Nonprofit founder’s company to aid domestic abuse survivors

A local nonprofit that helps women and men combat domestic violence has started a cleaning company in hopes of creating financial independence for victims of abuse.

Rebeca Ferreira, founder of Safe Faith United, opened RF Cleaning Solutions last year but put the project aside while she was catering to the Survivor Store & Training Center, a thrift shop that closed because of lack of revenue. The store was meant to be a training center and provide an employment opportunity for victims of abuse.

“This company was kind of like my Plan B,” Ferreira said. “I’m always looking at ways to employ victims of domestic violence who are looking for financial freedom.”

Ferreira said she has talked to many women who are in desperate need of jobs and is afraid that many of them will go back to their abusers if they do not find economic stability.

With the help of Francisca Torres, another survivor, the women invested $1,200 to open the cleaning company.

Ferreira said 10 percent of its revenues would be donated to Safe Faith United. The money will go toward rent, operating costs and office materials.

The nonprofit operates primarily with funding from private donors, according to Ferreira.

She also plans to create a training course at the nonprofit that will teach women and men how to properly clean, manage their time and about ethics. Ferreira plans to give hiring preference to those who have survived an abusive past.

Meme Lavoll, co-manager of the cleaning service, said she became involved with the organization after her daughter Brittany was shot to death in 2010 by her ex-boyfriend.

“Domestic violence is a very hush-hush situation,” Lavoll said. “A lot of women involved in situations of abuse don’t have any type of job training. They need experience.”

To get people out of an abusive household, Lavoll plans to work directly with potential clients and set them up with employees.

The service plans to do background checks on all of its employees, and it offers privacy protection, according to Ferreira.

The cleaning company offers house and office cleaning, including after parties and for people who are moving into or out of a home.

Silvia Bibriesca, a mother of six, is hoping to be employed through the cleaning service. She said she left her husband a month ago after dealing with constant abuse.

“He was the one who paid the bills and the rent, but I couldn’t live like that, and I didn’t want to put my kids through that,” Bibriesca said. “I already have experience cleaning. I want to work hard to get ahead for my family.”

Doris Garcia is also hoping to find employment soon. She left her husband in December after he told her he had a gun in his car.

The mother of five is now living with a relative and her children but wants to work to get an apartment.

“I feel good now because I’m not caged up,” Garcia said. “When you have work, everything changes. I want to create a better future for my family.”

There are 10 women on the list waiting to be employed.

“We want to invest in the future of the most vulnerable,” Ferreira said. “If we give them work, then we can give them hope.”

For more information, email rfcleaningsolutions@gmail.com or call 702-624-7110.

Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686.