TITLE: Commending Mujeres Unidas/Women Together for its service to Hidalgo County and the Rio Grande Valley.

SUMMARY: Commending Mujeres Unidas/Women Together for its service to Hidalgo County and the Rio Grande Valley.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Mujeres Unidas/Women Together seeks to provide shelter and support to victims of domestic and sexual violence; and WHEREAS, Established in 1978, Mujeres Unidas is dedicated to providing crisis intervention, counseling, and prevention education services to women, men, and children suffering from abuse; the nonprofit is led by a board composed of community representatives from diverse backgrounds, and assistance is given to those in need without regard to race, gender, national origin, age, disability, or religion; and WHEREAS, Among the agency's important services and programs are a 24-hour crisis hotline, an emergency shelter, and legal advocacy; Mujeres Unidas also helps women with children become independent and self-sufficient through the Nueva Vida Transitional Supportive Housing Program, which assists with referrals to community resources, on-site GED and ESL courses, life skills classes, and day care; and WHEREAS, In addition to supporting the victims of abuse, Mujeres Unidas strives to educate abusive partners; led by trained health care providers, Men Against Violence is a 24-week batterer's intervention program that teaches offenders to take responsibility for their behavior and to explore nonviolent problem-solving methods; furthermore, the agency reaches out to the community with training for students, volunteers, and medical, criminal justice, and other social service agencies; and WHEREAS, On April 18, 2015, the agency is hosting the sixth annual Walk In Her Shoes 5K Run/Walk/Community Awareness Fair; during the event, men are invited to walk the course in high-heeled shoes, raising funds and demonstrating that all individuals should take part in protecting their fellow citizens from violence; and WHEREAS, Domestic abuse and sexual assault continue to devastate the lives of numerous Texans, and Mujeres Unidas is a vital resource in the effort to help victims become survivors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commend Mujeres Unidas/Women Together for its service to Hidalgo County and the Rio Grande Valley and extend to all those associated with the organization sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Guerra Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2239 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House