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Vera's Open Arms - VOA
The specific purpose of Vera's Open Arms, (VOA) Corporation is to provide an environment of safe refuge from domestic violence and abuse with the support systems of 24-hour crisis intervention, housing, education, counseling and information and referral services that empowered communities to live free from domestic violence and abuse.
Vera's Open Arms was incorporated in 2004 with a 501(c)3 status. The organization was founded by Kimberly Haynesworth and is located in Southern California area. The organization structure consists of three board members including Kimberly Haynesworth. The Founder. There are three officers. The current staff will consists of an Executive Director, program coordinator, office manager, clerical support and four house managers.
As the founder of Vera's Open Arms, I felt the need and responsibility to help women and children in harms way. The traumatic experience of losing my mother at the hand of my own father compelled me to form a corporation that would assist women in similar situations.
With over 30 years of personal and professional knowledge and experience between the board members/staff, the following are the names and titles of the bi-lingual/bi-cultural core staff/board members of Vera's Open Arms:
- Kimberly Haynesworth - Founder/Executive Director
- Lydia Hernandez - Vice-President/Assistant
- Sherrell Benton - Secretary/Project Manager
Domestic Violence is a pattern of abuse and controlling behavior through which the abuser seeks power over their victim. Domestic violence occurs across the nation regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth and geography. Domestic violence is often underreported in varying modalities/community in most case this is a worldwide epidemic. At the present time, San Bernardino County has a shortage of emergency to the effect that women and children are not receiving immediate services and housing and being turned away. Many are forced to stay in an abusive and dysfunctional home environment which has devastating lifelong effects and consequences. VOA would serve as a bridge for the gap for over saturated emergency housing and lack of trained staff and supportive 24-hour crisis intervention with transitional housing, education, counseling and support. As an extension of our scope of services, one of our plans is the development of a multi-faceted service referral link for continued care and support with transitional housing, education and counseling for the women and their children.
The programs consist of a new residential safe haven for women and children who have been physically, mentally, sexually, and emotionally abused in the Southern California area. A 24-hour trained staff are available to be supportive and resourceful as special needs arise. Additional services will encompass child care referrals, resources for employment and job skills development, counseling services for all family members. Program implementation activities will be conducted by a Program Coordinator and volunteer community members impacted directly by domestic violence and professionals.
