Supporting victims of Domestic Violence

Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park held its annual collection drive in October that coincides with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to benefit survivors and their children. Now in its 15th year, toiletries, household cleaning products, school supplies, and toys were collected at the medical center and at outlying medical offices. Employees, physicians, and members contributed to the campaign as well as several women’s clubs from the San Gabriel Valley. This year, we supported four local shelters including Foothill Family Service, House of Ruth, Women’s & Children Crisis Center, and YWCA San Gabriel Valley.

Congresswoman Judy Chu and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano have been great supporters of the campaign serving as guest speakers at events. Victor Cheng, MD, Physician-in-Charge, Kaiser Permanente Diamond Bar Medical Offices, has served as the Domestic Violence Physician Champion since the campaign’s inception. “As a physician, I see not only the physical effects of violence on women and children, but also the emotional pain that it brings” he explains. “While we can address many of the physical health issues, it’s the local shelters that provide some of the most essential services,” adds Dr. Cheng.

A unique component of the campaign is a Day of Pampering, where cosmetology students from the Baldwin Park Adult School provide complimentary haircuts, styles, facials, and manicures for women from our partnering domestic violence shelters.

Additionally, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park donated $1,000 to each of the partnering shelters to purchase other items such as bed linens and towels.

“We commend the work our shelter partners are doing to assist families in their transition to healthy living situations,” says Maggie Pierce, Senior Vice President & Area Manager, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center. “Although this is our 15th annual campaign, it’s our hope that one day there will be no need and that violence of any kind - especially in our homes where we should all feel safe and secure - is not something we need to worry about.”

In addition to the collection drive, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park’s partnership with Verizon Wireless provides donated cell phones to survivors of domestic violence through its HopeLine Program. The ongoing donation program enables members, staff, and the community to donate cell phones that are refurbished by Verizon and are programmed with 3,000 minutes each.

The phones are given to local shelters to pass out to those in need. A HopeLine phone gives survivors a lifeline to the outside word and their family members—beyond the control of the abuse. For those who have escaped their abusive situation, a phone keeps them connected to their families, law enforcement, medical care, their children’s schools, and enables them to look for permanent housing and seek employment.

Photo 1:

Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park held a press conference to celebrate the conclusion of the 2018 Domestic Violence Campaign and announce the results of the donation drive benefiting local shelters. Guest speakers included Congresswomen Grace Napolitano and Judy Chu, Victor Cheng, MD, Physician-in-Charge, Kaiser Permanente Diamond Bar Medical Offices; and a domestic violence survivor.

Photo 2:

Sheryl Sack, Chief Administrative Officer, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center; Maggie Pierce, Sr. Vice President & Area Manager, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center; Victor Cheng, MD, Physician-in-Charge, Kaiser Permanente Diamond Bar Medical Offices; and Congresswoman Judy Chu at the Day of Pampering event.