For Immediate Release: 8/3/07

Naples, FL – The Shelter for Abused Women & Children will be hosting activities throughout the month of October as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.“This is our way of helping raise awareness about the multi-faceted issues involved in intimate partner abuse, as well as educating the public about the life-saving programs and services the Shelter offers to victims of domestic violence from across Collier County, Bonita Springs and Lehigh Acres,” notes Director of Programs Jan Christiansen. “We hope that our family, friends, coworkers and neighbors will join us in helping break the cycle of abuse here in our own communities.”

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an outgrowth from the first Day of Unity hosted by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in October of 1981 and was first observed in October of 1987. In 1989, the US Congress passed the first National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation and continues to pass the legislation each year in an effort to bring life-saving attention to the many and varied issues that comprise domestic violence/intimate partner abuse.As part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Shelter for Abused Women & Children will host:

• Educating with Emery Boards at Publix locations throughout Collier County on Sunday, September 30, 2007, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to kick-off Domestic Violence Awareness Month (locations to be announced).
• Cell Phone Drive throughout the month individuals and businesses will be able to drop their new and gently-used cell phones off at locations throughout Collier County so that they can be recycled and used by Shelter program participants for emergency 911 calls only. Locations include Options Thrift Shoppe, Starbucks throughout Naples, the Neighborhood Health Clinic and more than 50 other sites (call for more information: 239-775-3862).
• Children’s March on Main the Shelter’s Immokalee Outreach Office will host children’s activities from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 29, 2007, followed by a police-escorted Children’s March on Main Street from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Details to follow).

To learn more about the Shelter for Abused Women & Children’s National Domestic Violence Month campaign, including becoming a drop off location for the cell phone drive and/or taking an active role in Educating with Emery Boards, please call 239-775-3862, or email to info@naplesshelter.org.

For details on the Children’s March on Main in Immokalee, please call the Immokalee Outreach Office at 239-657-5617.

For more information about the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, programs and services, please call 239-775-3862, or visit the Shelter’s website at www.naplesshelter.org.

###

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children helps adult and child victims and survivors of domestic violence through safety, intervention and support; educates the public about domestic violence; and advocates for social change against domestic violence. For more information, please contact us at 239-775-3862, or visit us online at: www.naplesshelter.org

Media Contact: Mary Ann T. Green, mgreen@naplesshelter.org, 239-775-3862, ext. 211