Honoring News
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor NEWS, Napa County's only domestic violence and sexual abuse agency, as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1981, NEWS was created by members of the Napa County community with the mission of…
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor NEWS, Napa County's only domestic violence and sexual abuse agency, as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Founded in 1981, NEWS was created by members of the Napa County community with the mission of providing a safe place for women and children who experienced domestic abuse. With the help of local Napa County leaders, NEWS founders were able to acquire a house, and begin to shelter survivors of domestic abuse when they had nowhere else to go. Since 1981, NEWS has grown into an organization that serves over 1,300 Women, Men, Children, and LGBTQ+ folx annually.
The critical services NEWS provides to the Napa community include a 24-hour domestic violence and sexual abuse help line, referral services for domestic violence and sexual abuse survivors, and food, clothing, transportation, and medical support. Additionally, the NEWS shelter provides private bedrooms, private bathrooms, a family room, a full kitchen, and spacious areas for children to play for up to 20 community members at a time. Further, the NEWS court advocates assist survivors in filing protective orders, and NEWS case managers work with clients to find safe and affordable housing.
NEWS is an active member of several local, state, and national organizations that advocate for and promote domestic violence and sexual abuse prevention. These organizations include the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, the Child Abuse Prevention Council, the Community Leaders Coalition, the Napa County Continuum of Care, the Napa County Behavioral Health Committee, the Napa Valley Communities Organized Against Disaster, and more.
Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that NEWS' contributions to our community have made Napa County a safer place for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor it here today.