Oct 13 2009
TADA (Teens Against Domestic Abuse), the first organization of its kind created and led by South Florida teens, will hold a panel discussion on November 5th, 2009. Presented by Sapere Group, the event, “Break the Silence: Break the Cycle,” is aimed to shed light on domestic violence and how it transcends age, social and ethnic groups.
Emily Martinez-Lanza, a Gulliver Preparatory School student, established the South Florida Gulliver Schools’ chapter following the death of a close family friend, a result of domestic violence. “I saw how she suffered. Then I saw how her death devastated her family. I knew I had to do something to help make a difference,” said Ms. Martinez-Lanza.
“Break the Silence: Break the Cycle” will include a panel of experts in the field of domestic abuse: Rosa Figarola, Domestic Violence Judge; Lieutenant Eric Garcia, Miami-Dade Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division, Sexual Crimes Bureau; Susan Garcia, MSW, Miami-Dade Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division, Domestic Crimes Bureau; Brenda Bernstein Shapiro, Attorney, Family Law; María Elena Fernandez, Family Violence Treatment Specialist and Family & Victims Services of Miami-Dade County. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn (1350 S Dixie Hwy., Coral Gables, FL, 33146), across from University of Miami. Elena Linare, owner of Razzledazzle Barbershop and a survivor of domestic violence, will also join the panel.
The event is also an opportunity for TADA to raise funds, so they can continue to:
- Educate the public about the truth of domestic abuse
- Provide victims with necessities and financial support while in transition
- Create teen-driven TADA chapters in more schools
- Push legislative efforts to make education on domestic abuse part of high schools’ curricula nationwide
“Break the Silence: Break the Cycle” is presented by Sapere Group, a nonprofit organization of businessmen and women focusing on spreading knowledge of social and business interest. “I’m proud that we can support TADA,” said Sergio Aleaga, president of Sapere Group. “When we met Emily, we realized she was doing an amazing job. We figured that with our help, her cause could gain even more momentum.”
If you would like to make a donation to help support TADA and the important work they do, contact Sergio Aleaga at 786.368.5595 or email [email protected]. Media should contact Frank Irias at 305.333.1322 or [email protected].