Hello CORA Friends, Partners and Supporters, Many of you have read the letter from Executive Director Melissa Lukin announcing her resignation. We are deeply grateful for Melissa’s leadership during the past 15 years. As her letter recounted, the agency has grown to become one of the leading domestic violence agencies in California. We are in […]

Dear CORA Family, As all of you are an important part of the work CORA does in our community, I want to let you know that I have resigned from my position as CORA’s Executive Director. Before I leave, I want to say how much your support has meant and to say a proper goodbye. […]

As a member of the CORA community, welcome to 2018! I am as excited as ever about what we accomplished this last year and to give you a glimpse of the year ahead. First, I want to thank our funders. Without you, none of our work would be possible. You are the engine that keeps […]

Domestic violence is more than just an issue between two people. It is a communal, worldwide problem. Intimate partner abuse affects women and men all around the world and encompasses every single culture. Abuse can be physical, sexual, financial and emotional, and some cases directly involve international matters, like human trafficking or deportation threats. The […]

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the role of a bystander is that of a silent witness, a “chance spectator.” This definition fits in line with the familiar, pervasive cultural response given to domestic violence and sexual assault: “It’s a personal, family matter – it’s none of my business.” Fortunately, within the last thirty years, […]

Like you, when I read the words “San Bernardino Shooting,” my heart sunk, initially thinking about the tragic incident that took 14 lives there in 2015, but this time it hit deeper. This time, the event was domestic violence related and as an advocate I can feel my body tightening up and a sense of […]

This week, the clients in CORA’s safe houses gathered together to celebrate their yearly Spring Celebration. We often talk about the challenges survivors face (and there are many), so we thought taking a moment to share a happy, fun moment would be a good idea. After all, the process of leaving and healing from domestic […]

This Friday, March 31st marks the 8th annual celebration of International Transgender Day of Visibility. Rachel Crandall, head of an organization called Transgender Michigan, called for the creation of Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) in 2009 as a response to the lack of holidays celebrating the lives of transgender people while they are living. Prior […]

Transforming lives doesn’t just happen. It takes committed, passionate, caring people giving their support and time. People like CORA’s current Board Chair, Rosemary. With a huge heart and a strong leadership, she’s the type of individual that truly is making a difference in the lives of those experiencing domestic violence. We sat down with Rosemary […]

As we round the bend into 2017 and CORA gets ready to mark 40 years of service to San Mateo County, I can hardly believe how much we have grown. In many ways, last year was our best year ever. Increases in government grants (mostly state funds) and grants from foundations and individual donations, in […]