FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact: Carl Goldman for the

July 9, 2010                                                                SCV Disaster Coalition

                                                                                    661-298-1220

FREE COUNSELING SERVICES OFFERED TO THOSE IN NEED

SCV Disaster Coalition Will Provide Counseling to Bystanders of 4^TH of July Fatality

            The Santa Clarita Valley Disaster Coalition, in cooperation with the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center, will cover the cost of counseling for up to six counseling sessions with counselors from the Child & Family Center to witnesses of the July 4^th  Valencia Boulevard traffic accident and fatality. Anyone who feels they need counseling should call the Child & Family Center's main number at 661-259-9439 and mention they were a witness to the tragedy and would like counseling services.

            In addition, local licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and co-founder of Center for Cooperative Divorce, Dana Schutz Keane, will be organizing a number of other Santa Clarita therapists who will also be available to provide counseling services for those in need.

            “Santa Clarita is a community that pulls together to help one another, especially during times of trials and tragedy.  It is very gratifying to see our residents, nonprofit organizations and business community working together to help one another during this very difficult time,” commented Mayor Laurene Weste.

            The SCV Disaster Coalition (SCVDC) is an all-volunteer alliance of local organizations, businesses and individuals whose mission is to work together to provide supplemental humanitarian relief assistance during crisis situations in the Santa Clarita Valley.  

            Local resident Matilde Garnica was killed and several members of her family were injured when a driver ran a red light at Valencia Boulevard and Citrus Street on July 4, 2010.  Many people present for the 4^th of July fireworks show at the Valencia Town Center witnessed the tragic accident and some have come forward requesting counseling services to deal with their grief.

            The Child & Family Center helps build a healthy Santa Clarita Valley by providing mental health, behavioral and educational services to children, adults and their families. The Center is located at 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway Santa Clarita.

            Dana Schutz Keane, local therapist, can be reached at: 661-286-5267.

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