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  Center Serves Abuse Survivors

By Bill Zajac
Republican [Holyoke MA]
June 28, 2005

HOLYOKE - Organizers of today's open house for the recently created first-of-its-kind clergy sexual abuse Victim Resource Center hope professionals who help abuse survivors will attend the event.

"We'd love to see some attorneys, therapists some mental health agencies and even someone from AA," said Shauna L. Lozada, a case manager and center coordinator.

The center, which will be open to the public 4-6 p.m., was created with a one-year $50,000 grant from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in the wake of the diocese's $7.8 million settlement last summer with 46 alleged clergy abuse victims.

The center serves as a referral center for abuse survivors needing help with things like housing, employment, therapy, substance abuse, emergency food and financial assistance.

"Many people don't know about the center and what it does. We hope the open house informs service providers what we are all about," said Lozada, adding that the center identifies agencies that can help abuse survivors with specific needs.

The center, at the Mount Tom Mental Health Center at 40 Bobala Road, was conceived by alleged clergy abuse victim Martin P. Bono, 50, of Chicopee.

Bono came up with the center idea after learning that many alleged victims in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston struggled with a variety of problems in the wake of settling claims with the church.

"It can be financial counseling or finding a halfway house for someone who has been incarcerated," said Bono. He is pleased that more than a dozen abuse survivors have come to the center for help.

"Every month we are seeing more people. The center is a work in progress. We are learning as we go along."

He said almost all survivors suffer from trust issues and often feel isolated.

"The most powerful thing I can say to them is, 'Yes, I know,' when they tell me what they have experienced," Bono said.

Laura Failla Reilly, the victim outreach coordinator for the diocese, acknowledged the importance of the center in view of trust issues.

"The center affords survivors to get assistance from a nondiocesan source in a confidential manner," said Reilly.

Many survivors do not feel comfortable interacting with the diocese, Bono said.

The center is believed to be the first of its kind nationally.

"I have gotten calls from all over the country of people interested in what we are doing," Bono said.

Patricia A. Stachler, an abuse survivor and advocate from Cincinnati, Ohio, said she wants to help create a similar center.

"There is nothing like it in Cincinnati, and it is desperately needed," Stachler said.

Lozada said abuse survivors can drop by the center or make an appointment by calling (413) 536-5473. It also offers 24-hour crisis support through the Mount Tom Mental Health Center.

"I will even visit a survivor in their home if they feel more comfortable in their own environment," said Lozada, who has begun the process of having the diocese renew the grant.