Ending family violence -- Celebrating survivors, advocates, and Contra Costa County’s efforts

On Thursday, October 24th at Concord Hilton, STAND! For Families Free of Violence’s 21st Annual Rebuilding Lives Luncheon gathered the community to honor the hope and resilience of family violence survivors.

Keynote speaker, pro-athlete, activist, and feminist Don McPherson inspired the audience to overcome the silence that surrounds family violence and discussed the important role men can play in breaking the cycle.

Featured guests included event emcee and local ABC7 news anchor Cheryl Jennings, as well as Chief Chris Magnus and Captain Bisa French of the Richmond Police Department. Chief Magnus and Captain French were celebrated for their innovation, creativity, leadership, and commitment to ending family violence. Chief Magnus’ and Captain French’s 10 years of tireless work to create the West Contra Costa Family Justice Center in Richmond was commended with the Rollie Mullen Award. Adding inspiration to the afternoon, a family violence survivor shared her moving story of how she regained her strength and is working to rebuild her life.

The Luncheon was an opportunity to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, as well as  raise support for STAND!’s work to end violence and promote safe families and healthy relationships in our communities. Family violence knows no bounds, affecting individuals in every demographic group and zip code. In California, 40 percent of women will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, one in five teens will experience teen dating violence, and many children will experience the fatal effects of abuse or neglect. (In 2010, 120 children in the U.S. died as a result of abuse or neglect). 

For more than 35 years, STAND! For Families Free of Violence has been a catalyst for breaking the multi-generational cycle of violence, promoting safe and strong relationships, and rebuilding lives. As the sole provider of comprehensive domestic violence and child abuse services in Contra Costa County, STAND! provides prevention, intervention, and treatment programs to more than 10,000 individuals each year who are impacted by family violence. Link to STAND!'s website: www.standffov.org