Valley Crisis Center, an organization that focuses on providing aid to domestic abuse victims, has teamed up with the Allstate Foundation to take on the Purple Purse Challenge.
The Purple Purse challenge is a fundraising event in which those who donate, a minimum of $10, enter a raffle to win a Coach purse designed by Kerry Washington, best known for her role in ABC’s drama Scandal. All the proceeds go to the organization.
The Valley Crisis Center has a goal to raise $10,000, and so far, $2,615 has been donated to the Purple Purse challenge.
The money raised will be used to continue helping victims of domestic abuse. Valara Villanueva, a volunteer advocate for the Valley Crisis Center, said that the money would be used “to feed shelter families. All funds will go to counseling and to help women become who they are without their abuser.”
Valley Crisis Center also offers services at UC Merced. “A lot of UC students use our services,” stated Villanueva. “One out of four women will be a victim of domestic abuse,” she continued to explain, “98% of abusers will control everything the victim has.”
Some of these services include law advocacy, counseling, support groups, emergency shelter, and providing a 24 hour hotline.
“We’ve helped over 1,600 victims in the past year in Merced,” replied Villanueva after being asked how many people seek their services.
The Valley Crisis Center is also offering volunteering opportunities for anyone interested in helping.
Villanueva said, as she stressed the importance of seeking help against domestic abuse, “When you live in Merced, you are a part of our community. You can get our help no matter where you come from.”
Visit valleycrisiscenter.org for more information on volunteering opportunities.
Adrian Toscano
Managing Editor
atoscano2@ucmerced.edu