On Wednesday August 3, 2011, PLEA was invited on a tour of the Sojourner Center in Phoenix. Connie Phillips (Executive Director) and Gordon Sims (Director of Major Gifts) were wonderful hosts. PLEA members and their Association have gladly committed in helping the center accomplish their mission: overcoming the impact of domestic violence one life at a time.
Sadly the facts related to domestic violence are disturbing: 1 in 4 women are affected by domestic violence at one point in their lives; 111 individuals died in Arizona as a result of domestic violence in 2009. Every 44 minutes a child witnesses abuse in their home. Sojourner Center serves approximately 2800 women and children each year. PLEA members have invested $4000 over the last 4 years which provided 73 nights of safety for victims of domestic violence. PLEA members can obtain Sojourner Center information cards for DV victims in the PLEA member lounge.