News & Blog - Page 2 of 6

Human Options Partners With Santa Ana PD to Provide Immediate, On-Site Assistance to Domestic Violence Victims

Human Options, an Orange-County based nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence, is partnering with the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) to provide immediate, coordinated domestic violence assistance services to victims and their families. The SAPD received 5,947 domestic violence-related calls in 2016. As a result of this high rate of calls, the SAPD identified a need for immediate, on-site specialized assistance for domestic violence victims and their families. Human Options, a nonprofit that has been leading the way forward to ending domestic violence for 35 years, has partnered with the SAPD to establish “The Coordinated Domestic Violence Response Coalition” which will strengthen legal advocacy services offered to…

Human Options Receives $10K Grant from Bank of America for Second Step Program

Human Options, an Orange-County based nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence, has received a $10,000 grant from Bank of America to support its Second Step transitional housing facility, which provides domestic violence victims with housing, counseling, legal advocacy, and more. Human Options’ Second Step transitional housing facility opened in 1993 and provides victims with safe housing and services for up to six months. Services provided include case management, trauma informed counseling, legal advocacy, financial coaching, a children’s program, educational groups, employment assistance, linkage to resources at partner agencies, and assistance with obtaining permanent housing. Clients are often vulnerable, generally have low incomes, and have diverse ethnic backgrounds….

Human Options Volunteers to be Recognized at 2017 Spirit of Volunteerism Awards

Recognizing exemplary volunteer service since 1976, OneOC’s Spirit of Volunteerism Awards will honor Human Options volunteers on April 24th at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. “Our volunteers play an integral role in supporting the mission of our agency and we are so proud to congratulate them on receiving this special distinction,” said Maricela Rios-Faust, Chief Executive Officer. Family law attorney Melinda Gomez has been an integral member of our Pro Bono Committee, bringing two new volunteer attorneys into the fold who now conduct their own family law and immigration clinics on behalf of our clients. Each month she continues to provide free advice and counseling sessions to our legal advocacy…

The Business Case for Prevention of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence often hides in the shadows, far away from the workplace. Steve Churm, Chief Communications Officer for FivePoint and longtime Human Options supporter, makes the case that businesses are impacted financially and through lack of human capital in dealing with the devastating consequences of abusive relationships, in the latest issue of the Orange County Business Journal. Like a life-threatening disease, domestic violence is debilitating for the victim and costly for the employer. Steve’s op-ed illustrates how business often do not have programs or policies in place to assist a domestic violence victim and how organizations like Human Options can help. We are proud to recognize Steve as the 2017 Men in Motion…

Human Options Program Supervisor Named Women’s Policy Institute State Fellow

We are so pleased to congratulate, Sara Behmerwohld, our Legal Advocacy Program Supervisor, on being named to the 2016-2017 class of Women’s Policy Institute-State fellows. Run by the Women’s Foundation of California, WPI-State fellows are trained to become policy advocates and philanthropic leaders in a year-long program at our state capital. Since 2013, Sara has been the Legal Advocacy Program Supervisor at Human Options. Here, she works with legal advocates, pro bono attorneys, law enforcement and other community partners to ensure that survivors of domestic violence have access to the legal resources they need to heal from trauma. A well-versed and accomplished legal advocate, Sara first began her work in…

Human Options’ CEO Maricela Rios-Faust Receives CFRE

We are excited to congratulate Human Options’ CEO Maricela Rios-Faust on her newly awarded Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation. This certification demonstrates her extensive knowledge in fundraising and her commitment to the continued growth and sustainability of Human Options. This certification adds to her already impressive credentials. From her experience as Board President for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence to serving on the Advisory Board of the Orange County Women’s Health Project and co-chairing Orange County’s Death Review Team, we are proud to watch her expand Human Options’ collaborations, create new innovative programs and continue to partner with significant foundations, corporations and government agencies. Mrs. Rios-Faust’s strategic…

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#PledgePurple

Nearly three out of four Americans know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. Will you join us this October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and stand against DV? From financial and emotional to physical and sexual, domestic violence occurs in various forms and impacts our entire community. Together, we can break the cycle of abuse! It’s as easy as: 1. Wearing purple on October 20th to raise awareness for DV. Tag us on social media using hashtags #HumanOptions and #PledgePurple. 2. Requesting FREE educational presentations on domestic violence to educate your school, business or community group. 3. Downloading and sharing our printable pledge. Share our 24-hour hotline number at…

Human Options Awarded $15K Grant from Blue Shield of California Foundation

Designed to empower domestic violence service providers to better serve their communities, the Blue Shield of California Foundation has awarded Human Options a $15,000 grant to support its core services. Founded as a 24-hour crisis hotline and an emergency shelter, Human Options has grown to become a multi-service, countywide agency that provides safety and support at every stage, offering programs and services for children, teens, adults and seniors alike. “Human Options recognizes the need to provide safety outside our shelter walls and this generous grant will allow us to continue changing the landscape of domestic violence in Orange County,” said Maricela Rios-Faust, Chief Executive Officer. The funds will allow Human…

Costa Mesa Family Resource Center – A Sanctuary and a Community

Seeking to provide the community with a variety of health and social services in one centralized location, the Costa Mesa Family Resource Center (FRC) opened last summer at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living in Newport Beach. Through a partnership with Hoag and Families and Communities Together (FaCT), Human Options operates as the lead agency, working alongside Children’s Bureau, Raise Foundation, MOMs Orange County and Girls Inc. Their focus? Offering the community a sanctuary with access to domestic violence and prevention, educational development, counseling services and more. “What we’ve created is a shared purpose and a different way of looking at services across the spectrum,” said Maricela Rios-Faust, CEO of Human Options. To read more…

“Serious Fun” Raises $450,000 for Domestic Violence Programs

Thank you to everyone who attended Human Options’ Rooted with Love, An Evening of Serious Fun at the St. Regis Monarch Beach on Saturday, May 14. More than 400 guests honored our co-founder and longtime CEO Vivian Clecak with the 2016 Dove Award, all while raising $450,000! Because of you, we will be able to continue our mission of ending the cycle of domestic violence in Orange County. Attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception, awards program, videos, gourmet dinner, live auction and an after party with music and dancing. To view photos from our exciting event, please click here. We are truly grateful for the generous support of our sponsors, all those in attendance and…

News & Blog - Page 2 of 6 - Human Options

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