HOLYOKE (MA)
Republican
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
By BILL ZAJAC
wzajac@repub.com
HOLYOKE - Organizers of today's open house for the recently created first-of-its-kind clergy sexual abuse Victim Resource Center hope professionals who help abuse survivors will attend the event.
"We'd love to see some attorneys, therapists some mental health agencies and even someone from AA," said Shauna L. Lozada, a case manager and center coordinator.
The center, which will be open to the public 4-6 p.m., was created with a one-year $50,000 grant from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in the wake of the diocese's $7.8 million settlement last summer with 46 alleged clergy abuse victims.
The center serves as a referral center for abuse survivors needing help with things like housing, employment, therapy, substance abuse, emergency food and financial assistance.
"Many people don't know about the center and what it does. We hope the open house informs service providers what we are all about," said Lozada, adding that the center identifies agencies that can help abuse survivors with specific needs.