2009-01-08 22:47:02 -

Five Foundations - The Fieldstone Foundation, Pacific Life Foundation, Samueli Foundation, Ueberroth Family Foundation, and an anonymous foundation - are challenging the community of donors with grants totaling $125,000. The campaign is for a 2 to 1 match (each $100 will be worth $150), with the hope to raise a total of $250,000 in needed funds for Human Options: Alternatives

for Abused Women and their Children.


In times of economic distress the need for domestic violence programs goes up and donations go down. Crisis calls to Human Options' 24-hour hotline are already up 20 per cent.


Human Options' programs work. The agency conducts long-term research on the graduates of the emergency shelter and transitional housing programs. Over the past 27 years the agency has conducted four research projects done by independent university faculty. Each study showed that 90 per cent of graduates are violence free one year or more after program completion.


With continued support Human Options can also build a violence free future for our community through prevention programs for youth. Last year Human Options' prevention programs reached 22,000 students from kindergarten through college. The follow-up programs show that students are retaining and using the information.


Kim, a graduate of Human Options' programs, said: "Human Options was there to offer me safety from a man who swore he would "kill me first" rather than let me leave him. Human Options saved my life! The support I received has set a foundation for a new future."


"I have been incredibly fortunate to find my work at Human Options a passion, a purpose and a wonderful community" - says Vivian Clecak, Co-Founder and CEO of Human Options.


If you wish to donate to the challenge grant or learn more about Human Options' many programs and services please contact Darla Olson at dolson@humanoptions.org or (949) 737-5242 x317 or review the organization's website www.humanoptions.org.





Human Options

Darla Olson- Director of Development

dolson@humanoptions.org or (949) 737-5242 x317