Commander Monica McGrath

CAMARILLO, CA – Interface Children & Family Services announced today that Commander Monica McGrath of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office has been selected to receive the inaugural “Domestic Violence Champion for Change” Award at its “Love is Brewing in Paris Champagne Luncheon & Tea,” on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel at 2 Dole Drive in Westlake Village.

The Domestic Violence Champion for Change Award honors individuals and organizations making a significant contribution to ending violence against women. Commander McGrath, a pioneer for women in Ventura County law enforcement, is being recognized for her longstanding commitment to providing advocacy to survivors of abuse and trauma since she joined the Sheriff’s office in 1987. Now Chief of Police for the City of Camarillo, she has also served as acting Chief of Police for the contract city of Fillmore, Thousand Oaks Detectives/Sexual Assault Unit, Camarillo Detention Services, and Internal Affairs Investigator. Commander McGrath will also deliver the keynote speech addressing the high rates of domestic violence in our region.

Proceeds from Love is Brewing in Paris Champagne Luncheon & Tea, presented by Ventura County Credit Union, will benefit Interface Children & Family Service’s Family Violence Intervention Programs that deliver comprehensive support to prevent, interrupt and end the cycle of violence within families throughout the Ventura County region. Interface provides a broad array of programs and services for victims of domestic violence, including a 24-hour emergency response team, emergency and transitional shelters, and My Body Belongs to Me and Teen Dating Violence Prevention programs provided free of charge to thousands of school-age children, parents and educators annually.

Love is Brewing attendees will enjoy a Paris-themed Champagne Reception sponsored by Neiman Marcus Topanga while viewing the new art exhibit, Project Hope which showcases art created by Interface clients who have been empowered to live a violence-free life. Emcee, Amy Ashton, a stand-up comedienne, will make our day memorable, rejuvenating and entertaining. Amy has been a writer for the late Joan Rivers, HBO and Comedy Central and is a corporate motivational speaker. Guests will also be treated to live authentic Parisian cafe music by Woodland Hills accordionist, Al Di Cicco, who has been featured on Oprah Winfrey’s “Master Class” and Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” A special silent and live auction presented by United Agencies Inc. Insurance will give guests the opportunity to bid on luxury gifts, entertainment packages, and one of-a-kind experiences.

This event is made possible by the generous support of Ventura County Credit Union, Neiman Marcus Topanga Canyon, Sharon Bass, United Agencies Inc. Insurance, Rabobank, Bill & Elise Kearney, Karen & Thomas Pecht, Pacific Coast Business Times, Wells Fargo Financial Advisors, Kaiser Permanente, Wagner Financial, Women in Corporate Growth, Ron & Judi Polito, Judy & Don Diaz, Nancy & Spencer Garrett, and Bernzott Capital Advisors, Jaguar / Land Rover of Ventura, Prudential Realty, Thomas K. Duncan, D.O. & Jacquelyn D. Ruffin, JD, Julie Harvey & Mieke Miller, Fazio Cleaners, Will Edwards Photography, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, SMI Concepts and British Wholesale Imports. Tickets are $125, Tables are $1,250 and sponsorships are still available. For reservations or more information, visit www.icfs.org or contact Julie Harvey at 805-485-6114, Ext. 628 or jharvey@icfs.org.

About Interface Children & Family Services
Interface Children & Family Services is Ventura County and the surrounding community’s most comprehensive non-profit social services safety net. Our mission is to strengthen children, families and individuals to be safe, healthy and thriving. Founded in 1973, Interface works to prevent and heal the effects of child abuse, neglect and abandonment; domestic violence; family conflict and mental health issues. We have 28 distinct programs representing six major service areas, including youth and family strengthening services, mental health, family violence intervention, justice-involved families, community development and 2-1-1 information and referral across all socioeconomic levels.

Interface operates our region’s most comprehensive domestic violence program, including shelter, support and counseling. The 2-1-1 Information and Referral service, a 24-hour comprehensive helpline for available no-and-low cost county support services was the first 2-1-1 in our state, developed by Interface.

Serving approximately 24,000 local individuals annually, plus assisting 150,000 people across the state in need through the 2-1-1 Helpline, Interface offers effective solutions to the urgent needs of families and individuals in crisis. This important work is sustained through donations and grants from individuals and organizations, as well as by the work of dedicated volunteers and staff. For more information please contact Interface Children & Family Services at 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd, Suite I, Camarillo, CA 93012 by telephone at 805.485.6114 or visit www.icfs.org.