Category: Uncategorized

Immigration and Domestic Violence

Posted on February 27, 2017 by - BF NEWS, Uncategorized

Trump’s new executive action has swept the country causing many people to be put in distressing positions. The Trump administration’s executive order for a temporary travel ban on immigrants not only contributes to the false stereotypes but has caused mass pain and fear for people all around the world. Immigration rights and issues have been a longstanding battle within the government. Abuse is often exerted through power and control due to victim’s immigration status. Becky’s Fund, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, and many other allies of victims of domestic violence recognize the unique issues that immigrants and refugees face when it comes to reporting domestic violence. However, recent policy changes including the travel ban have made reporting abuse increasingly difficult and frightening for immigrant victims.

Trump’s ability to defund sanctuary cities and further punish organizations and cities by withholding money and support affects many immigrants around the country. It is possible that the Trump administration can cut off DOJ programs, domestic violence grants, and violence against women grants. Many immigrant victims find support and safety from programs that the Trump administration has decided to defund.

Immigrants are already suffering emotional trauma from the recent policy changes by the President and his administration. The Muslim ban has affected thousands of Americans and their families. A country that many had once called home and thought they were safe in has become a threat to their education, jobs, and family life. The fight for immigrant abuse victims to have the right to live an abuse-free life has been a mission of ours and many. It is time to support our neighbors and community by taking action keeping up with the current issues that our country faces today.

As Americans, we have the right and access to contact our members of Congress and demand to know what they are doing to oppose the policies that are being issued by the Trump administration. Call or email your state officials as well. You are not limited to members of Congress to educate yourself and get more information. You can contact your governors and mayors and simply ask, “what are you doing to protect our immigrants and refugees that are victims of abuse and of the current ban policy?”

You can also reach out to anyone you know that may be affected by these policies. A neighbor, coworker, friend, or a parent/child from your school. Ask what you can do and let them know they have your support. Similarly, you can also reach out to your local Islamic center or Mosque and ask what support your community can offer. Donating money to nonprofit organizations that work with and support immigrant and refugees in your area or around the world is an amazing way to contribute and take action. Consider supporting organizations such as the ACLU, International Rescue Committee, Council on American Islamic Relations, and even Becky’s Fund. These are just a few of the ways that you can contribute and take action towards this international issue. We must work together to act as a community and slowly create a safer and healthier environment for the members of our communities.

Becky’s Fund Welcomes Amanda

Posted on January 3, 2017 by - BF NEWS, Uncategorized

Hola! My name is Amanda Paulino. I was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, but I recently moved to DC after graduating from college! This May, I got my Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.

Coming from the Dominican Republic, I was raised in a society heavily marked by machismo, in which men felt like they could do whatever they pleased with their spouses because they felt entitled to them. Women dying at the hands of their significant others, unfortunately, is a common occurrence. I have always wanted to make a positive change in others’ lives: When I was eight, I told my third-grade class I wanted to be a women’s rights activist when I grew up. My interest in working with survivors of intimate partner abuse stems from my belief that each and every survivor has the capacity to break the cycle and transform their lives. I am here because I want to make a difference: I want to educate others and change the way they think, and I want to change lives for the better.

I hope that this internship gives me the knowledge and insight required to work at a similar program back home. While I can recall various programs in the past that sought to bring awareness to domestic violence, none of them have been particularly successful. Once I gain the experience required, I hope to change the dialogue in Santo Domingo.

2016 Walk This Way Press Release

Posted on December 12, 2016 by - BF NEWS, Uncategorized

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***MEDIA ALERT***
Vernon Davis, Pierre Garçon, Otto Porter Jr., Kelly Oubre Jr., Ali Krieger and more join Becky’s Fund at 8th annual Walk This Way fashion show
Local athletes stand up as role models to break the cycle of domestic violence

Washington, D.C. (December 9, 2016) — Last night, domestic violence prevention nonprofit Becky’s Fund hosted its 8th annual “Walk This Way” charity fashion show at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. The charity fashion event featured clothing from classic upscale American designer Paul Stuart and women’s designer Alex Teih, worn by D.C.-area pro athletes, including Washington Redskins players Vernon Davis, Pierre Garçon, Chris Baker, Arie Kouandjio and Nick Sundberg, Washington Wizards stars Otto Porter Jr., Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ian Mahinmi, United States Women’s National Soccer team’s Ali Krieger and Crystal Dunn, D.C. United’s Bill Hamid and Marcelo Sarvas, former NFL stars Dhani Jones, Gary Clark, John Booty and Brandon Frye and former U.S. Olympian Giuseppe Lanzone. The female models were styled by One80 Salon and Kingsley Model and Management.

Read the complete press release here.

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Cigars Under the Stars

Posted on October 10, 2016 by - BF NEWS, Uncategorized

On October 7, Rueben and Shivani Dhingra Bajaj hosted an intimate Cigars and Whiskey reception at their beautiful Potomac estate to introduce guests from NY, MD, VA and DC to the amazing work Becky’s Fund is doing to support victims of domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence that passes from generation to generation.

Against a beautiful garden backdrop, these new supporters of Becky’s Fund heard a compelling story from a victim, transformed into a survivor, and encouragement from a former NFL player and mentor to the high school athletes in the Men of Code Program, created by Becky’s Fund and recognized by the White House, the DOJ and ESPN as a model approach to engage young men and boys in the struggle to end domestic and dating violence.

This reception was one of the preliminary events leading up to the 2016 Annual Walk This Way Fashion Event to be held on December 9th at the historic Andrew Mellon Auditorium in DC. Chaired by Shivani Dhingra Bajaj, 2016 Walk This Way will certainly be the must-attend-event of the season for the glamorous and socially responsible in the DMV. Tickets and tables can be purchased at wtwevent.com. Becky’s Fund would like to thank the attendees at the Cigars and Whiskey reception for their time and support, Arian Castañeda for providing the amazing Castaneda cigars, Brian Rayford with walkaboutmedia.us for photographing the event, our volunteers, Erik M. Hicks and the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, for their event support, and Shivani and Rueben Bajaj for opening up their gorgeous home. We look forward to seeing you on December 9th for 2016 Walk This Way!

Becky’s Fund Welcomes Haleluya

Posted on September 21, 2016 by - BF NEWS, Uncategorized

My name is Haleluya Demeke. I am currently acting director of a budding non-profit, the Kebede Gebremariam Institute, and studying Business Finance in college.

I was born and raised in Ethiopia: an openly, and often disparagingly, patriarchal society with foreseeably damning results on a young girl’s view of the world and where she fits in. Domestic abuse was not only accepted in family homes—it was commended. Coming from such a skewed environment has debilitated many men and women in my country by setting a twisted norm for “solving” household squabbles. I was one of the thankful few to leave the country, enter the United States, and come to see a different standard of my preconceived “norm.” My migration was the catalyst to understanding what most victims of intimate partner abuse feel, display and hide.

Becky’s Fund is an organization that works towards empowering victims of intimate partner abuse by equipping them with the means necessary to break free from the shackles of their unhealthy relationship. My experiences, growing up, have led me to have unwavering passion towards aiding victims of intimate partner abuse. This is why I am excited to embark on the road to recovery with Becky’s Fund—to ascertain that fewer victims have to feel, display and hide the symptoms of their abuse.

Becky’s Fund Welcomes Riya

Posted on August 22, 2016 by - BF NEWS, Uncategorized

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My name is Riya Thekdi, I am currently a graduate student at GW studying forensic science. I love to explore new places, and look forward to getting to know DC.

Becky’s Fund actively works to advocate, gain awareness, and educate victims and prior abusers. By the organization’s acknowledgment of the nuances and cultural influences involved with crime, better solutions are implemented. This insightful way of approaching solutions is why I am interested in working with this organization.

In the future, I hope I will be able to build a career with my forensic science degree. The knowledge I gain from this internship, such as current issues and legal issues, will teach me to react better as a professional.

Read About Clarissa’s Experience with Becky’s Fund

Posted on August 8, 2016 by - BF NEWS, Uncategorized

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My time at Becky’s Fund has given me invaluable skills and experiences that I will be able to take with me as I progress into my professional career. Perhaps my favorite experience from my internship was leading the Becoming Your Own Heroine workshop. When I was a young girl, I had no one to talk to about the questions I had in regards to sex, consent, dating, and sexual assault. Lack of education led to a lot of misinformation and feelings of shame on my part, which shaped my adolescent years. Being able to create open, candid dialogues with these girls meant a lot to me. As I lead the workshop, I saw my younger self in each and everyone of the girls. I am a firm believer that one of the best ways to change our cultural attitudes is through education and outreach. I’m proud to say that I was able to make a difference.

In addition, I also worked on the Take a Stand, Make a Splash swimsuit fashion show fundraiser event. During the summer, I reached out to Lisa Opie of Vizcaya Swimwear, a fellow VCU alum, who agreed to donate her swimwear line to our event. Lisa’s interests intersected with our mission at Becky’s Fund. As a bullying victim, she rose above the negativity and eventually started a women’s empowerment blog. After contacting her, she even decided to feature Becky Lee on her blog. It was truly an honor putting together this event. Unlike other fashion shows, that only show off a certain body type that is often unattainable, this fashion show highlights the strength and diversity of the female body.

I also conducted research about domestic violence. As the daughter of two marines, I grew up in the military brat lifestyle. However, I was unaware of the rampant sexual assault problems and the barriers survivors face. Unlike civilian judicial systems, discretion is given mainly to the commanding officer, who often times are close to the perpetrator. Because of this most cases are not even investigated, and often times the survivor will be charged with misconduct, underage drinking, or even be discharged from the military all together. Survivors in the military seem to be one of the most ignored groups and it’s inspired me to look into becoming a victim support advocate.

All in all my time at Becky’s Fund was amazing. This internship solidified my decision to work in the nonprofit world for the rest of my career. I also felt very blessed to be a part of an awesome group of summer interns. This summer I took a few days off to deal with a personal matter and when I came back I saw two cards on my desk: a birthday card and a “thinking of you” card, signed by all the interns. Thanks to Maya, Emily, Meghana, and Andy for making this summer awesome and thank you to Becky for the amazing opportunity.