Meet Bernita R Walker of PROJECT: PEACEMAKERS

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernita R Walker.

Bernita, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am one of the co-founders of Jenesse Center, a Domestic Violence (DV) shelter program in South Los Angeles which was founded in 1980. I worked there for 15 years as the Asst Director, bookkeeper, outreach speaker, client interviewer and any other position that needed to be completed.

From 1992 to 1995, I served as Executive Director. The statistics showed that only three to four % of victims ever go to a shelter. I was moved in my spirit by the inability to address the 96 to 97% of victims who were extremely under-served in DV and co-founded Project: PeaceMakers, Inc on May 25, 1995.

Through my co-founder, Almighty God, I had already been prepared to do the work to move forward. I had been trained through how we started Jenesse Center to know how to form a Board of Directors, file for the necessary non-profit incorporation papers for state and federal, seek housing from another local nonprofit, apply for funding, hire staff, etc., etc..

We applied for and received grants from the County of Los Angeles for DPSS participants; African American Community Center, a division of Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade, to provide meditation to middle school youth in the Bridges after-school program in LAUSD; started Domestic Abuse Response Teams at four LAPD Divisions (77th, Newton, SOW & SOE.

Held multiple Contracts from the City of LA revolving around DV; we participated in every opportunity known to us to address and stop DV. We participate with LA City DV Alliance as well as LA County DV Council. Where I serve as a city council dist nine representative and Chair of Religion and DV Committee co-chair. I am also a DV survivor.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Our biggest struggle is finance. Wanting to serve as many families as possible but limited by staff and ability to pay salaries as well as operating cost. We need additional space to house all of our services but remain within our income. Non-contractual clients, (clients who are not covered in any specific grant), are a huge portion of our clientele. Funders don’t seem to realize that everybody does not go into a shelter. There are a number of reason but the first one is not enough bed space, so it is limiting.

Also, Funders don’t realize that the issue of DV is not a quick fix. It’s not just about getting the victims away from their partners, its entrenched in the existence of trauma being used to induce havoc in the lives of the participants for generations. It takes time to work with survivors to get them and their families moving in the right direction. That’s why there are transitional homes and agencies like ours to keep the healing process moving forward.

There is a lack of understanding about the depth of DV and how it affects every person on this planet.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with PROJECT: PEACEMAKERS – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Project: PeaceMakers, Inc (PPMI) is a non-profit public benefit corporation. We specialize in DV services to the community and surrounding areas. Crisis intervention, restraining order preparation/filing, group /individual counseling in domestic violence, anger management, parenting, life skills.

We are approved by LA County Probation to provide Court Ordered Child Abusers Treatment classes. We train individuals in becoming DV Advocates as per the California Evidence Code 1037.1 and work with local Faith Leaders in addressing DV/intimate partner violence in their congregations regardless of faith practiced.

We are known for one of the top training classes of the 40hr mandated training for advocates. We are known for our desire to work with other agencies to fulfill the need to address all aspects of DV. We are known for helping everyone who seeks our services. If we can’t serve them directly, we will find a place that can.

We’re known for getting restraining orders completed and processed. We are known for the commitment our staff has for helping those in need.

We are most proud of the forward move of our clients to better themselves and live in peace. We have had great success in changing the lives of our clients. Some of the stories can be seen on our website www.projectpeacemakersinc.org.

We are set apart from others because of the quality of our work and the love we show all clients.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Plans for the future include expansion. As mentioned earlier our size limits the amount of people we can serve and areas of issues/trauma that we can address. We want to work with the families in making them stronger, providing better choices and direction for a healthier family foundation.

Looking forward to our 40 hr classes beginning on April 9, 2019, and the other in the fall dates TBA; as well as our “2nd Annual Night of Remembrance” for those who lost their lives due to DV/IPV and those who made it out!

For BIG changes – Where ever God leads us. We work for the Almighty.

Pricing:

• 40 hr Advocate Classes are $300/person which includes dinner and all materials
• Non-Contractual $10/class

Contact Info:

• Website: www.projectpeacemakersinc.org
• Phone: 3232912525 Fax;3232910140
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: PROJECT PEACEMAKERS, INC

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.