Human Options

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month (TDVAPM)
2025-02-01 - 2025-02-28 | CA
February 1, 2025 – February 28, 2025

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month (TDVAPM), and this 2025 at Human Options, we are getting ready to launch our awareness campaign in hopes to engage our teens, families, networks and communities. Often times, teen relationships are overlooked and seen as ‘less serious’ when compared with adult relationships. Recently 1 in 12 high school students reported having experienced physical and sexual dating violence by an intimate partner. Because of these staggering statistics, we are preparing for our Love Shouldn’t Hurt campaign this February 2025. Join us as we promote Healthy Love and prevent teen dating violence from happening!
Click here to learn more about our #HEALTHYLOVE Campaign!

40 Hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training (DVAT)
2025-03-17 - 2025-03-20 | CA
Looking to work with domestic violence survivors or just expand your knowledge?

Register for Human Options’ 40-hour state-mandated workshop! Offered biannually in the Spring and Fall, this domestic violence series is ideal for those seeking employment or volunteer experience with a domestic violence organization in California.
Emergency hotline volunteers help answer calls to our 24-hour hotline and document each call. Emergency hotline volunteers are asked to do at least one, 3 hour shift per week. All hotline volunteers are mandated by the State of California to complete a 40-hour domestic violence awareness training before being eligible to volunteer.
Upon completion you will receive a certification as mandated California Evidence Code Section 1037.1.
Join us for our virtual 40-Hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training in March 2025! Click for flyer.
Monday, March 17th, 2025 (Training will be from 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. )
Tuesday, March 18th, 2025
Wednesday, March 19th, 2025
Thursday, March 20th, 2025
REGISTER HERE

Hoag OC Marathon - Run with Purpose
2025-05-03 - 2025-05-04 | OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, United States
Join Team Human Options at the Hoag OC Marathon!
Run, Fundraise, and Make a Difference for Survivors of Relationship Violence
We are thrilled to announce that Human Options will be participating as a beneficiary in the Hoag OC Marathon! This is an incredible opportunity for our supporters to join us in raising funds for our life-saving programs while getting active, having fun, and gathering to support our mission.

Racing Weekend Event Details for Racers
Racing with Team Human Options? Click here for details about the race:

How to pick up your racing bib.
Parking and shuttle information.
Times and locations.
Human Options Tent at the Finish Line

Meet Us at the Finish Line!
Come support our racers at the Finish Line! Visit the Team Human Options tent in the Expo area’s Charity Village. Cheer on our team of racers, take some photos, get hydrated, and learn more about your impact.

Saturday, May 3: 3:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 4: 8:00 – 11:30 AM

Ending relationship violence is a marathon. Every step you take, and every dollar you raise, takes us one step closer to an Orange County free from violence. Click here for a map of the Expo area at the Finish Line–you can find Team Human Options’ tent in the Charity Village.

Event Details

Dates: Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, 2025
Location: OC Fair & Event Center

How You Can Participate
Supporters of Human Options can sign up to run and fundraise for our cause by getting people in their network to sponsor their race. Whether you are a seasoned runner or new to the sport, there is a race option for you:

Hoag 5K Run or Walk (Saturday, May 3, 2025 AT 5:30 PM)
Half Marathon (Sunday, May 4, 2025 AT 6:30 AM)
Hoag OC Marathon (Sunday, May 4, 2025 AT 5:30 AM)

Our Goal
We aim to raise at least $10,000 through this event to support our mission of ending the cycle of domestic violence. Every dollar raised will go toward providing critical services and support for survivors of relationship violence and their families in Orange County. Every dollar you raise or donate—and every step you take—will support survivors seeking housing, legal advocacy, counseling, and a fresh start.

Get Involved Today

Register as a runner and fundraiser for Team Human Options.
Donate directly to support Human Options runners.
Volunteer to support runners and the race. Email Jonathan Forbes (jforbes@humanoptions.org) for more information.

You can view this video for more detailed information on how to register and set up your fundraising page.

Join us in making a difference—lace up your running shoes and be a part of Team Human Options at the Hoag OC Marathon. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels safe and and lives free from fear.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Questions? Please contact Jonathan Forbes, Senior Development Director, at jforbes@humanoptions.org.

Serious Fun Gala 2025
2025-05-17 17:30 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA, 92663
Please join the Human Options community for a night of disco-themed Serious Fun. Our annual gala celebrates the work that we do for survivors of relationship violence in Orange County and those who make it all possible.

SILENT AUCTION LIVE!
Our Silent Auction is now LIVE for online bidding. Please click below to bid on over 25 quality items.

GET INVOLVED

ABOUT THE GALA

MEET OUR DOVE HONOREE

THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Sponsorships Still Available! Click to learn more.
DIAMOND SPONSORS
Digital FastForward, Inc. & Clay and Linda Richardson
Greenberg Traurig, LLP & Susan Heller
Knobbe Martens & Dale and Wendy Peterson
MULTI-PLATINUM SPONSORS
CT Realty
The Frome Family Foundation
Michele I. and Abdo Khoury
Latham & Watkins, LLP
Rhythm Healthcare
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Consilio & Andrew and Colby Gray
Dr. Liza Eshilian-Oates and Mike Oates
Fermol, Inc.
Glaukos Charitable Foundation
Kim and Matt Grimm
Kaiser Permanente, Southern California
The Kingston Family
KPMG, LLP
Mara Murray
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP
Katie and Fred Nuñez
O’Melveny & Myers, LLP
Thomas and Victoria Otterbein
Partners of Knobbe Martens
Maricela Rios-Faust & Gary Faust
Schilling Law Group, PC
St. Mark Presbyterian Church
GOLD SPONSORS
Ernst & Young, LLP
Brian Ruttencutter & BBR Wine Consulting, LLC
TechMD
Terry Theologides and Deb Rodriguez
UNDERWRITERS
Angela and Kamran Ahmad
Scott Allen
John Asplund
Crevier Family Foundation
Hi-Time Wine Cellars
Hittelman Family Law Group APC
The Thompson Family Foundation

2025 SERIOUS FUN COMMITTEE
Jason Weintraub, Co-Chair
Rouz Tabaddor, Co-Chair
Lauren Asplund
Diane Biagianti
Kim Grimm
Nicole Kim
Wendy Peterson
Malia Petrucci
Brian Ruttencutter
Amber Tran
Jeff VanHoosear
Alexandra Williamson

Please contact Jonathan Forbes, Senior Development Director, for more information about sponsorship opportunities at jforbes@humanoptions.org.

Courage Over Comfort: Part One
2025-06-26 08:30 - 10:00 | CA
Join Us for a Powerful Live Recording Experience!
Be part of the audience for the launch of our new series, recorded live in front of a studio audience. This unique series brings real-time energy, meaningful dialogue, and the voices of those working to break cycles of relationship violence.
Our first episode will spotlight multigenerational violence, unpacking how trauma can pass from one generation to the next, and more importantly, how we can work together to interrupt these cycles and build a future free from violence.
Seats are limited, don’t miss this opportunity to witness and contribute to this important conversation. Click to register!
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=8f4def96-62d9-45e9-b0fc-65a1aa968a67&envId=p-QXg3qvYnWkex1Ovbg-YzBw&zone=usa

WEBINAR: Overview of Relationship Violence
2025-10-01 13:00 - 14:30 | CA
Join us for a free training open to the community, service providers and anyone who wants to learn more about relationship violence! Learn more about the signs, the dynamics of power & control, and the cycle of violence.
This is your opportunity to strengthen your knowledge so you can ignite social change.
Click to REGISTER!
ODV WEBINAR DVAM 2025 (Instagram Post (45))

Courage Over Comfort: Part 2
2025-10-02 08:30 - 10:00 | CA
Join us for a compelling conversation rooted in courage. They shared personal truths, lived experiences, and professional insights, exploring how trauma shapes families and the pathways to healing. This new series aims to spark transformative dialogue and disrupt cycles of relationship violence, encouraging participants—whether survivors, providers, or those carrying generational pain—to speak their truths with vulnerability and strength. Through its Courage Over Comfort Series, Human Options is leading the way in fostering courageous conversations and healing.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Human Options is working to shift the community mindset by sharing stories of survivors. This panel will include voices from Gabriella Blanchard, a relationship violence survivor saved by her local Police Department, and another is Chief Michael Kent, a long-standing city partner that collaborates with Human Options to keep survivors safe during domestic violence calls
Seats are limited, don’t miss this opportunity to witness and contribute to this important conversation. CLICK TO REGISTER!

#ShineTheLight Walking Vigil – Costa Mesa
2025-10-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Lions Park Lawn, 570 W 18th St, Costa Mesa, CA, United States
Join us for our 4th Annual Shine the Light Walking Vigil to honor and show solidarity for victims and survivors of relationship violence in partnership with City of Costa Mesa and Costa Mesa Police Department. Help transform our communities to light city purple and show our commitment to ending relationship violence as we partner with our cities and law enforcement to ignite change.

ShineTheLight 2025 - Costa Mesa

Fall Luncheon 2025
2025-10-10 11:30 - 13:30 | Lido House, Autograph Collection, 3300 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, United States
Friday, October 10, 2025

Lido House, Autograph Collection

3300 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Join us at our 2025 Annual Fall Luncheon and help us spread awareness while raising critical funds to support survivors of relationship violence seeking Human Options’ life-changing services.

This year, we are honored to feature keynote speaker April Hernandez Castillo as we shine the light on teens who have overcome relationship violence. Learn more about April below.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. All guests are encouraged to wear purple in support of survivors and to raise awareness of the issue of relationship violence in our communities.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative event reminding us of all the extraordinary power we hold to create change.

About Our Keynote Speaker

As we shine the light on teens who have overcome relationship violence, we are honored to introduce our keynote speaker, April Hernandez Castillo. April is an author, actress, and speaker whose memoir, Embracing Me, chronicles her journey as a teen survivor of relationship violence through resilience, courage, and transformation. From the streets of the Bronx to celebrated roles in Freedom Writers and Dexter, April is a voice for survivors everywhere, reminding us that we have the power to rewrite our story. She takes the audience behind the scenes to the most intimate parts of her life and uses her voice and humor to ignite, empower, and educate.

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

Empowerment Sponsors
Michele I. and Abdo Khoury

Protector Sponsors
Diane Biagianti & Glaukos Corporation
Kim and Matt Grimm
Susan L. Heller & Greenberg Traurig, LLC
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
Nikole Kingston and O’Melveny & Myers, LLP
KPMG, LLP
Latham & Watkins, LLP
ML Marketing & Advertising
Katie and Fred Nuñez
Maricela Rios-Faust & Gary Faust
Schilling Law Group, PC
Whittier Trust

Survivor Benefactors
Kaiser Permanente
Rhythm Healthcare
Denise Schuler

Mocktail Underwriters
Matt & Alex Williamson

2025 Fall Luncheon Committee
Courtney Williams, Chair
Alexandra Williamson, Co-Chair
Lauren Asplund
Kim Grimm
Shelley Pecora
Rouz Soleymani
Alma Toggenburger
Amber Tran
Colleen Weeks

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jonathan Forbes, Senior Development Director, at jforbes@humanoptions.org or call 949-259-0280.

#ShineTheLight Walking Vigil – Irvine
2025-10-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Heritage Park, 14301 Yale Ave, Irvine, CA, 92604, United States
Join us for our 3rd Annual Shine the Light Walking Vigil to honor and show solidarity for victims and survivors of relationship violence in partnership with City of Irvine and Irvine Police Department. Help transform our communities to light city purple and show our commitment to ending relationship violence as we partner with our cities and law enforcement to ignite change.

#SHINETHELIGHT 2025 Flyer - Irvine

WEBINAR: Supporting Youth Experiencing Relationship Violence
2025-10-22 11:00 - 12:30 | CA
Are you a youth-serving provider who sees relationship violence in the field? Learn best practices to effectively support and empower children & teens who are or survivors of relationship violence. This session will equip you with trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and survivor-centered strategies to enhance your impact.
Click to REGISTER!
Supporting Children Experiencing RV

#ShineTheLight Walking Vigil – Santa Ana - Copy
2025-10-30 18:00 - 19:30 | CA
Join us for our 2nd Annual Shine the Light Walking Vigil to honor and show solidarity for victims and survivors of relationship violence in partnership with City of Santa Ana and Santa Ana Police Department. Help transform our communities to light city purple and show our commitment to ending relationship violence as we partner with our cities and law enforcement to ignite change.

#SHINETHELIGHT 2025 Santa Ana Flyer Eng & Sp

Adopt A Family 2025
2025-11-02 - 2025-12-25 | Human Options Business Office, 5540 Trabuco Rd, Ste 100, Irvine, CA, 92620, United States
Give the healing power of love and compassion that outlasts the season.

For families rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of abuse, the holidays can be a painful reminder of what’s been lost. But with your help, it can also be a time of warmth, celebration, and hope.
By participating in our Adopt A Family holiday program, you can provide survivors and their children with wrapped gifts from their personalized wish list—restoring a sense of normalcy, love, and community support when it’s needed most.

Step into the Season of Giving

Register to Adopt a Family
Registration opens November 2. Please sign up by November 17 to receive a personalized wish list from one of the families we serve.
Receive Your Family’s Wishlist
Wish lists will be sent to you no later than the week of November 24. Each includes age-appropriate gift ideas for every family member.
Shop, Wrap, and Deliver
Purchase and wrap the gifts, then drop them off at the Human Options Business Office by December 15. We’ll make sure they’re delivered in time for families to open during the holidays.
Drop-off location: 5540 Trabuco Rd, Ste 100, Irvine, CA 92620.

Be the Heartbeat of the Holidays

Your generosity does more than fill gift bags—it fills hearts.

You remind survivors that they are seen, valued, and supported.
You help children experience the magic of the season, even in the midst of transition.
You offer families a moment of joy, stability, and connection on their healing journey.

Your compassion helps transform the holidays into a time of hope and healing. Thank you for standing with survivors and for making this season brighter, one family at a time.
Questions? Please email us at humanity@humanoptions.org.

Thank You to Our Hearts of the Season!
The Abelings
Manija Ahmed
Scott Allen
Diane Biagianti
Central Enterprises
Leslie and Logan Coleman & Friends
Michaela & Kurt Cronican
Mr. & Mrs. Donaldson
Amy J.
The Jacobson Family
Nancy Kemp
The Kingston Family
The Nuñez Family
The Procsal Family
RGP
Khylo Rhoden
The Rosas Family
Schilling Law Group, PC
Jack & Katharine Schoellerman
Kerri & Dani Sonenshine
State Farm Insurance
Team Deligan
Kristina & Aric Torreyson
Andrea Vandiver
The Wyatt Family

Courage Over Comfort: Ep 3
2026-02-19 08:30 - 10:00 | CA
Join us for a compelling conversation rooted in courage. They shared personal truths, lived experiences, and professional insights, exploring how trauma shapes families and the pathways to healing. This new series aims to spark transformative dialogue and disrupt cycles of relationship violence, encouraging participants—whether survivors, providers, or those carrying generational pain—to speak their truths with vulnerability and strength. Through its Courage Over Comfort Series, Human Options is leading the way in fostering courageous conversations and healing.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month, and Human Options is working to shift the community mindset by sharing stories of survivors. This panel will include voices from Guadalupe Sosa, a teen dating violence survivor, and another is Dr. Brett Goldberg, a community partner and advocate who collaborates with Human Options in his role at CSUF, with knowledge around campus violence prevention and healthy masculinity.
Seats are limited, don’t miss this opportunity to witness and contribute to this important conversation. CLICK TO REGISTER!

11th Annual Love Shouldn't Hurt Teen Conference
2026-02-28 09:00 - 15:30 | CA
The 11th Annual Love Shouldn’t Hurt Teen Conference is a free, family‑centered event dedicated to promoting healthy relationships and preventing teen dating violence. Held on February 28th, 2026 at Santa Ana High School, the conference brings together teens, parents, and trusted adults for interactive workshops, resources, and conversations designed to help families recognize abuse and build safe, supportive relationship skills. This annual gathering is part of Human Options’ commitment to empowering youth and creating a community where all young people can experience healthy, respectful love.
February 28th | 9am–3pm
Santa Ana High School
A day of learning, connection, and empowerment for teens across Orange County.
Workshops · Resource Fair · Opportunity Drawings · More
Whether you’re a young person, caregiver, educator, or advocate, this conference offers powerful ways to build skills, find support, and learn how we can prevent relationship violence together.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

40 Hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training (DVAT)
2026-03-23 - 2026-03-26 | CA
Looking to work with domestic violence survivors or just expand your knowledge?

Register for Human Options’ 40-hour state-mandated workshop! Offered biannually in the Spring and Fall, this domestic violence series is ideal for those seeking employment or volunteer experience with a domestic violence organization in California.
Emergency hotline volunteers help answer calls to our 24-hour hotline and document each call. Emergency hotline volunteers are asked to do at least one, 3 hour shift per week. All hotline volunteers are mandated by the State of California to complete a 40-hour domestic violence awareness training before being eligible to volunteer.
Upon completion you will receive a certification as mandated California Evidence Code Section 1037.1.
Join us for our virtual 40-Hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training in March 2026! Click for flyer.
Monday, March 23
Tuesday, March 24th
Wednesday, March 25th
Thursday, March 26th
REGISTER HERE

2026 Hoag OC Marathon - Run with Purpose
2026-05-02 - 2026-05-03 | OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, United States
Join Team Human Options at the Hoag OC Marathon!
Run, Fundraise, and Volunteer to Create a Safe-Haven for Survivors
Human Options is proud to return as a benefiting charity for the 2026 Hoag OC Marathon! This year, you can join Humanity in Action, our volunteer and community engagement initiative that mobilizes supporters to take meaningful action in creating a safer Orange County.
Whether you run, fundraise, or volunteer along the race route, you’ll be helping survivors of relationship violence find a safe-haven, healing, and empowerment.

Event Details

Dates: Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, 2026
Location: OC Fair & Event Center

Ready to Become Part of the Movement?

REGISTER as a racer and fundraiser for Team Human Options.
DONATE to support our racers and help provide safety for survivors.
VOLUNTEER with Humanity in Action to cheer on the team. Email Sarah D’Agostino (humanity@humanoptions.org) for details or to sign up.

There Is a Place for You
Run & Fundraise with Team Human Options
Racing on behalf of Human Options is an opportunity to turn your miles into impact. Runners will create personal fundraising pages and invite friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, and others in their network to sponsor their race.
There’s a race for every level:

Hoag 5K Run or Walk – Saturday, May 2, 2026 AT 5:30 PM
Half Marathon – Sunday, May 3, 2026 AT 6:30 AM
Hoag OC Marathon – Sunday, May 3, 2026 AT 5:30 AM

Volunteer through Humanity in Action

Not running? You can still make a powerful difference.
This year, Humanity in Action volunteers will help Human Options cheer on runners and raise awareness about our mission. It’s a high-energy, high-visibility way to stand with survivors and support our team. There are several ways to get involved and support our racers–please email Sarah D’Agostino (humanity@humanoptions.org) for details or to sign up.

Our Goal: Safety for Survivors & Their Families

This year, we’re making fundraising more accessible, more community-driven, and more impactful.
We aim to recruit at least 10 dedicated racers, each inviting 100 people in their networks to give $100.
Why $100? Because $100 provides one night of immediate safety for a survivor and their children through our emergency shelter or hotel voucher program.
One gift = one night of safety.
One racer’s network = 100 nights of safety.
Ten racers = 1,000 nights of safety for families escaping violence.
Every ask matters. Every donation matters. Every mile matters. Every dollar raised—and every step you take—will support survivors seeking housing, legal advocacy, counseling, and transformation. Every racer plays a role in ending the cycle of relationship violence in Orange County.

Join Us in Creating a Safer Community
Lace up, show up, and stand with survivors.
Be part of Team Human Options at the 2026 Hoag OC Marathon and help build a community where everyone can live free from fear. We can’t wait to see you there.

Questions? Please contact Sarah D’Agostino, Community Engagement Coordinator, at humanity@humanoptions.org.

2026 Serious Fun Gala: Under the Stars
2026-05-16 17:30 - 22:00 | Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA, 92663
To purchase sponsorships, learn more, and join the celebration, please click the button below to visit the Serious Fun 45th Anniversary Gala website.

For questions about sponsorship opportunities or donations to our live and silent auction, please contact:
Jonathan Forbes
Senior Development Director
jforbes@humanoptions.org

For all other event inquiries, please contact:
Claire Otterbein
Development Operations Coordinator
cotterbein@humanoptions.org

Serious Fun Gala Committee
Nikole Kingston, Co-Chair
Kim Grimm, Co-Chair
Diane Biagianti
Brenda Donaldson
Sara Kerrane
Wendy Peterson
Brian Ruttencutter
Amber Tran
