Celebrities, community leaders and concerned citizens all gathered to raise funds and awareness for Face Forward, at the Roberto Cavalli store, in Beverly Hills. Face Forward founders are renowned plastic surgeon/biochemist Dr. David Alessi and his wife, business partner/ CEO of Alessi Skin Care, Deborah Alessi, who along with Bradley Smith, store manager of Roberto Cavalli, of Beverly Hills hosted the event. The evening showcased fashions by Roberto Cavalli to help benefit Face Forward, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded by the Alessi’s that provides pro-bono physical reconstruction and emotional healing to victims of domestic violence/gang related disfiguring crimes. The design powerhouse donated a percentage of the evening’s sales to Face Forward.
“We went to shelters and spoke with domestic violence victims and saw a need for more than reconstructive surgery to correct physical wounds,” David said. “Women and children need social and psychological help to rehabilitate. It’s difficult for them to talk about what they’ve been through. They are scared to ask for outside help because they are afraid they will be found by their abuser. They are in hiding; almost like a witness protection program.”
The commitment the Alessi’s put forth is not simply admirable, it saves lives and those who need help, get
it. Alessi’s are supported not only by a community, but a nation who sees the need to STOP looking the other way and START getting involved. Deborah points that violence has a ripple effect that moves through generations. “People don’t understand why women stay in abusive relationships, she says. “The truth is they are emotionally blackmailed. Abusers make women feel they are worthless. Abusers play mind games with victims making them believe that they are at fault for what happens. Abusers bully their victims into believing that they cannot make it without them and have no option but to stay. Women believe it. They believe they are the cause of the abuse and, they believe they deserve it.”
Plastic surgery removes the scars of violence and psychological counseling offers victims the confidence to get out and stay out of violent relationships.
“We work with several shelters that email us information about women and children they have. From what they tell the counselors at the shelters, we determine who is willing to accept our help. One woman was living in a car with her daughter and we had to get her help immediately,” David explained.
Face Forward protects, educates and offers victimized women and children a new future. “We want to help every- one,” Deborah stated. “Unfortunately, we have to be selective of the women we bring to the program because some are not mentally ready to have surgery, or not ready to leave their abusive relationship. Some leave one abusive partner only to move on to another who is also violent. We look for women who make the commitment to leave their violent partner and are willing to start rebuilding their lives”
The event offered a platform for the Alessi’s to speak on the dedication of the Face Forward staff who offer services without charge and include: Dr. Ivan Brooks, Dr. Al Jumper, Walid Chaya,
Moses Sequeira and Shannon Walford. Approximately 90% of donations go to treatment and recovery. “Face Forward helps battered women and children rebuild their lives,” said Bradley Smith, Roberto Cavalli store manager. “We are proud to support Face Forward as they generously give people a second chance at a better life. This is a very courageous and giving organization. This proved perfect timing for Roberto Cavalli who started this year making a decision to become involved with local charities.”
Domestic violence occurs every 15 seconds in the United States; about 2.5 million victims a year. Face Forward partners with communities throughout the U.S. to recognize and respond to women and children affected by violence. “We want victims to know that nothing is hopeless. There is help and there are people they can trust and turn to,” Deborah said. “Now it’s up to each of us to come forward and help.“
