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Community Corner

Dave Pelzer is keynote at The Center for Women and Families annual Speaking of Women luncheon

Dave Pelzer is a living
testament of a self-made man. As a child he feared for his life, but had the
resilience to overcome extreme obstacles to become the man he is today,
inspiring others to lead fulfilling lives.



 



Thursday, Sept. 26,
beginning at 11:30 a.m., at the Waterview in Monroe, we all have the chance to
hear his story of survival and hope at the 16th annual Speaking of
Women luncheon, The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County’s
biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the event will help The Center
continue its work of advocacy, education and crisis services for those
shattered by domestic abuse, sexual assault and bullying.

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Pelzer has dedicated his life to helping others become the
best that they can be. “Your experiences – the good, the bad and the ugly – are
what make you you,” Pelzer says. “No person is without conflict. But it is how
you deal with those conflicts that determine who you are.”

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In addition to his
motivational speeches, Pelzer is the author of seven books, five of which are
New York Times bestsellers. His first, “A Child Called It,” recounts his life as
a child, when he was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable,
alcoholic mother, a mother who played tortuous games that left him nearly dead.
It is the first of a trilogy that includes “The Lost Boy” and “A Man Named
Dave.” His latest book, “Moving Forward,” suggests ways for readers to let go
of their pasts and use negative experiences to make them stronger.



 



“We couldn’t be more
excited to have Dave Pelzer speak at our luncheon,” says Debra Greenwood,
CEO/President of The Center. “His message is everlasting and one that is
important for us all to hear. With the needed resources, such as the ones The
Center provides, survival after trauma is possible.



 



“Speaking of Women is
our most important event of the year, the one on which we rely to provide us
with the needed funds to help those shattered by domestic violence and sexual
assault,” she adds. “We encourage everyone to attend. Even if you have never
heard of Dave Pelzer, once you listen to him speak, he will stay in your memory
for years to come.”



 



In addition to Pelzer’s
speech, The Center will unveil important news at the luncheon, which will improve
our core services: turning victims of domestic violence and sexual assault into
survivors in the six towns The Center serves, Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield,
Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull and educating children about ways to build
healthy relationships without bullying and teen dating violence.



 



All proceeds from the
luncheon support The Center’s services, including 24-hour hotlines in English
and Spanish, an emergency shelter, support groups, community education,
counseling, and advocacy to navigate medical, legal, and government processes
related to domestic and sexual violence.



 



Title
Sponsors for this year’s event include People’s United Bank, People’s United Wealth Management and
Elizabeth M. Pfriem. If
you are interested in attending or becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact
Sarah Lubarsky at 203-334-6154, ext. 31, or slubarsky@cwfefc.org. Cost is $175 per
ticket, which includes lunch.



 



ABOUT THE CENTER FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES



The
Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County Inc., has been
helping those in crisis for 116 years, providing free, confidential, bilingual
services to victims of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault who live
in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. Additionally,
each year, The Center teaches more than 7,000 children and teens about how to
build healthy relationships, the dangers of bullying and how to prevent dating
violence; answers more than 2,000 calls on its 24-hour crisis hotline; assists
with the civil and criminal court processes for more than 3,000 survivors of
domestic violence; responds to more than 300 survivors of sexual assault and
their families; provides a safe home for more than 100 women and children
freeing domestic abuse; and coordinates the investigations of more than 100
cases of child sexual and severe physical abuse, developing service plans for
the young survivors and their families. For more information, visit www.cwfefc.org.






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