New program offers help for victims of violent crime

By Raiza Giorgi · Tue Feb 18 2020

By Barbara Ross for Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley

Local nonprofit Freedom to Choose Project and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office — Victim Assistance Program are hosting Healing Ourselves, an innovative support group for individuals who have been a victim of a violent crime in cases already prosecuted and closed.

The free eight-week pilot program begins from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 25, at the First United Methodist Church, 35 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. It will provide a safe space for people to share their experiences, learn from each other, and gain tools and techniques to continue their healing process.

The group will be co-facilitated by Bonnie Paul, co-founder of the Freedom to Choose Project and Arlene Stepputat, founding board member of the organization.

The program is nondenominational. Free childcare will be available for ages 2-12. The group size is limited, and pre-registration is required.

This initiative will bring together the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office - Victim Assistance Program and the Freedom to Choose Project’s decades of combined experience attending to victim’s needs and working with individuals who have found inner strength.

For more, call 805-323-6156. To register, email register@freedometochooseproject.org.