Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - On July 7, 2011, the area’s only domestic violence shelter began construction. David Zude, director of the Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter, has been working on fund raising, buying land, and getting permits since October 2008.

“My original idea was to start a home for the elderly, but when I went to social services to discuss my plans, they practically begged me to start a women’s shelter instead as the need was tremendous,” says Zude.

So far, the fund raising committee for Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter has raised $13,000 USD, and an additional $350,000 USD are needed to complete the structure. The the building site was purchased with funds that were donated by Zude and his wife.

After the purchase of the building site a fund raising committee was assembled, thanks in great part to Freda Thompson. The committee consists of: Wendy Allen, Pat Carey, Robin Spencer, Kathleen Palmer, Cheryl Schrean, Freda Thompson, Sterling O’Ran, Valerie Schaffer, Margaret Souder, Georgina Ong, Carmen Henderson and Eddie Rodriguez.

While the team will not actively start fund raising again until October, this past season they hosted a movie night, casino night, and fashion show. You can; however, buy rubber bracelets with the shelter’s motto on it for $50 pesos.

Zude was told by social services that an estimated 50%-70% of women in the state of Jalisco have been victims of domestic violence. Statistics on Zude’s website, CompassionForTheFamily.org, say that a Mexican woman is physically abused every 15 minutes, with an average of 5 deaths per day.

Mexico has one of the highest rates of female homicide in the world, according to the National Commission on Human Rights. Even more startling, in all of Mexico’s 32 states, there are only an estimated 60 domestic violence shelters.

The Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter will be roughly 5,000 square feet and will be able to accommodate 6-8 women and their children with a total capacity of 32 people. Zude’s most optimistic estimate is about a year and a half to raise the funds that are needed and become operational.

If you would like to discuss volunteer opportunities, make a private donation, or ask for more information, contact David Zude at compassionforthefamily(at)yahoo.com.mx, or 044-322-103-2451, or visit the website at CompassionForTheFamily.org. Your tax deductible donations can be made directly from the website.

Also, jot down their upcoming October 27 golf tournament fundraiser on your calendar. The tournament is to be held at Vista Vallarta here in beautiful Puerto Vallarta.