By Isra Shah on
The Harlem Ambassadors are set to play a charity match at Pomona College’s Rains Center in Claremont, California, on April 27 in order to benefit women and children victimized by domestic violence.
Representatives from the team originally contacted House of Ruth, a local domestic violence agency, to offer a creative way to raise funds.
Sue Aebischer, Executive Director of House of Ruth, commented on the team’s partnership with the agency and stated that, "We feel very fortunate to be working with the Harlem Ambassadors.
“Their commitment to helping communities and fostering improved home situations is right in line with House of Ruth. When they contacted us to offer their help in raising funds for our shelter, it was a clear opportunity to address our funding needs while also bringing the community together for some fun.”
The event will feature a showcasing of the Ambassadors’ expert ball-handling skills and will pit the professional players against a local team of community supporters—the “House of Ruth Hoopsters”—in a basketball game to end the evening.
The agency currently serves Southern California’s Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, and works to advocate for and assist women and children victimized by domestic violence by providing shelter, programs, opportunity and education. The organization is committed to contributing to social change through intervention, education, prevention programs, and community awareness.
Although a shrinking budget is not a situation unique to House of Ruth in the face of the current economic climate, having less resources to combat domestic violence during hard times may lead to especially serious consequences for people in abusive relationships. Often, the increased strain that occurs as a result of life events such as losing one’s job or foreclosing on a home exacerbates a batterer’s behavior and results in harsher or more frequent instances of abuse towards victims.
“At a time when the economy has increased stress and people feel out of control in households throughout our region, the need for domestic violence education and shelter services is significant,” said Aebischer. “At the same time, our public funding sources, donors, and foundations are also feeling the financial pinch of the recession. So we’re working to identify more fundraising opportunities to continue to serve the women and children who so desperately need us.”
Tickets for the event are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for students, and may be obtained by calling (909) 868-8005.
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