Domestic Violence Solutions’ Legacy Club 

Honoring remarkable individuals who have made a transgenerational gift to protect women and children from domestic violence.

Leesa Wilson-Goldmuntz

Leesa has served on the DVS Board of Directors for more than six years—four of them as President. She and her husband David made one of the lead gifts that led to the creation of Mariposa House, our transitional housing program in Santa Maria, and she has supported us generously with her time and charitable contributions since she moved to Santa Barbara in 1998. She has also remembered DVS in her will.

“Although my husband and I are relatively young,” Leesa says, “we’re both planners and like to think long term so we’ve done a lot of our estate planning. There are one or two organizations that we wanted to remember in our will, and DVS is one of them—because, one, they will always need the money; and two, they will use the money wisely.”

 Asked why she feels so strongly about the issue of domestic violence, Leesa says,

“I just find it impossible to tolerate the idea that it is socially acceptable, in the 21^st Century, to abuse someone because of their gender. Unfortunately, there are still many men and women who subscribe to this belief—even if they do so unconsciously—because that is the way they have been socialized.

 “We still live in a society in which there is a fundamental imbalance of power between men and women. It is important to me to do what I can to right that imbalance. I tell my children that our goal is to leave the earth a better place than we found it and this is one way that I have chosen to try and make that difference.”

“Wouldn’t it be great if we got to a place where we didn’t need an agency like Domestic Violence Solutions? My dream is to live to see an end to domestic violence, but if it doesn’t happen, then at the end of my life, there will still be support for DVS and for women and children whom domestic violence has rendered powerless.”

Thank you, Leesa.

Chris Casebeer

Chris Casebeer joined the DVS Board of Directors in 2000 and has served industriously for the last six years. He speaks tirelessly on behalf of the organization and its work, was instrumental in involving his church (the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara) in our activities, and most importantly, “fathered” Men Against Domestic Violence—a group of men committed to challenging the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that contribute to violence against women.

 Chris also has made a gift to DVS in his will.

“If I don’t do these things now, they won’t get done,” Chris says, explaining why he has made his estate plans now, although he is a long way from retirement age, with two children in college and one on his way.

“DVS is a very important organization in my life, and when I’m not around, I want to make sure the organization is cared for,” he continues. “I believe men and women need peace in their relationships and their lives, and DVS helps people to achieve peace—equitably.

“I’m not in a position to make large gifts from my income now, but when I’m no longer here I will be able to care for DVS by leaving a portion of my assets to the organization and the people it serves.”

Thank you for your generosity and your commitment, Chris.

Jean Schuyler

Jean Schuyler was asked to join the board of Domestic Violence Solutions because of her legendary expertise in nonprofit management and fundraising.  She stayed on, she says, “Because it is such a worthwhile organization, serving such an important purpose—
the protection of women and children in need.”

Jean has devoted much of her life to the support of many charitable organizations and causes, but she chose to remember Domestic Violence Solutions in her will because, “It’s an organization that is essential to women’s continuing health and safety.  I know that the organization provides good services.  I felt that if there was anything I could do to ensure its future, I wanted to make sure I did so.”

Jean not only included DVS in her will, she signed a letter to all of her friends and colleagues encouraging them to do so, as well.

On behalf of all the women and children who will benefit as a result of your generosity, Jean, a very heartfelt thank you!

Lisa Campus

Lisa Campus came to the United States from Yugoslavia in search of a better life.  According to friends, she had a lifelong compassion for struggling people…particularly women and children.  She didn’t talk much about her past, but spent her adult life working to heal people from childhood and other wounds.  Lisa was a deeply spiritual person and wanted her life to serve a meaningful purpose.  Part of that purpose was caring for women and children that she herself would never know.  In her will, she left a gift that reached out to every domestic violence organization in southern California, including Domestic Violence Solutions.  We thank you, Lisa, for your kindness that will benefit women and children for generations to come.

Anonymous

“Cathy” wished her planned gift to remain anonymous to protect other family members.  She grew up in a violent household, the youngest of three girls who constantly witnessed their mother’s abuse by their father, who was also a police officer.  “That made it worse,” Cathy says, “because there was no one we could call. The police were all his friends.”

Cathy’s mother eventually got out, when Cathy was 10 years old.  “She had no job, no way of supporting us, and there were no agencies to help people back then,” Cathy says.  “The only way you could get out was through friends or family members, or maybe the church.”

Although Cathy’s mom “made it,” Cathy holds the abuse responsible for the loss of her closest sister eight years later. 

“She had become a drug addict, and one night she saw something she shouldn’t have and was murdered.  I don’t hold my father responsible for her death, but I do blame the abuse.  I think she turned to drugs to avoid the pain she felt.”

Her experience also has taught her the importance of organizations like Domestic Violence Solutions.  She is “happy to be in a position to help other women and children who are in a position like my mom was in.

“No one should be forced to stay with an abuser.  And women without financial resources frequently are.”

 Thank you, Cathy, for ensuring that other little girls will be spared the pain of your childhood.