spondencespondencespondenciaVolume 1, No. 1. Spring, 2006Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse

spondencespondence

ANNUAL REPORT EDITION

CORA’S MISSION to to end domestic violence and abuse in San Mateo County through intervention and prevention. We provide comprehensive services to end the inter-generational cycle of domestic abuse.

Community OvercomingRelationship Abuse

P.O. Box 5090, San Mateo, CA 94402 • Office: 650.652.0800 • Fax: 650.652.0808 • 24-hr Hotline: 800.300.1080 • www.corasupport.org

spondenciaVolume 1, No. 1. Spring, 2006

in thisissue:

savethedate

Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse

CORA’s Filipino American Task Force Makes History ...................p1

CORA’s Board and Staff.................p2

2004-2005 Annual Report ..............p 4-5

CORA’s Mother’s Day with Heart...................back page

CORA’s FilipinoAmerican Task ForceMakes HistoryBy Cherie M. Querol Moreno

If CORA is now a household name among FilipinoAmericans, it’s thanks to twelve dedicated volunteerswho call themselves the FilAm Advisory Board/TaskForce.

Since January 2002, eleven women and one man,who live or work in SanMateo County, havewidened CORA’s out-reach to the county’smost populous Asiangroup. They reflect thediversity of the FilAmcommunity and areunited in believing theycan help end domesticviolence. With theirhelp, CORA made histo-ry twice last year.

On October 5, 2005 theFilAm Task Force stagedthe first-ever publicpledge to end domesticviolence in Filipino America. Then on March 21st ofthis year, the group led a domestic violence aware-ness and sensitivity training workshop for the entirestaff of the Philippine consulate in San Francisco, afirst for any Philippine diplomatic office.

In February 2006, a Task Force member co-directedand two others performed along with all three ofCORA’s FilAm staff in the Filipina Women’sNetwork’s presentations of Eve Ensler’s The VaginaMonologues, putting the agency in the forefront ofFilipinas Against Violence Day.

“I’m proud to be a founding member of the TaskForce,” declared Bettina Santos Yap, who does pre-sentations and designs handouts for the FilAm

El Comité de AcciónFilipino Americano deCORA hizo historiaEscrito por Cherie M. Querol Moreno

Si en la actualidad CORA es un nombre conocidoentre la comunidad Filipino Americana se debe a 12dedicadas voluntarias que forman el Comité deAcción Filipino Americano de CORA.

Desde el mes de enero 2002 estas once mujeres y unhombre, que residen en el Condado San Mateo, han

ampliado el alcance de CORAhacia el grupo asiático másnumeroso de esta región. Esteequipo refleja la diversidad de lacomunidad Filipino Americana yestán unidas en la esperanza deque ellas pueden ayudar aterminar con la violenciadoméstica. Es con su ayuda queCORA ha hecho historia en dosocasiones en el pasado año.

El día 5 de Octubre del 2005, elComité de Acción Filipino-

Americano organizó el primerevento para hacer un juramentopúblico de terminar con la violenciadoméstica en la Comunidad Filipina

residiendo en EEUU. Luego el 21 de marzo de estemismo año, dicho Comité llevó a cabo por primeravez en el Consulado de Las Filipinas en SanFrancisco, un entrenamiento de prevención ysensibilidad sobre la violencia doméstica para todo elpersonal. Este fue el primer taller de este tiporealizado en una oficina Diplomática de las Filipinas.

En Febrero 2006, una miembra del Comité de Acciónfue la Codirectora de la obra teatral “Los Monólogosde la Vagina” escrita por Eve Ensler y presentada porla Red de Mujeres Filipinas. Otras dos miembras deeste Comité actuaron en dicha presentación al igualque tres Filipina Americanas del personal de CORA.A través de dicho evento CORA se encuentra al

Some CORA FilAm Task Force members: Rachel Puno Juliana, BettinaSantos Yap, Kristine Zafrani Averilla, Cherie Querol Moreno, AliceBulos, Erlinda Galeon, Yumi Querubin and Teresa Ferrer Guingona.

page 2

Melissa LukinExecutive DirectorDr. Jei Africa Clinical/Client ServicesDirectorMarcella AguilarTeen Outreach Program InternEleni AhoInterim Director ofEmergency Response ProgramJuan Alvarado Office/Human ResourcesAdministratorDebbie Appel, Esq. Legal Program DirectorGiannina Barajas ERP BilingualCounselor/AdvocateHarvey Bresler Finance DirectorKate F. Busby Bilingual Shelter Children’s AdvocateMaria Cardenas Shelter Children’s Program AssistantIndira Chakravort Volunteer Coordinator

Karen Clark Receptionist/Data EntrySpecialistJessica Dayton, Esq.Staff AttorneyLisa de Geneste Director of ProgramsPatty Del Castillo ERP BilingualCounselor/AdvocateMartha Figueroa ERP BilingualCounselor/AdvocateSue Friedenbach Hotline VolunteerDolores Galindo Client Support SpecialistMarlene Grant Shelter Counselor/AdvocateNatasha Guest Director of DevelopmentOlivia Horgan, Esq. Staff AttorneyShervon HunterTransitional Housing Case ManagerJennifer JimenezClient Support SpecialistValerie LinBookkeeper

Brandi Painter Director of HousingVince Pellegrini Teen Outreach Program InternKlealy Pineda-Mena Bilingual ShelterCounselor/AdvocateTagi F. Qolouvaki Director of CommunityEducationCherie M. Querol MorenoCommunity OutreachCoordinatorEvelyn Quinteros Client Support SpecialistRhina Ramos, Esq., M. Div. Latino Outreach CoordinatorMisti Rodriguez Teen Outreach CoordinatorCarlos Salinas, Esq.Staff AttorneyJorge Sanchez Hotline StaffMirtha Soto Hotline StaffJanet R. Sussman Development AssociateTyler WolfKlain Shelter Residential Coordinator Lourdes Zavala Hotline Volunteer

BOARD OFDIRECTORS

STAFF

NEWSLETTER STAFF

CORA’s Filipino American Task Force Makes History(continued from page 1)

Outreach. “We have definitely accelerated the drive to promotehealthy relationships in our community, which now knowsabout the vital resource that is CORA.”

The group meets regularly every three months to boost the FilAmOutreach, exploring opportunities to increase CORA’s visibility,providing contacts and planning for future workshops, buildingcoalitions, and supporting and celebrating each other. They gettogether as needed in response to agency and community initia-tives and concerns.

“My work on the Task Force is a highlight of my public service,”said community icon Alice Bulos, Task Force honorary chair. “Ahealthy community begins with healthy homes, which beginwith healthy intimate partnerships.”

Task Force members hold two-year terms renewable indefinitely.Each brings a unique contribution. Pre-Natal to Three Healtheducator, Kristine Zafrani Averilla, co-presents on the dynamicsof abuse. Businesswoman, Lina Susbilla, donates flowers anddisplays CORA posters and brochures at FilAm events. Publicinterest lawyer, Jojo Liangco, offers pro-bono consultation toCORA clients.ABS-CBN International communications manager,Ne-rissa Fernandez, connects the agency to the FilAm media.Berkeley Police Department safety officer, Yumi Querubin, writespress releases.

As a trustee with the Jefferson Union High School District, corpo-rate lawyer Rachel Puno Juliana is the link to San Mateo schools.Baker and Mackenzie paralegal, Nellie Hizon, is liaison to theArchdiocese of San Francisco’s Office of Ethnic Affairs. Whilepursuing a doctorate in psychology, Teresa Ferrer Guingona wasrecently sworn in as a member of the San Mateo Commission onParks and Recreation. Dr. Jei Africa, now CORA’s clinical direc-tor, is the resident cultural competency adviser.

Partnerships with allies in the media and other sectors comple-ment the work of the Task Force. Every week, Pinoy Today runsCORA’s ads free of charge as a donation to the agency. Everymonth, Manila Bulletin publishes Unbound, a column forwomen’s empowerment, with CORA’s support lines emblazonedin the boiler plate. Organizations like the Philippine Associationof University Women and UST Thomasians contribute to eventsas well. The Philippine consulate hangs CORA posters in high-traffic areas, displays flyers and brochures, and refers clients.

CORA “has definitely given us inspiration and encouragement topursue our role in promoting the welfare of Filipinos,” ConsulGeneral Rowena Mendoza Sanchez praised the Task Force. “Wehave benefited from the knowledge that you generously sharewith us.”

Kim Milligan, Esq.Chair JoAnna CaywoodVice-ChairDaniel C. RaveTreasurerAlejandro VilchezSecretaryElizabeth Hill, Esq.Rumana JabeenArron JironTom P. MarriscoloDr. Jennifer Normoyle Carol RamsayMarybeth TaharDeborah Lee TorresKim WiningerNaomi R. Yunker

Translation:Rhina RamosJorge SanchezContributing Writers:Dr. Jei Africa

Eleni AhoDebbie AppelNatasha GuestMelissa LukinBrandi Painter

Tagi F. QolouvakiCherie M. Querol MorenoJanet R. SussmanDesign and Layout:Alana Jelinek Design

Editor:Janet R. Sussman

page 3

frente de las Mujeres Filipinas que están combatiendo la violencia doméstica.

“Me llena de mucho orgullo ser una de las miembras fundadoras del Comité deAcción” declaró Bettina Santos Yap, quien realiza presentaciones comunitarias paraFilipina Americanas y ha diseñado nuestros materiales educativos. “Nosotroshemos definitivamente acelerado el impulso para promover relaciones saludablesen nuestra comunidad. Nuestra comunidad conoce ahora que CORA es un recursovital.”

El Comité se reúne periódicamente cada tres meses para trabajar en: multiplicarnuestro alcance a la Comunidad Filipino Americana, explorar maneras de seguirampliando la visibilidad de CORA en la comunidad, planificar talleres, eventosy también para darnos apoyo mutuo y celebrar quien somos. El Comité se da citacada vez que es necesario responder a una iniciativa de la agencia y lacomunidad.

“Mi trabajo en el Comité de Acción es una de las tareas que sobresalen en elservicio que doy a la comunidad” expresa Alice Bulos, quien es un símbolo en lacomunidad y que funge como presidenta honoraria del Comité. “Unacomunidad saludable comienza con hogares saludables y éstos comienzan conuna unión basada en relaciones sanas”

Las miembras del Comité sirven por el término de dos años y éstos sonrenovables. Cada miembra trae una contribución especial y única. KristineZafrani Averilla es Educadora del Programa Pre-Natal a Tres y ella combina suspresentaciones con información acerca de las dinámicas del abuso doméstico.Lina Susbilla es una mujer de negocios que hace donaciones florales y davisibilidad a CORA, exponiendo posters de la agencia en eventos comunitariosFilipino Americanos. Jojo Liangco es una abogada al servicio público que daconsultas gratis a clientes de CORA. Nerissa Fernandez, manager de la Red deMedios de Comun-icación Internacional ABS-CBN, conecta a la agencia conmedios de prensa Filipino Americanos. Yumi Querubin, oficial de la Policía deBerkeley, escribe comunicados de prensa sobre nuestro trabajo.

La abogada privada Rachel Puno quien funge como Consejal del DistrictoEscolar de la escuela superior Jefferson Union, es nuestro puente con lasescuelas de San Mateo. Nellie Hizon es una Asistente Legal en las oficinas Bakerand Mackenzie y es nuestra conexión con el Departamento de Asuntos Etnicosde la Arquidiosesis de San Francisco. Teresa Ferrer Guingona que esta en laactualidad trabajando en un doctorado en Psicología, fue recientementejuramentada como miembra de la Comisión de Parques y Recreación de SanMateo. La Dra. Jei Africa es la Directora de los Servicios a la Comunidad deCORA y es la persona encargada a fomentar la sensibilidad cultural en CORA.

El trabajo del Comité de Acción se ve complementado por las alianzas ycolaboraciones que se han formado con los medios de comunicación y otrossectores. Cada semana por ejemplo, el periódico Pinoy Today publica anunciosgratis para dar a conocer los servicios de CORA. Cada mes el BoletínInformativo de Manila, en su columna editorial para el liderazgo de la Mujer“Unbound”, publica los teléfonos de CORA. Las organizaciones como: laAsociación de Mujeres Universitarias Filipinas y la UST Thomasianscontribuyen a nuestros eventos también. El Consulado de las Filipinas tiene ensu sala y en las areas más visibles, posters y materiales informativos de CORA;de igual forma el personal refiere a personas a nuestra agencia.

CORA “ha definitivamente provisto su inspiración y apoyo para nuestra misiónde promover el bienestar de la Comunidad Filipina” dijo la Cónsul GeneralRowena Mendoza Sanchez, acerca del Comité de Acción. “Nosotros nos hemosbeneficiados del conocimiento y la generosidad de la información que hancompartido con nosotros.”

El Comité de Acción Filipino Americano de CORA hizo historia (continuado de la página 1)

Bath TowelsToilet PaperHand & Body LotionDishwashing SoapPaper TowelsStrollersUmbrellasDiapers – Sizes 3, 4, 5Safeway Gift Cards

Wish List

“AUTO” DONATE!Donate your car and helpabused families get on theroad to a safer future.

For more information, callJanet at (650)652-0800, x113

What will you be remembered for?Just include CORA in your Will with a simple statement such as: “I give,devise and bequeath to CORA, a nonprofit organization, Tax ID# 94-2481188, % of my estate.” Withone simple sentence, you can leave alife-saving legacy! Call Janet at (650)652-0800, x113 for more information.

DONATE ONLINE! Log into our secure siteat www.corasupport.org where youcan also find the latest updates from CORA.

CONTRIBUTIONS$1,574,617*

40%

IN-KIND DONATIONS(includes volunteers & material goods)$253,4746%

OTHER REVENUE$62,200

2%

FOUNDATIONS$239,531

6%

GOVERNMENTGRANTS & CONTRACTS

$1,783,83446%

FUND RAISINGEXPENSES$229,961

9%

PROGRAMEXPENSES

$1,898,80578%

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE$309,391

13%

page 4

The word “inspire” literally means“to breathe life into”. During fiscalyear 2004-2005, CORA staff andboard were inspired time and againby the generosity of our donors and funders. These contributions in turnhelped us to inspire our clients,which in turn helped them toinspire their families to live free fromviolence. The impact of this civicmindedness was felt by many.

From creating a $1.5 million endowmentfrom a generous bequest to tripling ourtransitional housing space to hiring ourfirst Director of Programs, Lisa de Geneste,and a new Clinical/Client Services Director,Dr. Jei Africa , I hope you’ll agree this year’sactivities are inspiring.

Housing Program:

During the 2004-2005 fiscal year, CORAoffered emergency housing, case manage-ment, peer counseling, support groups,food, clothing and household establish-ment to102 victims of domestic violenceand their children. Eighty-one percent ofclients exited the shelter program to eithertransitional or permanent housing. Weprovided transitional housing to 17 wom-en and 23 children, the most to date. TheHousing Program also experienced phe-nomenal growth this past fiscal year. Wewere able to expand our transitional pro-gram partnering with Shelter Network, alocal homeless service provider, to sub-lease eight apartments at one of theirsites. CORA’s transitional housing clientsnow have access to onsite childcare, alife skills program, individual andgroup counseling, and a foodpantry. With this expansion, wewere able to close down our small-er transitional housing unit, whichnow serves as administrative officespace for shelter staff and communi-ty space for clients, including a chil-dren’s room. Prior to this move, CORA’sshelter office was occupying a residentialunit at the shelter. With a move to the old

transitional unit, we were able toopen up more beds at the shelter.This increased our capacity toshelter clients by 25%. TheHousing Program also increasedits capacity to provide moreservices to Spanish-speakingclients by increasing the depart-ment staff from one of four bilin-gual counselors to three of five.

Client Support Services Program:

This past fiscal year, CORA was able toenhance our front-line support systemcomprised of a 24-hour crisis hotline (1-800-300-1080), crisis intervention coun-seling, peer support groups, and counsel-ing in local neighborhoods through the EnTu Comunidad Program. To increase thequality of care to county residents, wemerged two former independent hotlinesmaking it easier for clients to obtain thesupport and information they need, inboth English and Spanish. We alsoincreased the number of peer supportgroups offered, including two groups inSpanish, one in Tagalog, and one groupfor English speakers. For the fiscal year2004-2005, we received 4,529 calls to ourcrisis hotline, provided clients with 925 cri-sis intervention counseling sessions, andserved domestic violence survivors through1,428 support group sessions.

Legal Program:

CORA’s Legal Program continued to pro-vide legal assistance to domestic violence survivors through a Legal InformationLine, direct representation in court pro-ceedings, and advocacy with law enforce-ment and social service agencies. OurLegal Information Line offers immediateaccess to experienced and sensitive attor-neys who provide information, support,and referrals. In the last fiscal year, ourlegal staff provided 150 restraining orders,more than 150 court accompaniments,and answered over 1,200 calls on ourLegal Information Line, (650) 259-1855.The challenges facing victims are not lim-ited to legal proceedings. Domestic vio-lence creates numerous other obstacles,including housing, employment, immigra-tion, child care, and financial burdens.CORA attorneys often serve as a “one-

stop” resource for clients facing thesechallenges, referring clients to other

service agencies, and helpingthem navigate these agencies

to access the services they andtheir children need to moveforward on a safe, healthypath. CORA’s legal servicesare free and confidential,and are available in Spanishand English.

Community Outreach:

In the 2004-2005 fiscal year, theCommunity Education team provided

FY2004-2005 REV ENUE

FY2004-2005 EXPENSES

2004–2005 ANNUAL REPORTCORA Has An Inspiring Year

* Includes bequest of $1,259,943 which was designated as an endowmentby CORA's Board of Directors

training on the dynamics of dating and domestic violence andrelated issues to 1,382 adult community members includingsocial and health service providers; law enforcement; collegestudents and parents; as well as training to 1,380 teens at 12high schools, six court and community schools and two socialservice organizations serving youth. All other outreach, includ-ing tabling and other events, reached over 3,000 communitymembers. In teen outreach, we served 21 youth at CommunitySchool North, 38 young women at Hillcrest Juvenile Hall and 60young men at Camp Glenwood through our extended eight tofifteen week violence prevention groups. Teen interns andvolunteens provided support to teen peers through277 chatroom contacts and over 100,000 visits toour teen website were recorded (www.teenrela-tionships.org). Highlights for the year includethe hiring of two teen interns, Marcella Aguilarand Vince Pellegrini, to support our teen datingviolence workshops and marketing activities;Rhina Ramos’ presentation of the Promotores’model at the Family Violence PreventionFund’s National Health Conference; andCherie Querol Moreno and the FilAmTaskforce’s breakthrough training at thePhilippine Consulate.

Emergency Response Program (ERP):

The Emergency Response Program is a collaboration with SanMateo County law enforcement to provide phone counselingduring or immediately following 911 domestic disturbance calls.When responding to the scene of a 911 domestic violence call,police offer the victim the opportunity to speak to a CORAcounselor. Our specially trained ERP counselors speak with thevictim and inform them about the cycle of violence, its impacton children and about CORA’s individual and group counseling,shelter and legal services. During the 2004-2005 fiscal year, the

program provided services to 2,680 residents of San MateoCounty.

I extend my sincere thanks to the hardworking staff andvolunteers of CORA, and to you—our supporters—for such an amazing year. I look forward to many more

inspiring moments in the year ahead!

Melissa LukinExecutive Director

page 5

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

3,500

2,500

1,500

500

5,000

4,500

2004-2005 Clients Served

Comm

unity Overcom

ingR

elationship Abuse

P.O. Box 5090San M

ateo, CA 94402 Address C

orrection Requested

A Mother’s Day with Heart2nd Annual

Celebrating mothers and all nurturers who promote healthy families and homes

Please RSVP by May 5, 2006

title

organization

contact name

address

city state

faxphone

email

zip

Heart of Gold - $25,000: Opportunity to speak and announced recognition at event, premier logo placement in program and newsletter, inclusion in press releases and ads, table of 10.

Big Hearted - $10,000: announced recognition at event, prominent logo placement in program and newsletter, inclusion in press releases and ads, table of 10.

Open Hearted - $5,000: announced recognition at event, significant logo placement in program and newsletter, inclusion in press releases and ads, table of 10.

__ Heart Warming - $2,500: announced recognition at event, logo placement in program and newsletter, inclusion in press releases and ads, table of 10.

Heart to Heart - $1,000: listing in program and newsletter, inclusion in press releases and ads, table of eight.

From the Heart - $500: listing in program and newsletter, inclusion in press releases and ads, four event seats.

Table Reservations

Make checks payable to CORA. Donations over $22 are tax-deductible under tax ID number 94–2481188.

All tickets held at the door.

Questions? Call JANET SUSSMAN at (650) 652-0800, x 113.

Name on Credit Card

Account Number

Expiration Date

Signature

r Check

r Visa

r MasterCard

Payment Method:

A Breakfast

I wish to reserve ___ individual seats ____ # of people at $50 per person (basic ticket price)____ I cannot attend but wish to contribute $ _____.

Tickets:

Don’t miss CORA’s second annual event, “A Mother’s Day with Heart”, on May 12, 2006, from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.! This breakfast event is designed to generate much-needed support to help mend the hearts of victims in our community, while honoring mothers and nurturers who promote healthy families and homes free from abuse. The breakfast will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Register now to reserve your tickets – seating is limited!

Community OvercomingRelationship Abuse

Reservations

Mark forGuest Names: Vegetarian Meal1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.* For tables at the Heart of Gold, Big Hearted, Open Hearted and Heart Warming levels, please include a total of 10 names.

Sponsors*

* at time of printing

Our sincere gratitude goes to the following Mother’s Day with Heart sponsors:Open Hearted ($5,000)San Mateo County Association of RealtorsHeart Warming ($2,500)Borel Private Bank & Trust CompanyWells Fargo BankHeart to Heart ($1,000)Allied Waste Services (formerly BFI)Chicago TitleCommission on the Status of WomenFirst National Bank of Northern CaliforniaKaiser PermanenteLaw Offices of Cotchett, Pitre, Simon & McCarthyLucky ChancesMills-Peninsula Health ServicesThe Tevis FamilyWomen’s Council of Realtors, San Mateo Chapter From the Heart ($500)Allstate Insurance, San CarlosBohannon FoundationComcastFatherhood Collaborative of San Mateo CountyHanson Family Law Group, LLPAssemblyman Gene MullinSafewaySan Mateo County Human Services Agency

In-Kind SponsorsAccurate MailingsAlana Jelinek Design Calibre Printing