LVF

The Soroptimist International Club of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) has helped make the holidays a bit brighter for the men and women served by Live Violence Free, the nonprofit committed to promoting a violence-free community.

Each year the SISLT club president chooses a "President's Project" to complete during their year of service. This year, Club President Louisa Boone decided her project would be to make Christmas Stockings for the 50 women and 10 men the agency serves. Stockings were filled with beanies, socks, teas, gift cards for the men, beauty supplies and jewelry for the ladies.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) and officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) joined forces this holiday to help spread cheer and gifts to children in the community.

On Saturday, December 21, the deputies and officers collaborated to provide a book reading, meet and greet with Santa and gift-giving to the children of South Lake Tahoe. The kids thought they were coming for the popular SLTPD Books & Badges and were treated to a BIG surprise.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each year Azul Latin Kitchen selects a local nonprofit to be the recipient of their fundraising for the year. In 2018, Live Violence Free (LVF) was the recipient of that generosity and today were presented a check for $16,917.50 at a ceremony at Lake Tahoe Community College.

The popular restaurant in the Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe had Tahoe Youth & Family Services as their nonprofit of choice last year and Tahoe Arts Project will get the funds in 2019.

Who would have known a horseshoe game at TJ’s Peanut Farm (now known as Steamer’s Bar and Grill) in 1977 would so greatly impact a community? It was this game that raised the first dollar to fund an organization that would go on to help thousands of South Lake Tahoe community members affected by domestic violence, including more than 1,000 last year.

As Live Violence Free (LVF,) formerly the SLT Women’s Center, celebrates 40 years of serving the community with its annual Sunset Gala on Sept. 15, board members, staff and volunteers are honoring their predecessors.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - - In 1977, Live Violence Free was founded by volunteers with a phone booth and a desire to make South Lake Tahoe a safer, happier place to live.

Many other local nonprofits in the area have similar stories of their origin. South Lake Tahoe’s nonprofit and other service organizations were forged out of volunteerism. Dedicated individuals looking to make a difference have laid the foundation for the strong culture of service that exists in our community.

To further this culture, people need to continue to give time and labor back to the community.

Two South Shore fires and one near the Strawberry Lodge kept crews from Lake Valley Fire Department (LVFD) busy this week.

On Tuesday about 11:30 a.m., a home on Alice Lake Road in the Montgomery Estates neighborhood suffered smoke damage after a fire started in the garage. The fire started in the garage near the furnace and hot water heater and flames were contained to the garage.

LVFD was assisted by South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue.

Jen Kline, a 15-year-employee with Live Violence Free, passed away suddenly on March 18, 2016 at the age of 46. The unexpected death caught everyone by surprise from family and friends to those she served in Alpine County through her position as the non-profit agency's coordinator.

"We were totally shocked," LVF Executive Director Jane Flavin said of Kline's passing.

During Kline's memorial this spring her daughters passed out seeds

A baby’s brain is like a flower, if it’s stressed, it wilts; If the flower is nourished, it blooms.

Those are the telling words used to open the film, Effects of Domestic Violence on Children. As our brains grow, they create a blueprint for every new experience we have, the sounds, the touches and the sights. We may not remember what happens to us as a baby but our experiences are forever etched in our brains and create the building blocks of our lives.

April is a big month for Live Violence Free. It is national Child Abuse Prevention, as well as, Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The entire month is dedicated to honoring victims and survivors of both child abuse and sexual assault. With 80 percent of sexual assault victims being under the age of 30 and a report of child abuse made every ten seconds, it is vital we stand up against the dangers of the abuse. As two of our primary focuses at LVF, we are illuminating the truths and celebrating the efforts to combat the violence directly impacting our community.