SAVANNAH, GA – October 16, 2023 – Mary’s Place Sexual Assault Center of the Coastal Empire launches a new community resource, the Mary’s Place Hispanic Networking Group, to empower and support the Hispanic community in our region. The group aims to unite community leaders in nonprofit organizations and businesses to support the Hispanic community in the Coastal Empire by providing advocacy, resources, and services.
This dedicated group of community leaders is committed to empowering the Hispanic community through education, connections, referrals, and other assistance to strengthen and grow individuals, families, and groups in the Coastal Empire. Initiatives include hosting individual, organizational, and community efforts organized by the group and encouraging participation from community leaders and individuals.
“The Mary’s Place Hispanic Networking Group is such an important initiative for our team, as we are dedicated to empowering all communities within the Coastal Empire,” said Doris L Williams, Executive Director of Mary’s Place. “Our nonprofit organization ensures that Spanish speaking advocates and resources are always available to survivors. We hope this group will provide advocacy, resources, and services to the local Hispanic community to further support them.”
Mary’s Place is encouraging local businesses and organizations to join the Hispanic Networking Group. Those interested in joining can email Perla Leiva at advocate@marysplacega.org. Members commit to not only participating in organized efforts by the group, but also to seek and maintain an employment position for a Spanish-speaking member of staff to ensure the best possible outcomes for members of the Hispanic community.
“Representation matters. Mary’s Place Hispanic Networking Group matters,” said Perla Leiva, the bilingual interpreter and supervisor at Mary’s Place.
The group held a Community Resource Fair on October 14 at Our Lady of Lourdes, located at 501 S Coastal Highway, Port Wentworth, GA 31407. The event included music, activities for kids, food, Zumba, and several community resource vendors. All information was available in Spanish and free of charge for those who attended.
Based in Savannah and serving seven counties in the Coastal Empire, Mary’s Place provides a wide range of services including a 24/7 crisis line, hospital accompaniment, support groups, prevention awareness, educational outreach, and more. The nonprofit understands that not only women face sexual violence, but all communities regardless of sex or gender identity. Through education and prevention awareness. Mary’s Place hopes to reduce stigma around asking for help, and ultimately reduce the number of survivors.
Mary’s Place is committed to supporting survivors of sexual assault in the Coastal Empire and to implementing vital prevention and educational programs across the region. For more information, please visit www.marysplacega.org, call 912-233-3000, email mary@marysplacega.org or visit them on social media.
