A Missouri organization devoted to domestic violence prevention has started expanding to reach more people with its cause.
Race4 Domestic Violence Prevention was formed by two sisters, Tracey Passantino and Leslie Lust, to raise money for educational programs for domestic violence prevention.
“We started Race4 Domestic Violence Prevention because I am a survivor of domestic violence," Lust said. "I was with my abuser for 18 years. I was only 17 when we met and started dating, so I had no idea what domestic violence was at the time, and it took a long time to figure out that’s what he was doing was abusing me. Then I finally got it together and left.”
Lust and Passantino say the key to ending domestic violence is education. Passantino says the primary focus of the organization is to hold fundraising events, such as the 5K run last weekend in Columbia, to donate money to local domestic violence agencies around the country. In past years, they have held 5K runs in Kansas City and St. Louis. Passantino says their goal for 2015 was to have three 5K runs, and Columbia was the perfect fit for their newest market.
“Next year, in 2016, we’ll have Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, and then we will expand out to three additional markets,” Passantino said.
She says the organization is planning to continue doubling its markets each year until they reach 100 markets.
All of the proceeds from Race4 Domestic Violence Prevention’s 5k runs go to local organizations. The fundraising efforts from the Columbia run benefit True North, a domestic violence program in Boone County.
“We have a shelter where we can house up to 25 women and children," Executive Director of True North Barbara Hodges said. "We also have counseling services for clients that are in the shelter as well as those that are not in the shelter."
Hodges says they also have legal outreach programs and a small, but expanding, educational program that goes to the local schools. Passantino says True North is a very good fit for Race4 Domestic Violence Prevention’s mission.
Linda Bennett, a member of the True North Board of Directors, participated in the race.
“I haven’t run in a race before, and I thought it would be a good first time to do it on behalf of the organization of which I’m on the board on, and I’m going to do a walk,” Bennett said.
Bennett says members of the community need to do their part to help both male and female victims of domestic violence.
