[PARTNER] Preventing domestic abuse through community education
/By day, Allen Capalla of Daly City provides executive support for a venture capitalist in Foster City, her employer for almost two decades. Similarly, South San Francisco resident Elsa Agasid greets the sunrise preparing to attend to her mostly-elderly patients as a family nurse practitioner. No different, Nellie Hizon treks early from her home in San Francisco to start the morning as paralegal at a law office in Palo Alto.
Beyond the workplace, the three women invest time and talent to their individual concerns: Our Lady of Mercy for Capalla, president of the Daly City parish Legion of Mary; San Mateo County Commission on Aging for new Commissioner Agasid, and the Simbang Gabi movement for Hizon, who for many years was vice chair of the San Francisco Archdiocesan Council.
But every few months, the trio’s paths converge toward a common objective. And next month, October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they will don their signature shawl designed by renowned Philippine couturier Renee Salud for Kumares, members of the nonprofit ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment.
As 2018 officers, they will lead in staging the all-volunteer team’s 14th Annual Free
From Violence health fair and presentation 5-7:30 pm, October 12, at the Colma Community Center. The Town of Colma, the Philippine Consulate General and Asian American Recovery Services-Healthright 360 are principal sponsors of the free and open-to-the-public event.
Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr., San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa and Colma Mayor Rae Gonzalez will call the community to action by learning about the issue and taking responsibility for the safety of their neighborhoods. Public and private resource providers will consult about their free services.
Consul General Henry Bensurto, Jr.
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa
Colma Mayor Rae Gonzalez. Consul Gen. Henry S. Bensurto, San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa and Colma Mayor Rae Gonzalez will lead to call the action against intimate partner and family abuse.
Media icons Lloyd LaCuesta and Frances Dinglasan and Asian American Recovery Services - Healthright 360 will receive commendation for outstanding contribution to the ALLICE mission.
ALLICE names media icons Lloyd LaCuesta and Frances Dinglasan Hall, and AARS-Healthright 360 program manager Junior Flores as 2018 Outstanding Allies. (Photo by Voltaire Yap)
From Grief to Hope
Highlighting the program is the testimony of Clara and Julia Tempongko, mother and sister of Claire Joyce Tempongko, who was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend on Oct. 22, 2000. They will share their story of grief, healing and hope. They turned their loss into purpose by speaking up so that others - survivors, perpetrators and providers - may know how to get and give help.
Clara and Julia Tempongko will share their story of grief-turned-to-advocacy. Photo by Cherie M. Querol Moreno
The event opens with the Family & Health Care Resource Provider Fair at 5 pm, with some 15 public and private agencies available to discuss their free services with attendees. The program proper begins at 6 pm., when consultations will be suspended and resume at 7 pm after the program.
It will culminate with the recitation of the Pledge to help Domestic Violence penned by ALLICE for their premier presentation in 2004.
The Kumares & Kumpares, as ALLICE members call themselves, found each other in 2003 as a component of CORA, the only domestic violence service agency in San Mateo County. Together they engaged individuals and groups to collaborate by sharing resources to mount events to educate the public about domestic violence: why it happens, how it happens, and how to get help in such situations.
In 2009, the Kumares & Kumpares went independent and adopted the name of their honorary chair, pioneer organizer, Alice Bulos. Sans funding, they managed to sustain their objectives of 2 events every year. In the spring, they highlight interaction with elders; in the fall, they focus on intimate partnerships.
The cause called concerned citizens of every background.
Venture capital executive assistant Allen Capalla, AARS-Healthright 360 program director Anastacio “Junior” Flores, marketing executive-turned-Baby & Boy Pastries chef-owner Bettina Santos Yap, journalist/community educator/County Commission on Aging Commissioner Cherie Querol Moreno, Alameda County claim examiner Edna Murray, nurse practitioner/ County Commission on Aging Commissioner Elsa Agasid, Marin County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Director Dr. Jei Africa, Fred Finch Services marriage and family therapist Jennifer Jimenez Wong, Bank of the West Vice President Jose Antonio, Colma Vice Mayor Joanne Del Rosario, Holy Child & St. Martin Episcopal Church Pastor Rev. Leonard Oakes, neighborhood activist Lina Susbilla, Kaiser care coordinator/registered nurse Malou Aclan, Rev. Mark Reburiano, Kaiser marriage and family therapist Nan Santiago, certified public accountant/paralegal Nellie Hizon, community advocate Ofie Albrecht, marriage and family therapist/life coach Paulita Lasola Malay, advertising and promotions principal Sarah Jane Ilumin, and health commissioner Teresa Ferrer complete the current team.
Anastacio “Junior” Flores
Longtime and new allies Philippine News, Philippines Today, Positively Filipino, Inquirer.net, Holy Child & St. Martin Episcopal Church, Lucky Chances, Moonstar, Cafe Savini, Noah's Bagels, Hapag Filipino, Kuya's Asian Cuisine, Guy Guerrero, Ray Satorre, Francis Espiritu, Kumare Elsa Agasid, Baby & Boy Pastries, Kumare Ofie Albrecht, Bernard Simon Jr., Becca Schatz, Joaquin & Matias Moreno are donating resources to stage the event.
A raffle drawing will take place to reward attendees for their participation. For more information visit www.allicekumares.com.
Cherie M. Querol Moreno is a Commissioner with the San Mateo County Commission on Aging and executive director of nonprofit ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment. She is editor at large of Philippine News, columnist for Philippines Today USA and contributor to Rappler and GMA News Online.
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