City proclaims DV Awareness Month

Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman, front right, presents the October proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month to Tu Casa staff from left in front Jennifer Hanna-Victim Advocate with daughter Riley Bruchez, Michelle Resendiz-Prevention Specialist/Community Outreach Coordinator, Francisca Archuleta-Victim Advocate and Patricia Lara-Executive Director. Supporting the proclamation are from left in back City Councilors Michael Carson, Liz Hensley, David Broyles, Jan Vigil, Charles Griego and Kristina Daniel./Courier photo by Ruth Heide

ALAMOSA — “Thank you for what you do every day,” Alamosa City Councilor Kristina Daniel told representatives of Tu Casa when the City of Alamosa proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Daniel said many times she has referred people to Tu Casa, and with loving arms they welcomed them. “Thank you for the work you do protecting our families.”

City Councilor Liz Hensley also has referred people to Tu Casa, and they have come back and told her “what great things you have done,” and many people are in a better place because of Tu Casa’s efforts.

“It’s a great blessing to our community to have a program like yours to help,” Hensley said.

“We certainly support you,” added Councilman David Broyles.

Tu Casa Executive Director Patricia Lara thanked the city for its support. She said one of the recent offerings of Tu Casa is a support group for survivors where they can provide caring and support for each other because they understand what the others in the group have gone through. This has not been available before, she said.

“That’s exciting,” she said.

She added that the Children’s Advocacy Center continues to grow and see more children, which in a way is sad that there are children who are victims of sexual abuse, but the positive part of that is that they can come to the center and that they have been able to come forward so those who hurt them can be held accountable.

Some of the activities this month have included a lunch-learn, artwork posted all month at Starbucks and special times advocates will be at Starbucks to meet the public and answer questions. The next scheduled time will be 3-4 p.m. on October 25.