"I know I have faults, but I'm a work in progress,
and I'm getting better," says Karen Justice Guard,
founder and director of Safe Havens for Little People.
The prefix to her e-mail address, nostoppingher, confirms
just that.
"If you find alcohol and drugs, you'll find domestic
violence," says Karen. She knows first hand. When
she was 26, her boyfriend kicked her in the ribs and beat
her so severely she had cauliflower ears and wasn't recognizable.
She even ran off a 30-foot cliff trying to escape her
abuser.
| "I
turned to drugs and alcohol to be 'somebody' and then
realized I didn't like who that 'somebody' had become."
|
"I
never knew who I was or what I wanted," says Karen.
"I turned to drugs and alcohol to be 'somebody' and
then realized I didn't like who that 'somebody' had become."
Surviving a roller coaster of highs and lows, rehabs,
failed relationships, and living on welfare, Karen made
the decision to turn her life around and help others.
"Through
it all, I realized the recovery process is much easier
with financial stability," says Karen. "With
it, you actually can make choices and focus on yourself,
your family, and getting better."
|
Domestic Violence Facts
- Domestic
violence is the major
cause of injury to women
- One
in three
Americans have witnessed an incident of domestic
violence
- Thirty-three
percent
of corporate leaders believe domestic violence
affects their balance sheet
- Forty-four
percent
of Fortune 1000 executives believe domestic violence
increases insurance costs
- Two
in five
corporate leaders are aware of employees affected
by domestic violence
- An
estimated six
in 10
American couples experience violence within marriage
- Ninety
percent
of women in prison for homicide have killed their
batterer
|
With
that in mind, Karen created Safe Havens for Little People
in Concord, CA, with the inheritance she received when
her father passed away. Her goal is to empower women to
gain the self-esteem and financial freedom needed to rebuild
their lives after escaping destructive relationships.
But, she also works under a strict philosophy that providing
opportunity is much more effective than handing out money.
"Karen had all these wonderful ideas in her heart and
in her head," says Pastor Don Smith, a local minister
who serves as president of Safe Havens. "But it wasn't
until UPS and Varian Corporation donated funds that she
could make those ideas a reality. So many doors have been
opened since."
New opportunities
| "If
I had to give just one reason why UPS chose Safe Havens
for Little People, it would be the passion Karen has
for helping others." |
The
various internships and programs at Safe Havens follow
Karen's philosophy of opportunity by helping women become
financially independent. Recipients have the option to
learn retail skills by operating a store that sells gourmet
sauces, gift baskets, bath and body products, and aromatherapy
candles; or they can choose training in the food service
and catering industry by working at Express Yourself Bistro
and Express Yourself Catering.
The
proceeds from
these products and services help fund additional Safe
Havens programs, such as training on how to effectively
launch a product, as well as establishing cyberstores
for entrepreneurs and businesses.
"Karen
has really helped my recovery process," says
Betty
Jaramillo, a former heroin addict now working at Safe
Havens. "She pushes me just the right amount, and
I find myself accomplishing things I never dreamed I could
do."
Beyond job training, Safe Havens also provides professional
counseling, a 12-Step Program of Recovery, meditation
classes, computer labs, parenting courses, and on-site
after-school tutoring for children. There are even plans
to establish a daycare facility in Pastor Don's church.
Community contributions
 |
| Safe
Havens for Little People is helping Betty Jaramillo
and Marvin Perkins get back on their feet. |
Always
on her cell phone and meeting with potential partners,
Karen constantly works to grow Safe Havens for Little
People. The program, in fact, has been endorsed by California's
Welfare-to-Work Program and receives $4,000 from the Contra
Costa County welfare system for each person participating
in its job training programs. What's
more, several health care professionals and dentists donate
their services, and local construction companies have
offered supplies and assistance on building projects.
Using
the $100,000 Region/District Grant from UPS, Safe Havens
is further developing its job training programs and, in
the spring, it will offer an additional program in landscaping
and yard maintenance. The grant will help purchase computer
and telecommunications equipment for training workstations,
landscaping and yard maintenance equipment, a van, as
well as supplies and materials for the retail sales training
program.
"If I had to give just one reason why UPS chose Safe
Havens for Little People, it would be the passion Karen
has for helping others," says East Bay District Human
Resources Manager Stefond Harris, who served on the Region/District
Grant Committee. "She can personally identify with
those she helps because she's been there, and she's rebuilt
her life."
A helping hand
 |
|
UPS
Region/District Grant Committee member Gerald Ervin
worked closely with Karen Justice Guard throughout
the grant process.
|
Safe
Havens for Little People is just one of the 1,331 organizations
the UPS Region/District Grant Program has helped since
its beginning in 1984. Over the years, the program has
awarded $39.7 million to charitable organizations that
meet urgent community needs throughout the United States,
Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. This year, The UPS Foundation
awarded $2.8 million to 72 non-profit organizations.
Every
year, Region/District Grant committees, consisting of
management and non-management people, recommend organizations
based on employee suggestions, agency reviews, and site
visits. The Foundation receives the proposals and presents
its recommendations to the Board of Trustees for approval.
Grants are then awarded in the amounts of $100,000, $50,000,
$25,000, and $10,000.
To
learn more about The UPS Foundation's community involvement,
visit www.ups.com/community.
