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 […]

At CORA, we believe everyone has the right to live free of domestic violence. Everyone! This week individuals and communities around the world commemorate Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance on Sunday, November 20th. CORA takes this time to recognize the lives, strength, and importance of trans people in our community. We grieve […]

This summer, CORA extended our Mental Health Services team with the newly created role of LGBTQ Clinical Victim Advocate. This position provides individual and group therapy to survivors and engages in community outreach and education with a special emphasis on working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) survivors.  Angie Hermes stepped into […]

It’s true: it takes a community to end domestic violence. The good CORA does is only possible because of the support of wonderful, caring donors and we’re grateful for each and every one. Together we are a powerful team working to make abuse a thing of the past here in San Mateo County. It’s important […]

As someone who’s worked to provide shelter, counseling and legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence for nearly 15 years, I know what righteous indignation feels like. I have seen the faces of women who’ve been victimized by the very legal system from which they sought safety. I’ve seen their rage after losing a job […]

When one of our board members at CORA became a mom earlier this year, we knew she’d have a new perspective on talking to your children about domestic violence. We asked her to write a blog addressing how she’d broach this difficult but essential subject with her little one. To be honest, we thought it would be a […]

“Is this abuse?” When the question first comes to mind, the initial answer might be dismissive. Something along the lines of, “Well, if I was being abused I wouldn’t have to ask, would I?” The truth is abuse can often be difficult to recognize when you’re in the midst of it. When you care about […]

Mitchell Alandt is 16 years old, a student at Serra High School and headed for the Junior Olympics. It’s a busy schedule, but he’s added one more thing to it … helping domestic violence survivors at CORA! Mitchell has committed to donating for every block he makes on his way to the Junior Olympics and […]

Two things always seem to happen when I’m in a group of people and it comes out that I work for an organization helping those experiencing domestic violence. The first is someone will tell me – usually aside and in a quiet voice – that they experienced abuse in their past. The second is someone […]

This piece was written by guest blogger Alessandra Jimenez*. Aly is a child witness and volunteer here at CORA. We’re proud to be part of the complex, healing and powerful process of telling her story.  *All names have been changed for this piece.   Alessandra “Aly” Jimenez, recently graduated from Skyline College with an Associate […]