McCombs Alumni Network News

By Joaquin M. Martinez, Texas MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth, Class of 2007

UT alumni pictured (3 in middle): Michael Minor MBA '07, Mike Kryish BS '93, John Hanson MPA '94

On Wednesday, June 10, my fellow coworkers within the finance organization at Sabre Holdings and I volunteered for an afternoon at the Battered Women’s Foundation (BWF). This was done as a part of my company’s 4th annual “Give Time Together” campaign.

“Sabre employees help the world do even more than travel. They get together and volunteer to make a difference in the lives of others. Because giving back to our communities is at the heart and soul of our company, our goals are to provide charitable giving opportunities, invest in local communities to causes that matter to employees, team-build through fundraising, and engage leadership.”

Over 2,500 employees volunteered almost 12,000 hours with non-profit groups in more than 70 cities and covering 30 countries.

Somewhere around 60 employees arrived at the venue to assist BWF with tasks related to the organization of the two buildings occupied by its residents. We broke out into approximately 10-person teams to perform various assignments that needed to be completed, including: tear-down of a metal shed in the backyard that was no longer needed, painting various rooms and shelves, sorting over 1,000 canned goods, organizing the garage and storage rooms, placing bedding into space-saver bags, verifying donated computers and installing software on those that still work, and even replacing a bathroom sink.

Ben Johnson MBA '08

In an email from Brenda Jackson, founder of BWF, she raved, “Our building has not been this clean and organized EVER!!! It will be so easy for our moms to come in and find the items they need to start over. We are so grateful to each of you!”

In the United States alone, an estimated 4 million women are physically abused by their husbands or live-in partners every year. Many will try to leave—often 5 to 7 times or more—but the odds are against them. Local shelters provide a temporary haven—usually 31 days or less. Further, statistics show less than 30% of them will succeed the first time they leave abusive homes! The others will return to a life of fear, pain and anguish because they see no other option. Over 3,000 women each year are killed in the USA by their partners/husbands.

The BWF recognizes that it takes more than temporary shelter to begin a new life of independence and self-sufficiency: it requires a complete lifestyle change—a change founded in renewed hope for the future. The BWF complements the work of other organizations by providing long-term assistance to women attempting to break the cycle of abuse and hopelessness.

In addition to the expected services such as counseling, emergency food and clothing and temporary shelter, the BWF offers a vital and unique two-year program designed to heal all areas of a client’s life. Clients receive assistance with permanent housing, education, child-care, transportation, job search skills, food and clothing, medical care and, most importantly, rebuilding their self-esteem and giving them hope.

Joaquin Martinez MBA ’07

For further information, visit the Battered Women’s Foundation at http://www.bwf1.com/ or the Texas Council on Family Violence at http://www.tcfv.org/.