Take A Stand Against Domestic Violence! #HopeLine @Verizon @SheSpeaksUp #Giveaway #Ad

      October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it is definitely a cause that I feel very strongly about.  Unfortunately, a friend of mine whom I attended high school with was physically abused by one of her boyfriends.       I can still remember sitting on the floor of the bathroom at school while she confessed to me that some of the bruises she had on her arms and legs had been cause by him.  Honestly, I never imagined that anyone I loved would be treated this way and I was at a loss as to how to get her help.  One thing I did know is that I had to get her away from him.     Fortunately, my friend had a great support system and was able to remove herself from an abusive and dangerous relationship.  Sadly, not all women who find themselves in this situation are so lucky.     This is why it is so important to keep the dialogue going about domestic violence.  It  is a national problem that … [Read more...]

Break The Cycle Of Violence-One Family At A Time! #PurplePurse @Allstate #Ad

*This sponsored post was written by me in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and The Allstate Foundation®. All opinions are 100% mine.        Many years ago, when I was in high school, I had a friend who was being abused by her boyfriend.  It was a very scary time for me because it was the first time that one of my friends approached me about domestic violence.  She would often have bruises and marks on her skin and I can remember sitting with her in the bathroom at school holding her while she cried and wondered what she should do.     I tried everything to get her to leave this guy but it became a vicious cycle where he would apologize and be loving for some time which would convince her that he was really going to change.  Eventually, she became strong enough to break away from him and she used her newfound independence to help her heal from the years of abuse that were inflicted upon her.     An unfortunate reality is that domestic violence affects one in four women … [Read more...]

Pass The Purple Purse To Raise Money For Domestic Violence Victims! #PurplePurse #Sponsored

*This sponsored post was written by me in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and The Allstate Foundation.  All opinions are 100% mine.     Many people are unaware that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Unfortunately, many of us have been affected personally by domestic violence, myself included.  Back in high school, I had a good friend who was being abused by her boyfriend and I recall how frustrated I felt and how worried I was for her welfare.  I just couldn't understand how she could continue to stay with someone who was treating her this way and I didn't know how I could help her. WHEN IS IT TIME TO GET HELP?     The scariest moment for me was when her boyfriend beat her in the car with his friends present and then kicked her out of the car.  As she recounted the story to me and I gazed upon her badly bruised face, I knew that I had to do something to help her because I was afraid that he was going to kill her.  I was able to get help from teachers whom … [Read more...]

Nobody Wins…

        This past week, a woman who lived in the same area as I do went missing.  She was the mother of four and a productive member of society who worked as a nurse.  Her story was all over the airwaves and many people in the community were visibly shocked as I live in a fairly affluent neighborhood in one of the outer boroughs of New York City.  There was a lot of speculation surrounding her disappearance and it was stated on the news that her husband was being questioned as a suspect.     I hate to say this but, I immediately felt in my gut that he had killed her.  It was just too weird that a responsible mother of four beautiful children suddenly disappeared without a trace.  Over the years, I have grown accustomed to ultimately finding out that it was the spouse or the boyfriend that committed the heinous act.  Unfortunately, it usually turns out that this was indeed the case and the public learns that there was a long history of domestic violence prior to the murder.  … [Read more...]