Human Options

How You Can Help

Nora — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:33:11 +0000

Serious Fun 2010

Nora — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:32:27 +0000

Domestic violence from a child’s eyes

Nora — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:54:57 +0000

I was very touched by a recent visit with a wonderful donor and supporter of Human Options. A successful community and corporate leader in his 70’s, he is interested in creating a video telling his family’s story. He said, “this will be a legacy he to leaves as a gift to my mother.” Like many women before the advent of domestic violence programs in the l970s, his mother was a longtime victim of domestic violence with no options for help. As a young boy growing up he had no power to change that. Now he wants to tell his story as a way of creating change to help community members understand the tremendous personal and social costs of domestic violence.

His commitment made me think of the many successful adults I meet in my work who share with me the stories of their mothers’ isolation and fear. I hear their words and voices saying “There was no one to help my mother. I used to run upstairs and hide in the closet; I will never forget my mother’s tears.”

Today as leaders in the domestic violence prevention and treatment programs we speak for these women who have no voice and for their children who live in fear. And we create the promise of freedom from fear and abuse for this next generation.

If you have a story you would like to share I invite you to join our community leaders who speak of past hurt and hope for the future and begin a dialogue.

Irvine Police Chief Maggard and young friend

Nora — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:23:19 +0000

City of Irvine Chief Maggard with young friend

City of Irvine and Human Options join forces to fight DV

Nora — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:14:24 +0000

Irvine fights rising domestic violence rates

By SEAN EMERY

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

IRVINE – Police are working to coax domestic violence victim’s out from behind closed doors, teaming up with both city and community groups to tackle the historically under-reported crime.

Irvine has held onto its status as the safest large city in the country, but rising domestic violence rates means that city leaders can’t rest on their laurels, Mayor Sukhee Kang noted in his annual State of the City speech this week.

The impact of domestic violence became all too clear over the past few years, as a series of high profile homicides were linked back to relationship strife, including:

• The arrest of Bahram Nazeri for the 2006 murder of his wife, Nooshin Mirabadi, and mother-in-law Pavaneh Gharayankordestan. Nazeri last year was found guilty of first degree murder.

•The death of Janelle Peralta in 2007 after a bloody fight with her boyfriend, Javier Colon. A jury last week found Colon guilty of first-degree murder.

•The fatal stabbing of Yolanda Snyder in 2007, and the subsequent arrest of her estranged husband, Terry Snyder. Snyder last year pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

Hoping to stem the violence, Irvine police in August 2008 created the Family Violence Prevention Focus Group by teaming up with the city-run For Families program, as well as the countywide victim’s assistance program and Human Options Women’s Shelter.

“We were in a quandary at first, because domestic violence had been viewed as a private crime, something that happened behind closed doors, and the traditional thought is that you can’t prevent those types of crimes,” Irvine police Commander Mike Hamel said. “We decided we wanted to challenge the notion that domestic violence couldn’t be prevented.”

Police began by focusing on officer training, hoping to increase their awareness of, and sensitivity toward, domestic abuse victims. They also cemented their relationship with the victim’s advocates by inviting them out on ride-alongs during busy nights of the week.

The group then turned its attention on broader outreach, creating a video public service announcement for city-run ICTV, and recently holding its first domestic violence symposium.

Among those helping out the group is a former domestic violence victim named Cheryl, whose husband was arrested more than a dozen years ago. Due to the nature of the crime, the Register is not using Cheryl’s last name.

Cheryl met Commander Hamel during one of her husband’s arrests, and said she has kept in touch with him ever since, bringing him cookies every year for Christmas. When he asked her to take part in forum, she was initially reticent, but decided that it was important to reduce the stigma of domestic violence.

“I’m sure every circumstance is different, but in mine it was low self-esteem, and the humiliation and not wanting to air dirty laundry,” Cheryl said. “I felt very sheltered and alone and didn’t think it was happening to anyone else.”

“Reach out, don’t do it alone,” Cheryl continued. “There are so many resources now to help you through it.”

Police believe that their new effort to actively reach out to domestic violence has already affected the city’s crime rate, which rose by 42 percent during the first half of last year. That translated to about two-dozen more victims, Irvine police Lt. John Hare said, about half of whom reported aggravated assaults.

“Our numbers are so low that any increase or decrease if you are looking at it percentage-wise looks like a lot,” Hare said. “But if there are people out there who are suffering, we are going to reach out and provide the support they need.”

Mindy Weinheimer Receives Community Service Award

Nora — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:35:18 +0000

IRVINE—The Orange County Business Journal recently honored seven chief financial officers with awards including Human Options Administrator Director Mindy Weinheimer at its annual CFO of the Year Dinner and Program, held in association with Cal CPA—OC/Long Beach chapter.

Nearly 600 attendees came out for this year’s event, which took place on January 27 at the Hyatt Regency, Irvine. Rob Ukropina, Managing Partner at Black Diamond Ventures, acted as the program’s master of ceremonies.

Community Service Award – Mindy Weinheimer, Human Options (Irvine)

Mindy Weinheimer joined Human Options in December 2005. At that time, the organization employed a part-time accountant but had limited institutional knowledge of its accounting policies and financial operations. In consultation with the audit committee, the organization’s external auditor and the board, she immediately wrapped her arms around the finance operations so that the organization could position itself for greater success.

In addition to doing volunteer work for Human Options, Weinheimer sits on the board of directors of Building Friends, an organization that serves special needs in children. She also does pro bono consulting for Mission Accomplished and for YWCA.

Mindy Weinheimer at OCBJ CFO Awards Dinner

ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

HONORS MINDY WEINHEIMER WITH

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD AT SOLD OUT GALA DINNER EVENT

Lennar Homes Makes Play Fun Again

Nora — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:34:02 +0000

Playhouse ready for fun at the shelter

Lennar Homes Coastal Communities employees dedicated two days to a complete makeover for our children’s playground area. Construction and customer service field staff along with office staff arrived with paint, plumbing materials, landscaping, and various other building supplies to transform the old tired playground area into a colorful, thriving playground paradise for the emergency shelter families.

Residents helped plant strawberry and lettuce plants in a new garden space. The garden will be incorporated into the children’s therapeutic treatment program. Another centerpiece of the area is the refurbished playhouse painted now to look like a treehouse.

Along with a new outdoor utility sink, new sprinkler system, sod, and flowers Lennar Coastal Communities donated two new picnic tables.

Shop with a Cop Magical Success!

Nora — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:37:52 +0000

Irvine Police Officer Jesse Busta shops in Target with a child as part of the Shop With a Cop event

IRVINE – Christmas came early for a group of nearly 60 kids from a local shelter on Thursday, with dozens of Irvine Police personnel helping them find the perfect gift as part of the annual Shop-With-A-Cop event.

About 57 kids from Human Options and 45 police employees met up at Stonefire Grill, before pairing off for a shopping excursion at a nearby Target.

Irvine Police Officer Jesse Busta shops in Target with a child Thursday as part of the Shop With a Cop event.

Sponsored by Irvine Police, Human Options and Team Kids, the event brought together a variety of local businesses and outreach groups, including:

•Stonefire Grill, who contributed a buffet dinner and $100 gift card for each child,

•Target, who donated $50 gift cards for each child,

•Police employees, who contributed their own time, and in some cases money,

•Barnes and Noble, who provided new books for the kids.

•The Chuck Jones Center of Creativity, who provided cartoon art for the kids.

Volunteers described the Shop-With-A-Cop event as a moving experience.

“During the shopping event and throughout the evening, our officers and professional staff strove to build trusting relationships through a demonstration of compassion, understanding and support for these children,” Irvine Police Cmdr. Mike Hamel said. “We are hopeful the relationships we formed during this annual event will have a lasting impact on these children and their confidence in the law enforcement community to serve and protect them.”

Fall Luncheon Great Success

Nora — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:44:17 +0000

Speakers Betty Mahmoody (r) and her daughter Mahtob flank co-chairs Artyn Gardner and Beth Bidna

Human Options held its annual fall fundraiser on October 28 at the Balboa Bay Club featuring Betty Mahmoody, speaker and author to the New York Times best-selling book, “Not Without My Daughter.” Mahmoody and her daughter Mahtob shared their personal experience of escaping an abusive relationship and fleeing 500 miles to a foreign country. The sold-out event was attended by more than 500 guests and netted approximately $150,000.

Co-chairs Beth Bidna and Artyn Gardner were absolutely thrilled with the turn out and fundraising results. Proceeds from the event, “A Mother’s Courage - Making a Journey from Fear to Victory,” will support a variety of Human Options’ domestic violence programs in Orange County. A former graduate of the Human Options program shared her personal story of abuse and subsequent positive outcome as a result of support from Human Option.

Guests brought gently used clothing and accessories for Human Options’ Classy Seconds shop and/or new shoes and socks for the children in the Human Options programs. Peggy Greene won a $250 Fashion Island shopping spree as part of a drawing for attendees who donated items. Premier underwriters included Steve Churm, Churm Media, Susan and Bruce Edwards and Jean and Tim Weiss.

Gold underwriters: Karen and Jon Jaffe, Elaine Weinberg and Nancy Dahan, Yvonne and Damien Jordan

Silver underwriters: First Foundation Advisors, Victoria Collins, Ph.D., CFP, Artyn and Max Gardner, David Hendryx and David Stepanian, The Iacocca Family Foundation, Lia and Victor Assad, Resources Global Professionals, Kate Duchene, Barbara and William Roberts

Benefactor underwriters: Ginger and Tony Allen/Tracy and Steve Friedmann, Eve Barker and Ellen Shockro, Ph.D., Ali and Robert Bartholomew, Beth and Howard Bidna, Vivian Clecak and John Pricz, Jennifer Irrgang and LaShauna Johnson, Kaiser Permanente, Denise Giambalvo, KPMG, Celina Doka; Susanna and Eric Openshaw, Pamela Schmider, Squar, Milner & Peterson, Scharrell Talley Jackson, Jane and Richard Taylor

Vivian’s Voice

Nora — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:12:48 +0000

I just heard Rihanna’s interview with Diane Sawyer. I wish every teenage girl and boy, every mother and father could hear this and listen to some key messages from Rihanna, a young woman who is now able to see and tell the truth about abuse.

“Don’t’ react out of love; love is so blind” . Rihanna is so right; we have all heard thousands of love songs with the common theme that love is blind. It sounds romantic, but the reality is that the message encourages us to live in illusion and ignore common sense.. This is especially true for teen girls who are seduced by rock, rap and romance music.

“Denial is when you start lying to yourself the minute the physical wounds start to heal.” Again Rihanna is pointing out an important truth. Denial is the way we all avoid facing tough realities. It is both a subconscious and conscious way of hiding from pain.It keeps us locked in a bad situation that will only get worse.

The only way out of denial is to have people who care about you and help you face reality. But,most women and girls who are victims of abuse are like Rihanna. They blame themselves and tell no one. Rihanna didn’t want to talk to anyone after the abuse because she said she felt ‘so ashamed” that she chose someone like that.

We hope girls and boys, moms and dads, will listen to Rihanna’s story. Tell a friend or parent if you have been hurt by a boyfriend or if you are afraid. And parents ,don’t let your kids disappear into the illusion of love. Call our hotline – 949 8543554 or a counselor who knows about date abuse if you are worried. Don’t go into denial.

And, boys, remember Rihanna’s words “The thing that men don’t realize when they hit a woman is the scar inside – you remember it all the time.”