[PARTNER] ALLICE Kumpare ‘Proud’ to Stage 15th Annual Free from Violence
/
Junior Flores invites health fair attendees to 15th annual ALLICE Free from Violence.
On October 3, fellow members of ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment - the nonprofit team that engages individuals and organizations to share resources to promote healthy relationships at free events, and I will present our 15th annual Free from Violence 5 – 7:30 pm at the City Hall of Daly City. For the first time, officials will call the community to action in a municipality’s most sacred space. As always, a survivor of intimate partner violence will share her story to empower others.
I am proud to be among the 20-strong team responsible for the event.
For a decade until two years ago, I had known about ALLICE and the annual Free from Violence presentation and resource fairs that service organizations and nonprofits like my program Asian American Recovery Service – Health Right 360 encourage clients and participants to attend to gain education and awareness of dating and domestic violence specifically and family violence in general. Staged every October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Free from Violence is a unique event covering a subject matter not openly discussed in many communities, especially among Filipinos. I also knew about their annual spring program Our Family, Our Future focusing on elder care and elder abuse prevention in May, Older Americans Month.
Flores (back row center, wearing glasses) took his commitment to community service another level by joining ALLICE and received the outstanding ally award last year at their 15th anniversary reception. Consul Gen. Henry S. Bensurto Jr., fellow awardees Lloyd LaCuesta and Frances Dinglasan and guests of honor Clara and Julia Tempongko and Justin Nguyen, the son of Claire Joyce Tempongko, headed special guests at the event.
From afar I used to think the Kumpares & Kumares, as ALLICE members call themselves, give wonderful presentations. I felt those not present were missing out on valuable information.
In 2017, I was approached by the founder-executive director to sponsor that year’s Free from Violence. I gladly obliged, having access to resources to support the event. We provided food and volunteers to help with a variety of tasks, a memorable experience for our agency and staff. Again, we had agency participants attend along with friends and family we had invited.
That was the year that saw the explosion of the Me Too, Time’s Up and We’ve Said Enough movements, when many high-profile males were exposed for their worst behaviors toward women, prompting a challenge from a prominent Filipino American.
“To be a true ally, men must work to push away the harmful status quo and create a culture that is inclusive and safe for all. The dialogue taking place now is hopefully just the beginning. While they may also bring forward solutions, it is not women’s burden to solve this problem or to change men’s behavior,” Assembly Member Rob Bonta assigned responsibility to his gender in a commentary published by the Sacramento Bee: “Men, it rests squarely with us.”
The first FilAm elected to the California State Legislature and I apparently think alike.
The following year, I was asked to become a Kumpare: I was honored and I accepted. The timing was propitious: ALLICE was celebrating a milestone then. Last year I became a bona fide ALLICE member, I’m happy to say, on our 15th anniversary.
Since swearing in, I have learned more about domestic violence through trainings provided within the group. I’ve learned more about the history of ALLICE and its genesis back in 2003. Now I get to witness the intricate coordination involved in making the event a successful reality.
I was warmly welcomed; I felt very comfortable almost instantly at the very first meeting I attended. We had dinner first, breaking the ice. As I attended more meetings, I began deepening my understanding of intimate partner violence and the people behind ALLICE. Getting up close with them amazed me to see who was at the table. Our members represent multiple sectors and professions, and yet we come together as a collective group to talk about a delicate topic that is still considered taboo.
Being part of ALLICE Kumares and Kumpares is a fulfilling experience. To be honest I had some reservations at first not knowing how I would fit in and what I would be able to contribute. It was a little intimidating being around people who are on top of their professions or in their respective fields, who are well respected in their community. And yet members were familial and everyone enjoyed equal time and opportunity, to speak or question, employing non-violent communication techniques honed from within. No one is more important despite each one’s educational attainment or career achievements. Everyone volunteers their time, talent and treasure.
Some members have disclosed their own experiences with IPV and their personal connection with ALLICE. At one meeting, a Kumare disclosed her own battle with domestic violence and how it took several years before she opened up, looked up services or any kind of help. I responded by emphasizing that we need to do more outreach and serve more people; I was quickly reminded that is true, and even if we empower just one individual to seek out services, that would be a victory and make all our work worthwhile because we gave hope and possibly saved a life.
From the outside looking in, I had not fully grasped the commitment and passion poured into organizing ALLICE events that are always free and open to the public. Everyone owns their responsibilities, knowing the impact of each event on the lives of countless often voiceless populations.
I join Allen Capalla, Bettina Santos Yap, Blessy Valera, Cherie Querol Moreno, Edna Murray, Elsa Agasid, Flor Nicolas, Hanna Baluyot, Jei Africa, Jen Jimenez Wong, Joanne del Rosario, Jose Antonio, Leonard Oakes, Malou Aclan, Nan Santiago, Nellie Hizon, Ofie Albrecht, Paulita Lasola Malay, Mark Reburiano in applauding Daly City Mayor Ray Buenaventura, Vice Mayor Glenn Sylvester, Council Members Juslyn Manalo, Pamela DiGiovanni and Rod Daus-Magbual, Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr. and the Philippine Consulate General, and Jun & Tessie Madrinan Nenar and Flor Nicolas, and Armi Labitan and Tom Solinger for sponsoring our 15th annual Free from Violence. We enjoy the endorsement of San Mateo Supervisor David Canepa. We will feature the testimony of special guest speaker Colma Mayor Joanne del Rosario, a longtime Kumare.
We shall commend the Mater Dolorosa Knights of Columbus and Mater Dolorosa Legion of Mary for outstanding contribution to this year’s spring elder abuse prevention event.
Donor allies Positively Filipino, Philippine News Today, Inquirer.net, Lucky Chances, Moonstar, Mater Dolorosa Knights of Columbus, Asian American Recovery Services - HealthRight360, Holy Child & St. Martin Episcopal Church, Kumpare Dr. Jei Africa, Kaiser Permanente Filipino Association, Jim McGuire/ Best Western Plus Grosvenor Hotel, Royalty Auto Collision Center, Edd Palomar, Baby & Boy Pastries, Cafe Savini, Noah’s Bagels, Hapag Filipino, Kuya’s Asian Cuisine, Fort McKinley, Perla Ibarrientos, Ed & Lydia Pomposo, and Joaquin Miguel & Matias Christopher Moreno are sharing resources to mount our presentation.
We have invited community partners AARS – Health Right 360, Asian Women’s Shelter, Bay Area Legal Aid, Catholic Charities Immigration Services, CORA, Daly City Partnership/HART, EDAPT, FALEO, Freedom House, Filipino Senior Peer Counseling/Peninsula Family Service, Got Wheels!/Peninsula Family Service, HICAP, HPSM, Holy Child and St. Martin Episcopal Church, La Casa de las Madres, Legal Aid Society of San Mateo, Office of San Mateo County Supervisor Canepa, Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, PNANC, PBRC, Rape Trauma Center, StarVista and The Keller Center to deploy representatives to inform attendees of their services and programs to foster healthy and safe interaction in the home and beyond.
My hope is that more men attend, stand up and be an ally for safe homes and communities. I’m living testament to the positive impact of hearing a survivor’s story.
Anastacio Flores, Jr.
ALLICE Kumpare Anastacio “Junior” Flores Jr. is program director at Asian American Recovery Services – Health Right 360, established to reduce the impact and incidence of substance use in the Bay Area through. programs serving youth, adults, and families, and are located in San Francisco, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties. He is first a loving husband and father.