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San Pedro resident honored with statewide award for domestic violence advocacy

Elizabeth Eastlund of Rainbow Services awarded for work “connecting disparate parties and inspiring solidarity among those coming together to address domestic violence”

October 29, 2018 – Anaheim, Calif.: The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership), a coalition representing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations, and allied individuals, honored San Pedro resident Elizabeth Eastlund with the Partnership Award at its Annual Membership Meeting Reception. In the midst of California’s housing crisis, Elizabeth Eastlund has been instrumental in building connections and networks at the local, state and federal levels between California’s domestic violence field and homelessness service providers—two fields that share much in common, but do not have a history of close collaboration.

“I’ve been working on domestic violence issues for more than forty years and recently had the pleasure of working with Elizabeth Eastlund. She has spent many years insisting that nonprofits, government agencies and funders pay attention to the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness and her work has been critical in these areas,” said Los Angeles County Third District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “We’ve made a lot of progress over the decades and it wouldn’t have happened without her unwavering commitment to understanding and ending domestic violence.”

Prior to joining Rainbow Services as their Director of Programs in April 2006, Eastlund gained valuable experience working for Skid Row Housing Trust, a non-profit housing developer in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles, as their Director of Residential Services. She also worked as the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coordinator for the CARE Program at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, where she continued to gain experience developing programs while providing individual counseling to persons living with HIV. Her knowledge of trauma theory and harm reduction philosophy assisted her in developing supportive housing programs, working with individuals challenged by addictions, and those who have experienced interpersonal trauma.      

Eastlund is responsible for moving Rainbow Services to a client-centered focus through the introduction of trauma-informed care. As a result of her innovative practices, she was featured in a documentary on homelessness, Hope For Our Own: An LA Story, discussing the increased risk of homelessness for victims of intimate partner violence. She was also selected for the 2014 Trans- Atlantic Exchange Program, through the National Alliance to End Homelessness, to explore the implementation of Psychologically Informed Environments in homeless shelters in London.        

“Elizabeth is a tireless advocate for making sure that no one in Los Angeles has to choose between violence at home and no home at all,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Her work has made our people safer, our communities stronger, and our city better.”

In October 2015, when the domestic violence community was facing probable federal funding losses for survivor transitional housing, Elizabeth jumped in and began working with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles City Government and state and national housing advocates. She diligently worked to enhance understanding about the differing needs of homeless domestic violence victims and the broader homeless population. She continues to do this work on behalf of survivors in Los Angeles and throughout the state, emphasizing networking, partnership and collaboration.

“There are few who understand the link between domestic violence and homelessness as well as Elizabeth Eastlund,” said Los Angeles County Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Through her work at Rainbow Services in San Pedro and her broader advocacy efforts, Elizabeth has become guiding force in changing the way we approach supporting survivors and preventing domestic violence countywide.”

Eastlund is the Chair of the City of Los Angeles Domestic Violence Alliance and serves as an Advisory Member to Trauma Informed LA. Because of her work, Rainbow Services was invited to co-lead the DV-Homeless Services Coalition with Downtown Women’s Center. 

“Her advocacy has been pivotal in affecting how homelessness and domestic violence services can collaborate to better serve survivors,” said Rainbow Services Director of Communications and Fund Development Jane Dion, who placed Eastlund’s nomination. “In fact, she has become one of the go-to sources of information for decision-makers considering new homelessness initiatives.” 

About the Partnership

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership) is California’s recognized domestic violence coalition, representing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations and allied individuals across the state. Working at the state and local levels for nearly 40 years, the Partnership has a long track record of successfully advocating for over 200 pieces of legislation on behalf of domestic violence victims and their children. The Partnership believes that by sharing expertise, advocates and legislators can help end domestic violence. Through our public policy, communications and capacity-building programs, we create system-wide change that supports survivors and invests in prevention. Every day we inspire, inform and connect all those concerned with this issue, because together we’re stronger. With offices in Sacramento, the Partnership’s member programs span the entire state. For more information, visit www.cpedv.org.

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