“For 18 years we have been working hard to chart new paths, and our main goal is to unite the entire community to provide better support resources to survivors and their families,” explained Diana Mejía, CEO of Nuevo Sendero, the organization that advocates for victims of domestic violence and who led the third edition of awareness, “Lighting Orlando Purple.”
The event that honors the victims who have lost their lives, the survivors and their families featured speeches by Mayors Buddy Dyer, of the city of Orlando, and Jerry Demings, of Orange County, the latter heading the Violence Commission. Domestic Violence, and Zuleika González, Director of Domestic Violence at the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
“We believe that this problem affects everyone, regardless of their social status, religion or economic situation. Especially our Latino and migrant families, who often suffer the most due to limited access to relief resources. Therefore, we are trying to engage governments, mayors and elected officials so that they understand that this is not just a single organization’s problem, but a shared responsibility to better serve our community and end domestic violence,” Mejia stated.
She admitted that there are challenges in obtaining more health resources to heal the traumas left by violence. “Another of our dreams is to achieve a strong national consciousness through lighting purple buildings. We would love to see this dream come true in Washington and across the nation. “We want the state of Florida, including Tallahassee, and national organizations like the Domestic Violence Coalition, to come together in one voice to support survivors and their families,” she said.
In Florida there are 41 state-certified domestic violence shelters, according to DCF, but this state agency does not clarify if there are any dedicated for Hispanics. It only lists rural and Jewish segments. Additionally, DCF has had its budget increased from $26 billion to more than $117 billion since Governor Ron DeSantis took office in 2019.
But little of that made it to the agency that oversees these shelters, the Florida Council Against Domestic Violence, whose $47 million budget was cut by $3 million in 2021 and only got an increase of about $2 million this year. About two-thirds of that money comes from federal sources. According to records, DCF requested $10 million in state funds for the program that oversees shelters, for the 2024-25 budget cycle, and an additional $8 million in federal grants.
“Our goal is to establish the Survivor Center by 2024,” Mejia said, but she admitted she needs more support from the Florida Council Against Domestic Violence.
Back in the city of Orlando, Dyer, Demings and Deltona City Mayor Santiago Ávila delivered three proclamations. Plaques and recognitions were also given to sponsors, allies and volunteers who have supported the organization and the appointment of the prominent communicator Olga Aymat as the new president of the organization was announced.
“We are committed to creating an environment where survivors feel safe, supported and empowered, and with this event we want to raise awareness and empathy to strengthen the ties of our community in the fight against domestic violence,” said Aymat.
One of those outstanding recognitions went to Margarita Romo. The activist of Mexican descent has spent decades working to improve the lives of migrant farmworkers. She herself admitted that she was a victim of domestic violence.
Romo was inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame, an honor given to individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of minorities and all citizens in Florida. She is the founder of Farmworker’s Self-Help Inc., an organization that has pushed for the passage of a bill that would include breaks for farmworkers, water stations and even allow organizations like hers to provide heat-related education in the area. place.
The lighting ended with the masterful artistic participation of singer-songwriter Héctor Javier and his group, who brought a great closure to the event.
