How your donations help AVDA support victims of domestic abuse

All this month, CBS12 News has been highlighting the life-saving work of one Palm Beach County nonprofit called AVDA, which stands for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse. We've told you the stories of survivors, and introduced you to volunteers who work around the clock to help survivors find safety, and start self-sufficient lives. 

Right now, AVDA can use your help, as they work to match an anonymous donor who pledged $40,000, if they can raise that amount or more. 

As AVDA President and CEO Pam O'Brien explained, every dollar makes a big difference in their work to help survivors and prevent domestic violence in the community. 

"I'm amazed at the number of people affected by domestic violence," O'Brien said. "When you hear 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men report, I think everyone knows someone who goes through this." 

A critical service AVDA provides is a hotline that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the last year alone, the hotline received more than 2,000 calls. It also receives text messages. It is often the first step a victim takes to get out of danger. 

When an AVDA advocate answers the call or text, they can assist with the caller's unique needs. Sometimes they need advice making a safety plan. Other times they need shelter, transportation, and legal resources. AVDA can connect them to all of it, and it starts with calling 1-800-355-8547.

AVDA also operates an emergency shelter in an undisclosed location that has 64 beds. Last year, that shelter housed 263 people, including 114 children. 

See also: AVDA's Committed Men program aims to redefine masculinity, reduce violence

Board member Tami Babij has visited the shelter, and described it as an inspiring place of community and healing. 

"I think the thing that sticks out the most to me is seeing and interacting with the children in the shelter.," Babij said. "Throwing a birthday party and some of them have never had a birthday party. And maybe getting a new pair of shoes for school and feeling like they fit in. Being able to see them thrive, ultimately, and seeing a smile on their face is why I’ll always support AVDA."

AVDA's work has two goals: to support survivors and prevent domestic abuse in the community. To that end, they hold trainings and estimate that they have educated more than 11,000 people. 

For board member Beverly Cordner, working with AVDA is something she does in a close relative's honor. That relative was the victim of domestic abuse, and it affected her for many years. Now, Cordner says she sees how services can turn a person's life around. 

"I interacted with one survivor years ago., and there was something she said that stuck with me," Cornder recalls. "She said at the time the abuser was her husband and he always told her she was nothing. That she would never amount to anything. And that stuck in her head. And she always felt she would never do anything. Being at AVDA and getting counseling really helped her self esteem and helped her become the women she knew she could be, away from her abuser." 

To take part in AVDA's fundraising campaign, called the Purple Pajama Party, visit this link. The campaign to raise more than $40,000 and match an anonymous donor runs until November 15th. 

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