NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Khalisa Jacobs, (202) 824-0707 x104, kjacobs@breakthecycle.org
Break the Cycle Announces Amy Sánchez as Chief Executive Officer
New leader brings 25 years in nonprofit and domestic violence experience
to empower nation’s young people
LOS ANGELES, CA., January 22, 2015 – After a nationwide search, Amy Sánchez has been selected as the new CEO for the nation’s leading nonprofit addressing teen dating violence—Break the Cycle. Sánchez brings more than 25 years of experience and advocacy in the domestic violence movement to the organization.
“Young people are not only our future, but our today. Youth experience and perpetrate violence at the largest rates when compared to other ages,” said Sánchez. “I’m thrilled to join this amazing organization and put youth at the center of effective prevention and intervention efforts across the country. Break the Cycle fills a significant gap and is excited to engage in meaningful dialogue and work across the country to end violence.”
Presently, Sánchez is an independent consultant and past CEO of the National Latin@ Network and Co-Executive Director of Casa de Esperanza where she held a variety of leadership roles within the organization during the past 15 years. She also currently serves on the LGBTQ National Domestic Violence Learning Center’s Steering Committee, ASISTA Board of Directors, and the National Family Justice Alliance Advisory Board.
“Amy’s experience in the nonprofit and intimate partner violence areas will serve the organization well as we harness the potential of young people to create social change,” said Rachel Barchie, Break the Cycle board president. “She brings new energy, excitement and expertise that will expand our partnership and spread the message that young people have the power to prevent and end dating violence.”
“As a member of the National Youth Advisory Board, I have a voice in shaping the conversation about what healthy relationships look like to people my age, said Melissa Siegel Barrios, NYAB Board Chair. “Our Board wants to expand our role and work more closely with new CEO Amy Sánchez to help us achieve our goal to inspire more young people to take action.”
“Amy has long been a leader in the movement to end dating and domestic violence,” said Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. “I am looking forward to a continued partnership with Amy – through loveisrespect – to help young people who feel trapped in an abusive relationship, need help and want to build healthy relationships in their life.”
Both bi-lingual and bi-cultural, Amy Sánchez and her teenage children Raúl and Elena live in River Falls, WI.
ABOUT BREAK THE CYCLE
Break the Cycle is the leading national nonprofit organization working to provide comprehensive dating abuse prevention programs exclusively to young people. Whether it’s innovative violence prevention programs, hosting public campaigns or championing effective laws and policies, we inspire and support young people in preventing and ending unhealthy relationships.
ABOUT loveisrespect
Loveisrespect is the ultimate resource to engage, educate and empower youth to prevent and end dating abuse. It is a project of Break the Cycle and the National Domestic Violence Hotline where highly trained peer advocates offer free phone, text and chat services to young people 24/7/365. Teens and young adults can find help and information about dating abuse and healthy versus unhealthy relationships through this national resource by texting “loveis” to 22522 or calling 1-866-331-9474 or visiting loveisrespect.org. A National Youth Advisory Board guide its efforts by providing input on loveisrespect.org, writing blogs for the site, hosting events to raise awareness across the country and generally empowering other young people to take action. To learn more, visit www.loveisrespect.org.