During the month of May California Historical Society will offer free gallery and program admission to guests that bring an item for donation in support of domestic violence survivors; San Francisco's La Casa de las Madres offers a continuum of comprehensive and empowering services to women, teens, and children exposed to and at risk of abuse
SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — During the month of May, the California Historical Society (CHS) will be collecting needed items for La Casa de las Madres, one of San Francisco's vital emergency shelters for domestic violence victims of all ages.
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Any visitor to the California Historical Society who brings in an item for donation will receive free admission to the Society's ongoing programs including the current exhibition, "Juana Briones y Su California: Pionera, Fundadora, Curandera."
The exhibition focuses on the life and times of Juana Briones (1802–1889)—pioneer, founder, healer—possibly San Francisco's first resident (when it was Yerba Buena) and one of the most important women in California in the mid-to-late 1800s. Her challenges and accomplishments are told in an engaging narrative and through paintings, maps, documents, and artifacts, which includes chronicling her escape from an abusive husband and her struggles as an independent mother, entrepreneur and landowner.
La Casa de las Madres is a San Francisco's domestic violence shelter that provides safety, support and the tools to help survivors transform their lives. The organization seeks to prevent future violence by educating the community and by redefining public perceptions about domestic violence.
"Every day we invest local women, teens, and children with tools and resources to enable their physical and emotional safety," said Kathy Black, Executive Director, La Casa De Las Madres. "The support from the California Historical Society and its visitors will provide free counseling, advocacy, legal services and around the clock access to safe shelter and non-judgmental support—critical resources for over 9,000 survivors when they're needed most."
Through this collaboration during the month of May, the California Historical Society and La Casa de las Madres hope to raise awareness and needed items to support victims of domestic violence in the Bay Area.
"Our organization is honored to help share the story of Juana Briones, a survivor of domestic violence, who escaped an abusive husband, protected her children and became one of the most influential women of her time," said executive director Dr. Anthea Hartig. "Unfortunately, domestic violence remains a serious issue today and we hope this month-long effort will help educate and raise continued awareness to curb the cycle of violence."
During the month of May visitors to the California Historical Society's exhibition or any special event at its 678 Mission Street exhibition space and galleries who bring an item for donation will receive free admission, which is normally $5. For a list of events visit californiahistoricalsociety.
For more information about Casa de las Madres visit their website at lacasa.org. Items being collected include shampoo, toothbrushes and toilet paper, baby formula, and diapers. A complete list of recommended items is available at lacasa.org/help/donate-goods/
About the California Historical Society: The California Historical Society is a 142-year-old, non-profit organization with a mission to inspire and empower people to make California's richly diverse past a meaningful part of their contemporary lives. Learn more at californiahistoricalsociety.
Contact:
Kevin Herglotz, HPA Strategic Communications
415-963-2601
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