
WHAT: “Cycle for Change” Scholarship Awards Ceremony
WHEN: Friday March 24, 2017, at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Villa Maria Shelter, 920 S. Oregon
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2017 Cycle for Change Scholarship Program Press Release.pdf
Ocho sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica, incluyendo una inmigrante de Vietnam y una veterana de la guerra de Iraq, recibirán becas “Cycle for Change” en una ceremonia especial que se realizará este viernes 24 de Marzo del 2017, a las 11:30 a.m. en el refugio Villa Maria, ubicado en el número 920 de la calle S. Oregon.
La Procuradora del Condado Jo Anne Bernal y la directora del refugio Villa Maria, Linda Velarde, entregarán las becas a sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica que solicitaron apoyo financiero para alcanzar metas educativas, o para solventar necesidades personales, como terapias o servicios de guardería, que constituyen obstáculos para seguir superándose en la vida.
El dinero de las becas proviene del evento ciclista anual “Cycle for Change: From Surviving to Thriving,” que se realizó el domingo 23 de Octubre del 2016 en el Parque Gallegos. Más de 300 ciclistas participaron el año pasado en el evento que logró recaudar la cantidad record de más de $10,000.
“Una de las realidades más desmoralizantes que uno enfrenta al tratar de ayudar a los sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica es ver a esas víctimas regresar a su relación abusiva pocos días después de un incidente violento. Frecuentemente eso ocurre porque muchas de esas víctimas carecen del auto-estima y de las habilidades laborales y educativas para vivir independientemente. La idea detrás de este programa es ayudar económicamente a esos sobrevivientes de la violencia para que adquieran las habilidades que les permitan vivir independientemente y romper para siempre el ciclo de la violencia,” dijo la Procuradora del Condado de El Paso Jo Anne Bernal.
“Cualquier sobreviviente directo de la violencia domestica que resida en el Condado de El Paso, sin importar su situación migratoria, es elegible para aplicar para una beca del programa,” Bernal finalizó.
Para más información sobre el programa pueden llamar a la Procuraduría del Condado de El Paso, al teléfono (915) 546-2053 o visitar la página de internet www.cycle4change.org.
QUIÉN: Sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica, Procuradora Jo Anne Bernal y Linda Velarde, Directora del refugio Villa Maria.
QUÉ: Ceremonia de entrega de becas “Cycle for Change.”
CUÁNDO: Viernes 24 de Marzo del 2017, a las 11:30 a.m.
DÓNDE: Refugio Villa Maria, 920 S. Oregon
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Boletin de Prensa Entrega Becas Cycle for Change 2017.pdf