Easing the trauma of domestic violence
May 1, 2017
Help Mosaic Insurance Alliance earn an even larger donation to Yavapai Family Advocacy Center. If their story is shared on social media 50 or more times May 1-7, YFAC will receive an additional $5,000. Use the ShareThis buttons and help them reach their goal!
When Sandy Merrill first learned about the Yavapai Family Advocacy Center, she knew she needed to get involved.
"Domestic violence, unfortunately, has touched too many lives," said Merrill, the owner of Mosaic Insurance Alliance in Prescott Valley, Arizona. "Helping is only the right thing to do."
The center, founded in 2000, provides a safe and supportive environment for victims of abuse. It utilizes a team approach to advocate for those affected by domestic violence, as well as helping to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of abusers. It's particularly important in rural communities, where access to assistance can be difficult.
Sandy Merrill (right) serves on the center's annual fundraiser event Hope Still Floats steering committee.
Yavapai Family Advocacy Center offers a variety of services for victims, including counseling, forensic interviews and exams, help with legal issues such as protection orders and more. The center also coordinates with local shelters and other resources to secure housing, transportation and other vital support.
All services are free of charge, and with a small staff of just six full-time employees, the center served more than 750 new clients in 2016, while providing ongoing services to another 200, according to center director Missy Sikora.
"We greatly count on volunteers," she said. "They help us achieve our mission of serving both our clients and our partner agencies."
Merrill became a financial contributor to the center immediately after hearing about it from an insurance client, and she now serves on the planning/steering committee for its annual "Hope Still Floats" fundraiser. And for the past three years, Mosaic Insurance Alliance has sponsored a team in the Color Run Dash fundraising event for the center's parent company, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona.
Agent Sandy Merrill (left) with Becky Ruffner executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona. The center served more than 750 new clients in 2016.
Although it's often hidden, domestic violence impacts everyone, Merrill said. "I hear so many personal stories, and every single person on our committees, including me, has heard, witnessed or been involved in a domestic violence situation. I never want to see a child live in the fear that this violence causes."
The 2017 Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award earned by Merrill will help with that goal. The honor comes with up to a $10,000 donation to the Yavapai Family Advocacy Center from Safeco on behalf of Mosaic Insurance Alliance.
"This money will be an invaluable resource for us," Sikora said. "We're so grateful for the work and support of Sandy and her team."
For Merrill, giving back to the community is just part of who she is - as an individual and a business owner.
"I donate because I care, and because anything for children wins my heart over," she said. "Success is only validated by how you help others that need you."
Learn more about our winners:
When Sandy Merrill first learned about the Yavapai Family Advocacy Center, she knew she needed to get involved.
"Domestic violence, unfortunately, has touched too many lives," said Merrill, the owner of Mosaic Insurance Alliance in Prescott Valley, Arizona. "Helping is only the right thing to do."
The center, founded in 2000, provides a safe and supportive environment for victims of abuse. It utilizes a team approach to advocate for those affected by domestic violence, as well as helping to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of abusers. It's particularly important in rural communities, where access to assistance can be difficult.
Sandy Merrill (right) serves on the center's annual fundraiser event Hope Still Floats steering committee.
Yavapai Family Advocacy Center offers a variety of services for victims, including counseling, forensic interviews and exams, help with legal issues such as protection orders and more. The center also coordinates with local shelters and other resources to secure housing, transportation and other vital support.
All services are free of charge, and with a small staff of just six full-time employees, the center served more than 750 new clients in 2016, while providing ongoing services to another 200, according to center director Missy Sikora.
"We greatly count on volunteers," she said. "They help us achieve our mission of serving both our clients and our partner agencies."
Merrill became a financial contributor to the center immediately after hearing about it from an insurance client, and she now serves on the planning/steering committee for its annual "Hope Still Floats" fundraiser. And for the past three years, Mosaic Insurance Alliance has sponsored a team in the Color Run Dash fundraising event for the center's parent company, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona.
Agent Sandy Merrill (left) with Becky Ruffner executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona. The center served more than 750 new clients in 2016.
Although it's often hidden, domestic violence impacts everyone, Merrill said. "I hear so many personal stories, and every single person on our committees, including me, has heard, witnessed or been involved in a domestic violence situation. I never want to see a child live in the fear that this violence causes."
The 2017 Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award earned by Merrill will help with that goal. The honor comes with up to a $10,000 donation to the Yavapai Family Advocacy Center from Safeco on behalf of Mosaic Insurance Alliance.
"This money will be an invaluable resource for us," Sikora said. "We're so grateful for the work and support of Sandy and her team."
For Merrill, giving back to the community is just part of who she is - as an individual and a business owner.
"I donate because I care, and because anything for children wins my heart over," she said. "Success is only validated by how you help others that need you."
Learn more about our winners:
- Agency: Mosaic Insurance Alliance, www.mosaicaz.com, Prescott Valley, Arizona.
- Nonprofit: Yavapai Family Advocacy Center, www.yfac.org, Prescott Valley, Arizona.