TUCSON, Ariz. — Emerge! Center Against Domestic Violence is asking for money on Arizona Gives Day to get more supplies for victims of domestic violence.
CEO of Emerge! Ed Mercurio-Sakwa said they serve about 6,000 people a year and the number seems to be growing.
"The needs are endless unfortunately, and the resources are finite for us," Mercurio-Sakwa said. "Usually, one of the things we're always trying to grab more dollars for, and more resources for, is our emergency services."
Mercurio-Sakwa said Emerge! provides an emergency shelter for people fleeing abuse. Sometimes those people are in physical danger and need to leave their current situation in order to stay safe.
They serve about 6,000 people every year, he said, and that number is growing, because more people are reaching out.
Jessica Escobedo, whose mother died after being in a relationship where her boyfriend abused her, said she wishes she knew about Emerge when her mom was still alive.
"They know the next steps, they know how to talk to women that are in a domestic violence relationship," Escobedo said.
Escobedo's mom was in an abusive relationship for eight months before she died.
"He hit her, over and over and over," Escobedo said. "He kind of tried to provoke a fight. She would go to bed. He wouldn't leave her alone."
Emerge plans on using the money they get from Arizona Gives Day to get more supplies for their victims.
"They are (victims) generally grabbing a garbage bag or two on their way out the door, shoving stuff in there and leaving lots of important things behind, including some very basic needs," Mercurio-Sakwa said.
For more information on how you can donate for Arizona Gives Day, go here.
