Did you know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month?

Reading through Commissioner Kafoury’s District 1 newsletter, I was reminded of the amazing organizations the Home Builders Foundation has partnered with in the past 5 years (see excerpt below).  We’ve built, remodeled, upgraded and repaired facilities for organizations like Bradley Angle House, Raphael House of Portland, Volunteers of America Oregon and Catholic Charities who all offer services to women and children suffering from the impact of domestic violence.Please, take a moment this month to reflect on what “home” means to you.  Take a moment to appreciate the survivors’ resiliency.  Take a moment to learn more about how you might help us help create a sense of home for families impacted by domestic violence or other life circumstances.Commissioner Deborah Kafoury’s Multnomah County District 1 newsletter – Oct 2010 reports:The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last Thursday to replace $60,000 in funding for domestic violence shelters that was recently cut by the state. I brought forward this request because I believe that we can not afford to lose this vital safety net for families.From 2004 through 2008, there were 36 deaths due to domestic violence in Oregon. In 2009, there was an unprecedented increase statewide in the number of domestic violence murders followed by suicides of the perpetrator, which resulted in 17 deaths last November and December alone.October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  I encourage you to find out more about the efforts of the Family Violence Coordinating Council, the Office of Domestic Violence here at Multnomah County, as well as organizations like Bradley Angle House, Raphael House and Volunteers of America Oregon and Catholic Charities that partner with the County to assist women and children suffering from the impact of domestic violence.