CRT President and CEO Lena Rodriquez ( far right) and Joane Morgis (left) Tara Spain(2nd from left) and Joelle Murchinson from Travelers lead the Tee Off For Women Golf Tournament,
In one of the few all-women golf tournaments in the state, more 100 golfers hit the links last week to show their support for domestic violence survivors and the programs that assist them. Together, golfers and sponsors brought in $33,000 during the event. Proceeds will be divided evenly between Community Renewal Team and Interval House programs that aim to prevent domestic violence and assist survivors.
Interestingly, the tournament happened to be played on the same day that the 2014 Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee report made a series of recommendations to strengthen communication among agencies that come into contact with victims. This year alone saw 10 deaths caused by the hands of an intimate partner.
CRT President and Chief Executive Officer Lena Rodriguez called the statistics staggering as she stated that across the country three women are killed each day. “Events like this allow us to raise awareness along with critical funds that allow us and Interval House to keep doors open to women who come to us when they face a crisis,” she said. “’Tee Off’ also provides a great opportunity for women to help other women. And when that happens -when we support each other – great things happen.”
Raquel Rivera, Aetna, Yvonne Martin, Otis Elevators, Yvette Melendez, Hartford Hospital and Diane Alverio, CTLaitnoNews.com
Carmen Sierra, (center) with Rockville Bank’s Valerie Duncan (l) and Heather Loranger
Among the Latina golfers supporting the event: Yvette Melendez, Vice-President Government and Community Affairs, Hartford Hospital; Yvonne Martin, Director, Strategic Accounts Otis Elevator Company; UTC; Raquel Rivera Hutton, VP Cost Optimization -Finance, Aetna; Carmen Sierra, Assistant Treasurer , City of Hartford; Raquel Santiago, CRT and Diane Alverio, Publisher, CTLatinoNews.com.
The most compelling moment of the day came as Diana, a Farmington resident and a former client of Interval House, shared her story of escaping abuse, driving hundreds of miles with her three children and finding a safe place with Interval House, Connecticut’s largest emergency shelter for women and children victims of domestic violence. Today, she is focused on a career, finishing her Bachelor’s Degree and enjoying a life with her children where she no longer feels afraid.
Community Renewal Team’s domestic violence support programs help families leaving a shelter or violent relationship to establish safe and successful lives by providing transitional housing and support services through CRT’s intensive case management system. Assistance comes in many forms depending on the needs of the individual. Often, help offered includes: security deposit assistance, first month’s rent, subsidized food, clothing and transportation. Housing assistance continues to allow survivors to move in a safe, secure environment where they are able to function independently and at a higher capacity to meet their daily needs.