Jewish Family & Children’s Service and Sojourner Center Raise $400,000 at Brighter Tomorrow Hope Luncheon

(PHOENIX – March 12, 2018) – In their first-ever combined fundraising luncheon, Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) and Sojourner Center, an affiliate subsidiary of JFCS, raised $400,000 at its Brighter Tomorrow Hope Luncheon, held Friday, March 2 at the Arizona Biltmore. The luncheon was attended by more than 500 people, and focused specifically on domestic violence awareness.

The luncheon’s keynote speaker was MonaLou Callery, founder of the National Advocacy & Training Network (NATN) and survivor of domestic abuse. Callery, who suffered years of physical, verbal and mental abuse, spoke about her past domestic violence experiences and how she was able to overcome them. She started NATN to help address the health, safety, economic and social justice issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault and substance abuse.

Callery also spoke on the importance of supporting organizations such as JFCS and Sojourner Center and their efforts to end domestic violence.

“The issues that MonaLou addressed during her speech are the same that our teams at JFCS and Sojourner Center work to raise awareness on every day,” said Dr. Lorrie Henderson, president and CEO of JFCS. “Because of the generosity and commitment of our donors, lives will be transformed now and into the future.”

Among the many programs offered at JFCS is Shelter Without Walls, which addresses the unmet needs of Maricopa County survivors of domestic violence and their children who are residing outside of a shelter setting, and are struggling to attain and/or maintain safety and independence, whether or not still living with their abuser.

Sojourner Center provides shelter and support services to women, children, men and pets that are affected by domestic violence and human trafficking. They provide a continuum of multicultural services, connect individuals and families to transitional housing and other resources in Arizona, and collaborate with the global community on education, research and advocacy.

“JFCS and Sojourner Center share a history of successful collaborations, including this year’s Brighter Tomorrow Hope Luncheon,” said Carrie Borgen, executive director for Sojourner Center. “By becoming an affiliate subsidiary of JFCS, it has positioned Sojourner Center so that it can continue impacting the lives of thousands of community members it serves.”

For more information about Jewish Family & Children’s Service and their programs, visit www.jfcsaz.org.  For more information about Sojourner Center and their programs, visit www.sojournercenter.org.

About Jewish Family & Children’s Service

Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that strengthens the community by providing quality behavioral health and social services to children, families and adults of all ages, in accordance with a Jewish value system that cares for all humanity. At JFCS we hope for a future where families are strong, where our elders are cared for and where children are safe. Our dedication to our mission is strengthened by our commitment to our core Jewish values that honor community and the continuity of the generations.

About Sojourner Center

Sojourner Center is one of the largest, longest-running domestic violence shelters in the United States. Sojourner Center serves thousands of women, children and pets each year through its shelter, transitional housing and community outreach programs, child development center, health care clinic and lay legal advocacy programs. For more than 40 years, through its services to victims and survivors, education and prevention efforts aimed at youth and the community, advocacy, research and leadership, Sojourner Center leads the way to a world free from domestic violence.