(DRAFT) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: It is of great concern to me that statistically, we are most likely to die at the hands of our loved ones. Every year, too many women die at the hands of their partner. Every day, there are 20,000 calls made nationwide to domestic violence hotlines. As a long-time women’s advocate, I can say that women feel forced by both circumstances and the lack of safety net in this country to stay in dangerous, toxic, abusive relationships, which endanger them and their children. With the proliferation of guns at home, the chance of homicide skyrockets 500%. At same time, the state scales back any initiatives that would help women and mothers escape such hardship and get a chance for a new, happy, healthy life. We’re asking for $200k grant so we can turn 2.6 acres into idyllic sanctuary, providing women in WPP (Witness Protection Program) a safe haven in which to heal & thrive after such a tumultuous, transitional & transformative experience. KEY MANAGEMENT BIOS: TRISTA DIGENOVA-CHANG is highly accomplished scholar & award-winning university instructor, writer, poet, musician, artist, community advocate & journalist ; MSt, Women’s Studies/Tutor in Trauma & Psychology of Women at Oxford University, England; BA, Berkeley (Poli Sci) ; Studied Social Welfare at Stockholm University, Sweden; interned at the European Parliament; Student Body President, SDCC; ‘Education candidate’ for DC City Council; Executive Board Member, Alameda NWPC; Commissioner, Alameda County Commission on Status of Women; Covered Beijing+5 COnference at the UN for California Women’s Agenda; FSO (Foreign Service Officer) Candidate, US State Department; Project Manager for President Clinton’s PICW (President’s Interagency Council on Women) ; Commended by Taiwan MOI (Ministry of Interior) for field guide to aboriginal use of plants in Taiwan; started community garden for Southwest Community Center; Southern Arizona Food Bank / POWWOW volunteer; Volunteered as Manager to open first-ever food pantry on Pascua Yaqui Reservation in my neighborhood; Volunteer, KPYT Yoeme Radio; Volunteer, Pima County Seed Library; Former Member, Pima County Foster Care Review Board; Candidate for Pima County Sheriff, 2020. Anthony: Desert Storm Vet, set up satellite telecoms systems in Iraq; chief of construction; certified exterminator; former CO (correctional officer); prison criminal investigator. STRATEGY: 1st Year, our objective is to build communal yet private lodging for 10 women fleeing situations of violence under the government’s Witness Protection Program. We install high level of security system, as well as ‘self-care’ spa/pool/sauna to promote mental health & relaxation ; install a nature trail ; aviary. There are both private & communal activities offered, such as yoga, meditation and so on, organized by participants themselves; as well as daily simple tasks reminiscent of Buddhist ashrams in which we daily contribute to others’ well-being. As for ‘marketing strategy’ there’s no need to market - I develop cooperative agreement to provide housing to participants in WPP from around the country. Nobody -literally nobody can or has the will, even - to provide this type and level and high-quality experience, surrounded by nature; desert wildlife & a supportive network of women. They will feel and be part of a supportive community of women who are in similar circumstances - itself a recipe for their recovery, as they forge alliances with other women & help each other. I get certification in counseling psychology; medical assisting. Therapeutic activities will consist of mainly but not exclusively: art therapy ; music therapy ; ‘plant therapy’ (gardening) ; animal therapy ; & music therapy. There is a mountain of evidence that says these types of therapy truly work; as well as elements of group therapy; what Freud called ‘the talking cure’. As an artist experienced in all this areas, I’m uniquely qualified to lead daily art, cooking, gardening & music classes.
