Tag: Lumina Alliance

Lumina Nights: Dancing with Our Stars raises more than $400,000 for survivors in San Luis Obispo County

by Community Contributor • May 7, 2026 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance’s signature gala, Lumina Nights: Dancing with Our Stars, brought the community together for two unforgettable, sold-out evenings on May 1 and 2 at the Vina Robles Tasting Room in Paso Robles, raising over $400,000 in support of survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence. Of that total, the STAR dancers alone raised over $115,000 for Lumina Alliance’s essential programs.

STAR dancers included Jeanette Trompeter, County of San Luis Obispo Public Information Specialist; Ryan and Amber Blevins, Community Members; Kris Beal, Paso Robles City Councilmember; Bruce Gibson, District 2 County Supervisor, and Cherie Gibson; Heather Muran, Director of Portfolio Strategy and Marketing at Covelop; and Joel Peterson, CEO of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.

May 1, 2 — Lumina Nights Returns for Two Nights Only in SLO

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2026 • Comments Off

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Lumina Alliance welcomes former Hope Chest Team to launch new thrift store supporting survivors

by Community Contributor • October 21, 2025 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance is proud to announce the upcoming grand opening of Lumina Thrift, a new thrift store in San Luis Obispo, opening at 545 Higuera Street across from Fred & Betty’s on Nov. 17. This new venture brings together Lumina’s mission of supporting survivors with the expertise of a highly respected team known for running one of the most beloved thrift stores in the area.

The entire team, both staff and core volunteers, previously worked at the Hope Chest thrift store, and will continue to bring their professionalism, warmth, and reputation for selecting quality donations to Lumina Thrift. With their help, the shop will continue to be a thoughtfully curated and community-loved destination, now with proceeds supporting Lumina Alliance’s no-cost services for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

Lumina Alliance opens girst transitional housing site for survivors in North County

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2025 • Comments Off

This milestone will be marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Paso Robles. The event is hosted in partnership with the Paso Robles & Templeton Chamber of Commerce and will include a brief program, a tour of the site, and recognition of key community partners.

The property was originally donated to Lumina Alliance in 2000 by Noreen Martin, her late husband Tom Martin, of Martin Resorts, and their family. Their generous gift laid the foundation for what has now become a vital resource for survivors in the North County. Ms. Martin will be attending the ceremony and offering a short speech in honor of this transformational milestone.

Lumina Alliance launches ‘Light the Way’ lifeline vampaign to dustain vital services for survivors

by Community Contributor • April 7, 2025 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance has launched the Light the Way lifeline campaign, a bold three-year, $5 million fundraising initiative to ensure that survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence in San Luis Obispo County continue to have access to life-saving resources. With nearly half of the organization’s funding at risk due to potential federal funding cuts, vital services—including emergency shelter, therapy, and crisis intervention—are in jeopardy.

“For thousands of survivors in San Luis Obispo County, Lumina Alliance is their only lifeline,” said Jennifer Adams, CEO of Lumina Alliance. “Without urgent funding, we risk losing the essential services that help survivors heal and rebuild their lives.”

Lumina Alliance and Must! Charities Partner to Expand Support for Survivors

by Community Contributor • February 4, 2025 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance is honored to announce a vital $963,000 investment from Must! Charities, expanding resources for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence in San Luis Obispo County. This partnership will enhance Lumina Alliance’s donor and volunteer programs, improve crisis and therapy services, and expand housing options—ensuring more survivors have access to safe, stable support as they rebuild their lives.

“This support from Must! Charities will create meaningful change for survivors in our community,” said Jennifer Adams, CEO of Lumina Alliance. “Must! Charities’ commitment allows us to expand our services, reduce wait times for therapy—especially for Spanish-speaking clients—and create a lasting impact for survivors seeking safety and healing.”

Lumina Alliance Receives Generous $75,000 Donation from Dignity Health Central Coast to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

by Community Contributor • November 26, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering those impacted by sexual assault and intimate partner violence, is thrilled to announce a generous unrestricted donation of $75,000 from Dignity Health Central Coast. This gift will help further the organization’s mission to provide prevention education programs and critical services, including advocacy , therapy , emergency shelter , and legal support for survivors in San Luis Obispo County.

Lumina Alliance in SLO Illuminates the Hidden Costs of Intimate Partner Violence During Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance is proud to announce its comprehensive campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, dedicated to shining a light on the often-overlooked impact of intimate partner violence and raising awareness for underserved survivors in our community. This year’s theme emphasizes the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups, including undocumented individuals, transgender people, and those living with disabilities, who are often disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence.

Lumina Alliance in SLO Welcomes New and Returning Board Members

by Community Contributor • August 13, 2024 • Comments Off

The Lumina Alliance Board of Directors guides policy and oversees Lumina Alliance’s work of serving survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence in San Luis Obispo County. Lumina Alliance’s Board aims to be a diverse representation of the San Luis Obispo community and strives to include members from a wide variety of backgrounds and vocations.

SLO County Victim Service Organizations Applaud the Legislature’s Inclusion of One-Time Funding to Protect Victims of Crime, But Look for Long-term Solutions for Victims

by Community Contributor • June 27, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance, CASA of San Luis Obispo County (SLO CASA), the Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center, and San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation (SLOLAF) are relieved that Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature have included $103 million of the $200 million needed in funding for crime victim services. In this year’s budget, programs like Lumina Alliance’s 24-hour Crisis & Information Line, SLO CASA’s advocacy services for vulnerable foster youth, and Victim Witness advocates will continue to serve residents of SLO County. However, funding remains precarious, and additional reductions will likely occur in the near future. Additionally, many competitive grants, such as those that fund SLOLAF’s Family Law Services program and SLO CASA’s grant-funded programs, will still be drastically reduced or cut entirely under the current state budget.

Lumina Alliance Fundraising Event a Huge Success

by Community Contributor • May 6, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance is pleased to announce that the Lumina Nights Gala, featuring Dancing with Our Stars, was an overwhelming and unprecedented success. This inaugural event raised more than $300,000 to support survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence. The event took place at Thousand Hills Ranch in Pismo Beach on April 12th and 13th, 2024, and was attended by a total of 375 guests. The Presenting Sponsor was BHE Renewables who has sponsored Lumina Nights for the past three years. The funds raised at this event will help provide vital services for survivors in San Luis Obispo County and will have a substantial impact on the lives of survivors and their families.

Lumina Alliance announces Shining Light Award Winners

by Community Contributor • March 28, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance is proud to announce this year’s Shining Light Award winners ahead of our Lumina Nights event on April 12th and 13th at Thousand Hills Ranch in Pismo Beach. This year’s recipients come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but have one thing in common: they have chosen to stand in support of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, and their actions have made SLO County a brighter place to live.

Lumina Alliance — January Is National Stalking Awareness Month

by Community Contributor • January 8, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — January 2024 marks the twentieth annual National Stalking Awareness Month, an annual call to action to recognize and respond to this traumatic and dangerous crime. Stalking impacts nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in the United States but too often goes unrecognized and unaddressed.1 It takes all of us – advocates, legal representatives, victims/survivors and their friends and family, and YOU – to recognize and respond to stalking. This month, Lumina Alliance invites you to join our efforts to “KNOW IT. NAME IT. STOP IT.” – this year’s Stalking Awareness Month theme, and help raise awareness about stalking on the Day of Action on January 18th.

Lumina Alliance Invites Community to Take the Pledge for Gun Safety

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2023 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance recently announced a Gun Safety Campaign with the goal of raising awareness on the intersection between firearms and intimate partner violence. As part of the campaign, Lumina Alliance is now inviting the community to take a Pledge for Gun Safety, and to commit to taking action to end gun violence In SLO County.

Guest contribution — Lumina Alliance needs support in asking state leaders to provide ongoing funding for victim services on VOCA Day of Action

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2023 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance is requesting the help of our community to protect vital funding sources during a Day of Action. VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant funding is expected to be significantly reduced in the 2024 fiscal year by almost 37%. This funding source supports several key services in San Luis Obispo County, including CASA-Voices for Children, Victim Witness, and Lumina Alliance. These services are directed at some of the most vulnerable members of our community-survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence, abused and neglected children, and other victims of crime. Join the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence,Valor, Lumina Alliance, and organizations throughout the state on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, for VOCA Day of Action by contacting your state legislators.

Lumina Alliance Launches Gun Safety Campaign

by Community Contributor • November 8, 2023 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Intimate partner violence can happen without the presence of a firearm- but an abuser having access to a gun can make dangerous situations turn deadly. Nearly two-thirds of intimate partner homicides in the United States are committed with a firearm, and when abusers have access to firearms, women are 5x more likely to die. This violence is also not isolated to one relationship or household- almost 60% of mass shootings are domestic-violence related. Domestic violence restraining orders – an order issued by the court when they find that someone poses a potential threat of violence to a former or current intimate partner – are a necessary tool in protecting our communities from gun violence.

Lumina Alliance Recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

by Community Contributor • October 4, 2023 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance is recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, and inviting all of SLO County to join us this month in shining a light on domestic and intimate partner violence.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched in October of 1987, with the goal of uniting and connecting organizations and people working to end domestic and intimate partner violence across the country. Over 30 years later, DVAM continues to be a time for collaboration, advocacy, and connection with the goal of raising awareness of the impacts of domestic and intimate partner violence. Lumina Alliance is proud to participate in DVAM, and to continue shining a light on intimate partner violence in our community.

Lumina Alliance collaborates with San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation, furthering its commitment to bring quality legal services to survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking

by Community Contributor • June 8, 2023 • Comments Off

As of February 1st, 2023, San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation (SLOLAF) and Lumina Alliance have collaborated to bring high quality, free legal services to survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking in San Luis Obispo County. Legal assistance for survivors, previously provided by Lumina Alliance, will now be provided solely by SLOLAF. This collaboration allows for continued extensive, wrap-around care for those impacted by power-based violence. Survivors wanting to access SLOLAF’s family law services can contact them directly at (805) 781-6418 or email them at familylawintake@slolaf.org

Lumina Alliance receives $600,000 grant to prevent violence in schools

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2023 • Comments Off

Lumina Alliance has received a $600,000 grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand parenting, healthy relationships, and sexual health education in local elementary, middle, and high schools over the next 5 years.

In collaboration with the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Lumina Alliance will support parents, caregivers, and youth by providing them the tools necessary to prevent sexual and intimate partner violence before it starts through three innovative programs.

Bilingual report — Lumina Alliance launches campaign supporting parents of school aged youth

by Community Contributor • December 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Lumina Alliance is launching ReDefine Parenting: An educational program focused on improving the social, emotional and physical well-being of children and pre-teen boys.

Parents are tasked with an impossible job: Raise and educate children, while navigating life and family, with no guidance or resources, in the midst of a changing and turbulent world. ReDefine Parenting aims to support parents and caregivers by providing them the tools to tackle some of the most difficult and nuanced issues facing youth today.

Lumina Alliance & Cal Poly Safer Welcome October as Dating & Domestic Violence Action Month

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2022 • Comments Off

A Theme of “We Deserve” calls attention to the rights of all people in relationships SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance and Cal Poly Safer are calling attention to Dating and Domestic Violence Action Month this October. The theme,…

Lumina Alliance Hosts the Celebrate Community Fun Run & Festival

by Community Contributor • August 9, 2022 • Comments Off

The first annual Celebrate Community Fun Run & Festival, presented by BHE Renewables, will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 10am-2pm at the beautiful Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo. October is Domestic Violence Action Month and this event invites community members to join us in support of the movement to end gender-based violence in San Luis Obispo County.

This is the first community-centric event celebrating the merging of two prominent community organizations (RISE & Stand Strong) into one new organization – Lumina Alliance. Emcee Adam Montiel will host a day filled with music, a silent disco, resource fair, makers market, raffle prizes, and many family-friendly activities. Food, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. This event will be fun for all ages!

Lumina Alliance Welcomes April as Sexual Assault Action Month

by Community Contributor • April 8, 2022 • Comments Off

Throughout April, there are many opportunities for community members across the county to learn more about sexual violence, actions they can take to prevent it, and how to foster healthy relationships in their lives. Lumina Alliance and our sister agency, Cal Poly Safer, have planned a series of events for the month of April. Some highlights include:

Lumina Alliance Welcomes October as Domestic Violence Action Month

by Community Contributor • October 4, 2021 • Comments Off

Lumina Alliance is renaming Domestic Violence Awareness Month to Domestic Violence Action Month. The goal is to encourage the community to be proactive in preventing violence through education and purposeful parenting.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience some form of violence by a partner. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. These startling numbers are beyond the capacity of most service providers, which is why Lumina Alliance is emphasizing the importance of prevention and community education to stop violence before it starts.

“We are calling on community members to be advocates for change and break the cycle of violence that is all too common,” said Lumina Alliance CEO Jennifer Adams. “Individual actions create a ripple effect that brings lasting change and promotes healthy relationships everywhere.”

Lumina Alliance Receives Grant from The Community Foundation SLO County and Opportunity to Thrive Initiative

by Community Contributor • August 10, 2021 • Comments Off

Lumina Alliance received $35,000 in funding from the Opportunity to Thrive Initiative and The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County. This grant will be used to help survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence exiting Lumina Alliance’s emergency shelters overcome barriers to their self?sufficiency.

Lumina Alliance launches county-wide campaign supporting youth and pre-teen boys

by Community Contributor • August 2, 2021 • Comments Off

After merging into one organization, Lumina Alliance (formerly known as RISE and Stand Strong) is launching its initial prevention project, ReDefineSLO: A social marketing campaign focused on improving the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children and pre-teen boys.

ReDefineSLO, which launches August 2nd, is an innovative approach to preventing sexual assault and intimate partner violence in San Luis Obispo County. The campaign aims to empower parents and caregivers with the tools to engage pre-teens in tough conversations about their social and emotional health, in order to end violence before it ever takes place.