I don’t know if giving back to your community is a learned thing, but I know that as a kid, I watched my mom volunteer for countless good causes. She did so while taking care of three kids, running a household, working on the family business, and going through chemotherapy on and off for 5 years. So this was my example; no matter what you’re going through, someone else has it worse and needs your help. She’s been gone for more than a decade, and people still remember her for her community service efforts. Because of her (and probably many other reasons), I have been driven to give back, no matter how busy I am. In past years, it’s been a little difficult; the stress of running a business, having a baby, and sticking with the commitments I already had became more than enough for me and I really had to step back from that work to focus on family. But for the last several months, I’ve been working on something special.

I was introduced to Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse through my mother in law, who’s very involved. I’ve volunteers throughout the years at AVDA events, and been to a number of their fundraisers. I’ve learned what an amazing and needed orgazation it is. They’ve helped thousands of women who couldn’t afford it escape domestic viloence situations, given them legal counsel, helped them with their educations, and even provided counseling to abusers to help break the cycle of violence… the list goes on and on.

With this in mind, I have assembled a group of Houstonians who embody what it means to be selfless and use their voices for good for a campaign that will raise awareness not only about domestic violence happening in our city, but that AVDA exists and is providing help to those who need it right now.

This past weekend, this amazing group of about 20 individuals came together to hear from an actual AVDA client who escaped a terrible situation with AVDA’s help, and for a photoshoot that will spread the word about AVDA’s mission. In the coming weeks, there will be more details here at The Cuteness as to how you too can get involved. It’s incredibly easy (it involves taking and posting a picture of yourself, you do that anyway, right?) and I’d love for everyone to be a part of it.

Stay tuned…