MENDOCINO Co., 8/28/19 — Project Sanctuary, an organization which provides advocacy and support services for domestic violence survivors across Mendocino County, holds an benefit every year — but this year, the fundraising event has taken on a new importance, as the organization is facing cuts in grant funding of $160,000. These funds typically go to support programs including domestic violence assistance such as free counseling and legal advocacy, rape crisis support including a 24/7 crisis line, and transitional housing for survivors.
The annual “P.S., We Love You” event includes a seasonal summer dinner, a live auction hosted by Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman, and then music to close out the evening. The event takes place on September 7, at Barra of Mendocino, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets at $70 and are available at the Mendocino Book Company. You can also learn more about the resources Project Sanctuary offers, as well as support them through a direct donation, on their website.
Here’s the event’s Facebook page, and all the details from Project Sanctuary below:
In Light of Budget Cuts, Project Sanctuary Encourages Community to Attend Annual Fundraiser ‘P.S. We Love YOU!’
[Ukiah, CA – August 28, 2019] Project Sanctuary, a domestic violence and rape crisis center serving all of Mendocino County, will hold its annual fundraising event, P.S. We Love YOU!, on the evening of Saturday, September 7th from 5:30-9:00 pm at Barra of Mendocino located in Redwood Valley. A sold out event every year, the event takes on new meaning following a number of recent, significant cuts to program funding.
“We are a mandated provider of services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Mendocino County, and, as such, we are mostly funded through government grants,” said Executive Director Dina Polkinghorne. “Those grants were cut by $160,000 in total for FY 19-20, which is a substantial and unsettling reduction for a small nonprofit like ours.” “The cuts were totally unanticipated,” she continued. “The cuts in grant funding will go on to directly effect our Domestic Violence Assistance Program, our Rape Crisis Program, and our Transitional Housing Program, which is particularly heartbreaking and will result in some clients losing their housing. Transitional housing is a key element in avoiding recidivism and breaking the cycle of violence for survivors and their kids once and for all.”
The evening will include an organic, late summer dinner created by Chef Leslie Williams at Good Earth Kitchen, a hosted bar, and Sheriff Tom Allman will return to host the live auction, which boasts many exclusive and highly sought after auction items. “We have several getaway packages, which include an ocean view room at The Heritage House Resort & Spa located on the Mendocino Coast and a four bedroom lake view cabin at Leonard Lake Reserve,” said board member and attorney, Ashley Burrell. “In addition, we are grateful to our Anderson Valley donors, who have kindly donated a number of exclusive Anderson Valley experiences this year, including dinner at the Boonville Hotel and unique wine experiences throughout the Anderson Valley.”
After dinner and the live auction, Top Secret Band will get you off your feet to dance the night away.
Iris Padgett, Chair of the Project Sanctuary Board of Directors, believes ‘PS We Love YOU!’ is an ideal way for supporters to help with the funding shortfalls and have a lovely night out at the same time. “It’s a win-win all around,” said Padgett. “After almost four decades of doing this work, Project Sanctuary is a solid nonprofit that’s easy to get behind. They keep people alive. They provide emergency shelter. They help victims of domestic violence obtain restraining orders to prevent further acts of violence. They provide prevention education in the schools and so much more. I really encourage folks to come out and support PS at this event.”
Lia Patterson, a local realtor and Project Sanctuary board member, spoke about community involvement in support of survivors of abuse. “The clients we serve and their children are some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Project Sanctuary provides a bridge for our clients between a life filled with violence and pain, to a place of peace for themselves and their families. If Project Sanctuary is the bridge, the community is the support beams under the bridge. We are all in this together.”
This year’s ‘PS We Love YOU!’ sponsors are Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, Community First Credit Union, Frey Vineyards, Mendocino Community Health Clinics ‘Care for Her,’ Barra of Mendocino, State Senator Mike McGuire, Assemblymember Jim Wood, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Fowler Subaru, and KWNE. Individual sponsors include Kathleen Bingham, Tamara & Matthew Alaniz, and Sergio Fuentes.
Tickets are $70 and can be purchased at the Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah. For more information, please contact Project Sanctuary at 462-9196.
Project Sanctuary, Inc is a private, not-for-profit organization with the mission is to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault in Mendocino County through advocacy, crisis response, community collaboration, education, and shelter. Founded in 1977, Project Sanctuary assists over 2,000 clients annually and is supported by state and local funds and contributions from individual donors.
