COVID-19: To Our Community Partners, Supporters and Community-At-Large,

At Center for Domestic Peace (C4DP), the health and well-being of our service users and staff are at the top of our minds amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We know from previous national disasters, and from what China has reported, that otherwise protective strategies such as ‘social distancing’ and being confined to one’s home have the potential to put domestic violence victims at greater risk, due to the isolation this creates. We know that isolation leads to greater danger for victims. Coupled with the financial impact from COVID-19, domestic violence victims may now face significant increased barriers preventing them from seeking help, or from finding shelter or other alternatives to their current living situation.

As we weather this storm together, C4DP remains steadfast in our commitment to provide 24/7 emergency hotline and shelter services.  With a 43-year history of providing an emergency response system to address victim safety needs in Marin, we will continue to closely monitor, assess and respond to the evolving COVID situation with victim safety as our upper most concerns, along with the needs of our staff to be well.

To that end:

• If you or anyone you know needs assistance, continue to refer them our bilingual hotline (415-924-6616) as our emergency shelter services are available 24/7 in English and Spanish. Shelter requests are handled on the hotline, as are appointments for legal advocacy services.
• Considering the March 16 order to “shelter in place”, C4DP’s business office at 734 A Street, San Rafael, is closed until further notice, however, calls to the business line (415-456-2464) continue to be answered 9am – 5pm.
• C4DP’s therapy and support groups (In This Together and Empowerment Support Groups) have been suspended. Participants in either of the groups are encouraged to call our case manager, Gabby Aragon, (415) 526-2553, for individual, tele-therapy in lieu of attending in-person.
• ManKind, WomanKind, and Mujer Gentil programs are now online. Click here for information.
• Our MAYA Team (Marin Against Youth Abuse) has also been suspended from meeting on-site, however they might meet by tele-conference.
• Our annual fundraiser on May 6 (In Celebration of Mothers) is now online.  Click here for information. For questions about this event, please Marla Hedlund, Development and Community Relations Officer, at [email protected].

Please continue to monitor the C4DP website (www.c4dp.org) for updates on our services.

As always, we appreciate donations to help us meet the needs of those we serve. You can donate financially online using this link or if you have ideas on how you can uniquely contribute, contact Marla Hedlund, Development and Community Relations Officer, at [email protected].

In closing, thank you for continuing to stand with Center for Domestic Peace in support of the individuals and families we are, and will serve during this unprecedented time. The C4DP Family is strong, and, during this difficult period, we are thankful that we can count on your support.

Toward Domestic Peace and Wellness for All,

Donna Garske, Executive Director, on Behalf of C4DP’s Staff, Volunteers and Board Members