Collecting Toys for Children of Domestic Violence – Community Advisory

Ms. Ana Valdez, a Takoma Park resident, is a domestic violence survivor who turned her ordeal into a positive message for other victims of domestic violence. Her abuse began in 2004 by her boyfriend. Like many in her situation, at first it was hard for her to go and ask for help. She feared financial loss, the court system, losing her job and upsetting her children. Finally, in 2006, Ms. Valdez summoned up the courage to attempt to put a stop to the situation. She obtained a protective order to keep her abuser away from her and her children. Her abuser violated that order three times. He was arrested in January 2008 and then released. Shortly after, one evening in December 2008, Ms. Valdez arrived home with her children to find her abuser waiting for her in her home. He brutally beat her in front of her two young daughters before a neighbor called police. Former Takoma Park Police Officer, Angela Donovan, arrived at the home of Ms. Valdez and began knocking on the door. Because Ms. Valdez had been ordered not to open they door, one of her daughters opened the door for the officer. Officer Donovan was forced to fire her weapon to save Ms. Valdez. Her abuser was shot twice – both non-life threatening wounds. Ms. Valdez testified against her abuser during his trial. He was convicted and in October 2009, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Ms. Valdez took her experience and gained an understanding of the needs of domestic violence victims. In June 2010, her passion and need to help others in the same circumstances drove her to begin her organization, Angels Against Domestic Violence, Inc., a/k/a Angel’s Project, which is based in Silver Spring, Maryland.

In the spirit of her organization, and for the coming holidays, Ms. Valdez has asked the Takoma Park Police Department, with whom she maintains a close connection after her ordeal, to partner with her in asking for donations of toys for children of domestic violence. We will be placing a large box in the lobby of the Takoma Park Police Department, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland , on Friday, December 9, 2011, after 5:00 p.m. The box will remain in the lobby until Friday, December 16, 2011. She will then take any new and unwrapped donations and present them to the children at her organization’s Christmas gathering on Saturday, December 17, 2011.

Ms. Valdez says, "My dream is to help other victims of domestic violence by being a bridge to their independence through support, prevention education, training and classes…Thank you for supporting this amazing organization. Because of you, victims like my children and me can get the life-saving help we need."