Inspiration While You Work

For the last two weeks I’ve had the opportunity to work with Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc., known as ACT.  ACT has been in Southwest Florida since the late 70s, helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.  I imagine it's hard getting donations for a non-profit when some of how it operates has to be in secrecy.  What I mean by that is its victims and shelter clients can never be identified for protection, their location must remain anonymous due to threats, and let’s face it, domestic violence is still something of a taboo topic; yet it’s everywhere, even rearing its ugly head in the Orlando club shooting from the shooter’s ex-wife.  ACT really has amazing people at work, especially Development Director Raquel Torres, to raise funds for what is unfortunately now a necessity in our community.  I was humbled during the process to promote their fundraising concert in July, Rock Out Against Domestic Violence.  I interviewed a domestic violence victim, all shot in a silhouette for her protection, and it left my jaw on the ground.  She made it through some horrific situations and left me inspired.  You may not see these stories in the paper or on the news every day (I would know, when I was a reporter they only made headlines when it was too late and someone lost their life), but this is truly what is going on.  ACT wouldn’t have had, what breaks down to, more than 15 clients every single day last year, and more than 40 calls a day to their crisis line if that wasn’t the case.  Here is the video I made to promote their event, and hope for the small price of $7 in advance or $10 at the door you can come.  If you’re a business owner, the price of a table for your company to donate to a good cause and listen to live music is probably less than what your office spent on coffee last month, tables start at $75.  Go to actabuse.com for more details.