Jesse & Melissa’s Story By Donna Mroz (Director, Domestic Abuse Initiative) We met Jesse 6 years ago when his mother Melissa, an artist, came to the domestic violence support group at the police station. Melissa was a mess when she first came, sad, and depressed all the time. She left an abusive relationship where she […]
Dear volunteers… from Shelby Bell and Team of the THRIVE Program THRIVE volunteers are intentional, dedicated, and sacrificial. Stepping into a relationship with our young adults is not always easy, but you all have jumped with two feet into the messiness of life with us. Thank you for being willing to not just dedicate your […]
From Donna Mroz, Director of Domestic Abuse Initiative: A shout out to Tim Muehlhoff for coming monthly to Fullerton PD domestic abuse support group. He is teaching us physical self-defense as well as self-defense against emotional abuse. For Valentine’s Day, his students came and gave all of the woman roses, knowing how much it would […]
He was betrayed by intimate physical contact from his close friend. He was beaten, blamed, and forced to answer why he was being victimized. His identity and future was taken. His name was tarnished. He was forcefully stripped naked, His abusers laughed as they whipped Him.
Domestic Abuse is a pattern of behavior used by one partner over another to establish and maintain power and control. This includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, psychological, economical and spiritual abuse as well as stalking or cyber stalking behavior. Both men and women experience domestic abuse, but at this point, our efforts and classes are […]
Everything was ruined. Twice a month, Pastor Garret brings a group of teens from the Placentia Presbyterian Church to OC United where I get to teach them about relationships, abuse, and healing. This past week, we gathered to make valentines specifically for women in the Sheepfold Shelter for Women and Children. We talked about how […]
About fifteen women gather each week during the evening in a secure location to learn, grieve, heal, and encourage one another. The women are able to meet through the efforts and partnership of OC United and the Fullerton Police Department. This group is the first of its kind, and began meeting in September 2016. While […]
Amanda began volunteering with our Domestic Abuse initiative earlier this year. She assists Donna at our Monday night “Love Doesn’t Have to Hurt” Class but has also been learning and participating as well. Now she is beginning to lead and teach! Donna Mroz says that Amanda has brought a lot of hope to the women and even though she is young, she […]
“Three times a week I teach a class at the Anaheim Lighthouse Treatment Center. The Lighthouse is a residential treatment center for both men and women breaking their addictions to drugs and alcohol. My classes there focus on a combination of art therapy and teaching. It always amazes me to see how grateful the women are […]
“One of the highlights of my week is my class with a group of teen girls from Crittenton Residential Treatment Center. In this class I talk about building and maintaining healthy relationships. Some of the things we discuss are what to look for in a relationship, the importance of character, and how to exit a bad relationship. […]