Our practice here at UUSM is to dedicate half of our non-pledge Sunday offering to support the life of our church and the other 50% to organizations doing work in the world that advances our Unitarian Universalist values. This month, half of our Sunday Offering will go to Sojourn Domestic Violence Services, a local organization providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence; and empowering communities with the knowledge and support to build healthy relationships. What does Sojourn offer?
Shelter Services: Sojourn’s domestic violence shelter programs offer crisis and transitional housing to individuals and families. The shelters provide survivors with a safe place to live, supportive services, counseling, childcare, legal services, and more.
Support Services: A confidential crisis hotline (310-264-6644) offers service referrals for domestic violence (DV) survivors, including emergency shelter, housing, legal aid, substance abuse treatment, counseling, and more. The walk-in center, open weekdays, offers case management, legal services, housing navigation, and support groups.
Legal Services: referrals, assistance with restraining orders, support navigating the DV-related housing environment, court accompaniment, and more.
Outreach and Education: trainings, technical assistance, advocacy events, and educational resources for clients, their families, Sojourn staff, organizational partners, and the community at-large. By providing spaces in which the voices of survivors can be elevated, Sojourn helps to provide skills and education to local community members.
Since 1977, Sojourn has been meeting the emergency and long-term needs of thousands of domestic violence survivors each year. From its early beginnings as Sojourn Services for Battered Women and Their Children, they have served the families as part of the Ocean Park Community Center team. Since 2016, Sojourn Domestic Violence Services has been a program of The People Concern and has continued to evolve and adapt.
Thank you for your generous support of our beloved community and the Sojourn Domestic Violence Services. To give $10 right now, text “$10 GCC” (or another amount) to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.) Or visit uusm.org/donate.
