avda

27th Annual Race for Hope

Fri, 08 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Funds raised ensure AVDA's life-saving services are available for survivors of domestic violence and their children.

Registration opening soon.

Check back for updates!

SAVE THE DATE

27th Annual Race for Hope

November 14, 2026

John Prince Park - Center Pavilion

Lake Worth, FL

Featuring a 5K, Kid's Dash and Discount for Hometown Heroes

In-Person and Virtual Signup Options

Purple Party is the theme!

There will be prizes for the most "spirited" outfits!

Everyone remembers the purple unicorn, so let's get creative!

Dogs are welcome! Sign up for the 5K WITH Pet

DISCOUNTED registration for all active Palm Beach County Firefighters and Law Enforcement, active/reserve duty Military Personnel, and Veterans.

Interested in sponsoring the event?

Contact us at execassist@avda-fl.com or at 561-265-3797 ext 114

Course, Timing and Scoring:

The course is USATF certified. The 5K will be Net Timing by AccuChip Timing, USA. All participants will be issued a tag and bib number. Failure to wear a tag during the event will disqualify the participant from being scored in the results. There is a 90 minute time limit to complete the race.

There is a possibility of cancellation or shortening of the event due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many opportunities for individuals and groups to volunteer at AVDA's 27th Annual Race for Hope!

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email avda@avda-fl.com

Marketing Volunteer Opportunities

Distribute Race Materials
Distribute Race postcards, brochures, and flyers to key locations and other Races throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding areas.

Race Day Volunteer Opportunities

Race Set-up 5:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
Assist with setting up water stops, signs, banners, tables and chairs in John Prince Park and along Race Route to prepare for runners and spectators.

Food and Beverage Area 6:00 a.m. - 6:30 a.m.
Assist in the set up of food and beverages.

Parking Lot Attendants 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Direct participants to park in the designated lots.

Race T-Shirts 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Distribute Race t-shirts at packet pickup in the registration area in John Prince Park.

Water Stop Distribution 6:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Set-up and distribute water to runners and walkers during the Race at designated Water Stops.

Finisher Water and Medal Distribution 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Set-up and distribute water to runners post-race in the finish line.

Breakdown 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Assist with breaking down signs, banners, water stops, tables, chairs and tents in John Prince Park.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Vegso Family Foundation, RAS Legal Group, Palm Beach Post, NCCI, 4Girls Foundation and Daughters of Penelope

How your donations help AVDA support victims of domestic abuse

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:41:07 GMT

All this month, CBS12 News has been highlighting the life-saving work of one Palm Beach County nonprofit called AVDA, which stands for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse. We've told you the stories of survivors , and introduced you to volunteers who work around the clock to help survivors find safety, and start self-sufficient lives.

Right now, AVDA can use your help, as they work to match an anonymous donor who pledged $40,000, if they can raise that amount or more.

As AVDA President and CEO Pam O'Brien explained, every dollar makes a big difference in their work to help survivors and prevent domestic violence in the community.

"I'm amazed at the number of people affected by domestic violence," O'Brien said. "When you hear 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men report, I think everyone knows someone who goes through this."

A critical service AVDA provides is a hotline that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the last year alone, the hotline received more than 2,000 calls. It also receives text messages. It is often the first step a victim takes to get out of danger.

When an AVDA advocate answers the call or text, they can assist with the caller's unique needs. Sometimes they need advice making a safety plan. Other times they need shelter, transportation, and legal resources. AVDA can connect them to all of it, and it starts with calling 1-800-355-8547.

AVDA also operates an emergency shelter in an undisclosed location that has 64 beds. Last year, that shelter housed 263 people, including 114 children.

Board member Tami Babij has visited the shelter, and described it as an inspiring place of community and healing.

"I think the thing that sticks out the most to me is seeing and interacting with the children in the shelter.," Babij said. "Throwing a birthday party and some of them have never had a birthday party. And maybe getting a new pair of shoes for school and feeling like they fit in. Being able to see them thrive, ultimately, and seeing a smile on their face is why I’ll always support AVDA."

AVDA's work has two goals: to support survivors and prevent domestic abuse in the community. To that end, they hold trainings and estimate that they have educated more than 11,000 people.

For board member Beverly Cordner, working with AVDA is something she does in a close relative's honor. That relative was the victim of domestic abuse, and it affected her for many years. Now, Cordner says she sees how services can turn a person's life around.

"I interacted with one survivor years ago., and there was something she said that stuck with me," Cornder recalls. "She said at the time the abuser was her husband and he always told her she was nothing. That she would never amount to anything. And that stuck in her head. And she always felt she would never do anything. Being at AVDA and getting counseling really helped her self esteem and helped her become the women she knew she could be, away from her abuser."

To take part in AVDA's fundraising campaign, called the Purple Pajama Party, visit this link . The campaign to raise more than $40,000 and match an anonymous donor runs until November 15th.

Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day's top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can't miss video.

CBS12 News highlights local non-profit efforts to aid domestic violence victims

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:56:52 GMT

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — CBS12 News is supporting an important local effort to provide services and emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence.

The non-profit Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, also known as AVDA, is raising funds for it’s many important programs. This month, they have a donor who has pledged to match up to $40,000 in contributions, so anything you donate will really make a difference.

As part of our coverage, Stefany Valderrama sat down with the Chief Program Officer of AVDA Palm Beach Jennifer Rey to talk about how you can recognize signs there may be an issue and how to help when a victim is ready.

The pattern that survivors have said over and over... is that they see now the warning signs and they understand why those were warning signs.

"The pattern that survivors have said over and over... is that they see now the warning signs and they understand why those were warning signs," Rey told CBS12 News.

The red flags seem obvious in hindsight, but it’s hard for someone in an abusive relationship to see them and accept them.

Rey has been helping victims of domestic violence for 25 years. She tells CBS12 News many victims are beaten down long before they are beaten up.

It is a process of chipping away at someone’s self-esteem and self-worth.

"It is a process of chipping away at someone’s self-esteem and self-worth," said Rey.

Isolating a victim from family and friends, even forcing them to quit their jobs, puts the victim more firmly in the control of their abuser.

But domestic violence isn’t always physical.

Perpetrators can control and abuse a victim in many ways -- emotionally, verbally, financially, or sexually.

But the first step to getting someone out of an abusive situation is for allies to recognize what’s happening.

Initially, you may not even notice anything has changed.

A victim might start missing family gatherings, skipping girls' night out, or a regular golf game. Keeping a victim away from friends and family reduces the chances that people who love them will realize something is wrong.

Victims may also stop participating in their favorite hobbies, they could talk less frequently to friends because the abuser might get jealous or they might mention their partner checking their phone, calling them names or insulting them in front of people.

All of those are red flags.

"What are the steps, appropriate steps to take, to help someone who you know is suffering?" Asked CBS12 News, Reporter Stefany Valderrama.

"Listening is a good place to start. Listen to what they have to say.” Rey answered.

"We are walking this very thin line of noticing an alarming pattern. I want to have a conversation about it, but you don't want to scare this person away from feeling that they can trust you. So what do we do?Asked CBS12 News Reporter Stefany Valderrama.

"I think exactly what you just said... I care about you. I’m concerned about you. I'm noticing these things. Do you want to talk about what's going on in your relationship?" Rey told CBS12 News.

Rey says in most cases victims will get defensive, but you have to remain calm and avoid coming off as judgmental, and most importantly, you have to keep the line of communication open.

"It needs to be said, for friend and family, that this is marathon, not a sprint," said Rey. "We are not going to convince anybody to get out of an abusive relationship with one conversation."

Remember, abusers want to keep friends and family away, so you have to be persistent, don’t accept excuses, and remind them you care with a text or call. Otherwise, their abuser’s voice is the only one they hear.

Abusers will say, 'I'm the only who cares about you'

"Abusers will say, I'm the only who cares about you," Rey explained.

When a victim takes stock of their life and finds they’ve lost contact with everyone else, that they have no one and no support outside this one relationship, they end up staying longer.

"Be patient, be understanding, be kind, be gentle, and over time, with resources, with tips and safety tips, we can hopefully help navigate them out of this situation," Rey explained.

Be patient, be understanding, be kind, be gentle, and over time, with resources, with tips and safety tips, we can hopefully help navigate them out of this situation.

If you are trying to help a victim of domestic abuse, Rey advises you should find people to confide in because you are carrying a burden now, too. If you’re not sure who to trust, the experts at AVDA can help just call 800-355-8547. They can also direct you to resources, so if and when a victim decides it’s time to make a change, you can help them get there.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

CBS12 News is partnering with AVDA for it's annual Purple Pajama Party Fundraiser.

A private family foundation is matching all donations up to $40,000.

You have until November 15th to donate.

DONATE NOW

AVDA Releases Comic Book Highlighting Healthy Teen Relationships Co-Created with Local Youth

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 15:57:34 GMT

The Boca Raton Tribune - September 17 - 23, 2021

Since 2008, AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) has implemented the Commit to Change: Violence Prevention Initiative in Palm Beach County as we believe one of the best ways to change individual’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors about domestic and dating violence is through education. In 2015, AVDA was awarded funding from the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) to specifically work with local young men and boys to prevent domestic violence through education and mentoring. Through this mentoring, and in an effort to engage young men in promoting healthy relationships, the Committed Men Campaign was developed.

This campaign encourages youth to create and spread positive messages throughout the community about healthy relationships, how to prevent dating and domestic violence, and their role in ending violence for everyone. To date, the youth have created videos, key chains, posters, songs, and this comic book, titled “A Bad Rap”; sharing these messages in a relevant form to influence positive change among their peer groups.

The creation of this comic book was a collaboration between AVDA’s Violence Prevention Education team, local youth involved in Committed Men, and community partners, such as local independent Hip-Hop Artist/Author, Ramon “Absoloot” Robinson . Ramon has been working together with AVDA through the violence prevention program for five years. As to why this works means so much to him, Ramon said, “I’m a better man because of the education I’ve received from AVDA. By doing the work necessary to change myself and the community I’ve become a better mentor and ultimately better husband and father.”

To celebrate the release of this comic book and the Committed Men Campaign, AVDA is hosting an event to promote the message even further. Select youth, who are a part of AVDA’s Commit to Change Initiative, will hear from music industry veteran, Paul Porter, on the influence of music and media for positive change. The “Media’s Message” event will be streamed live on AVDA’s Instagram (@AVDACommits) on September 18 from 1-3PM. “We are proud of the local youth involved in the Commit to Change Program and are excited to share this comic book showcasing their work with the public,” Pam O’Brien, AVDA’s President & CEO.

AVDA speaker survives beating, burning to become anti-domestic abuse advocate

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 21:28:47 GMT

By Dale King, Boca Tribune

Audrey-May Prosper still bears the scars of the domestic abuse attack that nearly took her life more than a decade ago.

“The fire inside me burned brighter than the one around me,” she told a rapt audience at the 13th Annual AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) “Heart of a Woman” luncheon Jan. 26 at the Royal Palm Yacht Club in Boca Raton.

Pay it Forward: Surviving, thriving are themes of Heart of a Woman Luncheon

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 04:09:42 GMT

By Amy Woods

The shelter’s statistics say it all. Four hundred women and children received emergency housing last year while another 750 received referrals to other resources because the facility was at capacity. Outreach services increased 32%. Programs for community education, professional training and violence prevention grew 136%.

Project seeking to empower victims of domestic violence.

cwilliams@achieveagency.com (Clay Williams) — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 15:14:33 GMT

Project seeking to empower victims of domestic violence.

#Metoo Movement Founder Receives Standing Ovation At AVDA’s Heart Of A Woman Luncheon

cwilliams@achieveagency.com (Clay Williams) — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 18:18:01 GMT

More than 100 hot pink sashes adorned the dining room at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club Feb. 28 as women and men gathered for AVDA’s 12th Annual Heart of A Woman Luncheon.

Founder of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke delivered a heartfelt speech to the sold-out crowd as they dined on gourmet chicken and fish and sipped white wine. Liz Quirantes emceed the event.

#MeToo Founder visits Palm Beach County amidst human-trafficking investigations inside local spas

cwilliams@achieveagency.com (Clay Williams) — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 14:36:59 GMT

By: Merris Badcock

BOCA RATON, Fla. — A silence breaker. One of Time Magazine’s people of the year in 2017.

Tarana Burke shared her story with hundreds at the 12th Annual Heart of a Woman event in Boca Raton. The luncheon was held to raise money for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, a local shelter otherwise known as AVDA.