BILTMORE AREA PARTNERSHIP LUNCHEON
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011
RESTAURANT: BLACK CHILE MEXICAN GRILL AT BILTMORE FASHION PARK
GUEST: BETH RODRIGUEZ, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR FOR THE SOJOURNER CENTER

Our members/attendees at the luncheon made donations of clothing, toys, toiletries and money to the Sojourner Center

HISTORY OF A CAUSE

HOW IT STARTED: Sojourner Center was founded in 1977 by a group of visionaries who believed women and children needed a safe place to live free from domestic violence. Since the time, Sojourner Center has grown from a single 28-bed shelter in a dilapidated building to three campus sites providing an array of comprehensive domestic violence services. Currently, the agency has a capacity of 280 emergency shelter beds and operates 32 transition apartments.

MISSION: Overcoming the impact of domestic violence, one life at a time.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE MISSION: Sojourner Truth, a slave turned activist and abolitionist during the time of the American Civil War, traveled the eastern United States spreading her message of non-violence and reform. Her given name was Isabella Baumfree, but following her emancipation she changed her name to Sojourner Truth, believing herself to be on a journey - a sojourn - to only speak the truth to ass she would meet.

PROGRAMS: Sojourner Center's goal is to provide shelter, as well as promote empowerment and transformation for every woman and child in need of domestic violence services. Ongoing programs for survivors include: emergency shelter and transitional housing at three campuses, food and clothing, safety planning, domestic violence awareness and education classes, a licensed child care and pre-school, 24-hour crisis hotline and referral services, employment and education assistance, and lay-legal advocacy.

To Learn More and Information On How To Get Involved go to: www.sojournercenter.org.