News & Events

January 25, 2007

The Santana House Grand opening for the Violence Intervention Program

On January 24, 2007, we flew to Los Angeles to join Deborah and Carlos for the grand opening of VIP's Santana House. Starting 7 years ago in a tiny trailer, pediatrician Dr. Astrid Heger single handedly started out saving abused children. Her letter to us about little Brian who was gang raped at 9 years old moved me to tears and anguish 7 years ago and we began funding the LAC/USC Violence Intervention Program for sexually abused children. Dr. Heger has built this program from the ground up. There is now County and city support as well philanthropic support. There are permanent buildings housing a hospital, mental health center, foster care center, forensic center, and elder abuse services. The sad news is that the VIP sees between 600-800 children EVERY month! The good news is there is now a place for these children and hope for their healing. Carlos says there are angels and archangels in the world. He describes Dr. Astrid Heger as one of those rare archangels. The Santana House is a newly built shelter for abused women and children. For more information about this incredible program or The Santana House, log on to http://www.violenceinterventionprogram.org/vip/

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