CONNECTImmigrant women's rights support and education.
Immigrant women's support and education. At ?MO Wellness, we are committed to promoting gender equality and advocating for women's rights. We believe that everyone, regardless of their gender, deserves equal rights and opportunities. Additionally, we recognize that immigrant women face unique challenges and barriers to accessing these rights. Many immigrant women fear being deported if they report physical, sexual, emotional, or other types of abuse.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Immigrant and Refugee Support
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
West LA
County of Los Angeles
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Expand existing project, program, or initiative
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
I am an immigrant woman who is one of the protected victims on a sexual crime case with no bail allowed. All other (20+) victims were immigrants as well, and while I was helping detectives to contact some of them, I realized that most of them were afraid to go to the police / still are. But most importantly, none of us knew our rights when it comes to physical, sexual, emotional, or other types of abuse. This broke my heart to realize, because we already face enough challenges when we emigrate to another country for work. Lastly, it explained a lot to me myself, why I it was important to me to address issues around women's sexual wellness while building my company.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
We would like to use these fund to form a support group for victims of crimes and anyone who is interested in learning more about topics of abuse and prevention of abuse, providing them with: - legal support and education on their rights - mental health support (PTSD) with mental health professionals - medical support (OBGYN) through partnerships with clinics - sexual wellness and rights education and support at universities and online - community of women who can share their stories, and support each other in a process of healing - informational flyers for women who cross the TSA check point on work visas, etc.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
There are currently no organizations focused on this issue for immigrant women. There is a sex crimes devision at DA's office and we would love to help them and partner with them. I am a founder who knows what victims go though.
What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?
Success rate of this program will be measured in minimizing number of abused immigrant women, and women in general.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 5,000
Indirect Impact: 150,000