Message from the President/CEO

“Imagine a San Antonio without domestic violence”: A dream? Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. (FVPS) began with a dream, a small house for emergency shelter, and the commitment of a few San Antonio citizens. Fast forward 32 years and the progress is amazing.

FVPS has helped nearly 225,000 women, children, and men. Today, FVPS has 13 residential and non-residential programs that truly help victims of domestic violence not only be safe during crisis, but to heal, realize their potential, and develop their skills. Each individual FVPS serves is more than a victim. We believe that each person we serve is unique, strong, and can be self-sufficient. Our purpose is to make those we serve believe it, too.

Families are our society’s most basic and important unit. All things impacting our society have their genesis in the family. FVPS has the incredible and rewarding responsibility to serve families and coordinate with our community to deliver services that mend the body, restore the spirit, and help each person recognize their worth. Reaching out to people of all ages and backgrounds, educating our community about domestic violence, and offering comprehensive programs that support long-term change is what we do. Our work with children is some of the most critical, as it is with them that the best chance exists to reduce domestic violence for generations to come.

FVPS continues to realize dreams each day. The completion of the new Harvey E. Najim Children’s Center at the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter in early 2010 will be another dream realized. Our work involves partnerships with many other non-profit agencies, government organizations, and private donors. We persist in setting new goals, finding ways to achieve them, and partnering with others who care to make fabulous things happen.

Thank you for your concern. Helping victims see themselves as survivors, and teaching children that any violence hurts all of us are tremendous tasks, but with your help, we are up to the challenge.

Sincerely,

Marta B. Peláez