PROPOSAL

Persaphanie Velasco 

Sports and Medical Sciences Academy 

280 Huyshope Avenue

Hartford, CT 06106 

Dear Mrs Boutilier, 

For my senior capstone project I decided to bring awareness to Domestic Violence. I will be volunteering at  Prudence Crandall Center  in New Britain. I will be volunteering there during the week and converse with the survivors there and attempt if they will allow me to hear they’re stories. I have also decided to fundraise money by selling bracelets in the month of October, so that I can donate some clothes or other objects needed due to the fact that when most women leave they don't really pack much because they run hidden. I have chosen to take on Domestic Violence for my capstone because I have seen a lot of women live in abusive homes throughout my life and I even had my aunt turn into an angel because of one. It has to be made more aware from high school when girls are beginning to date so that they know the signs that they are in an abusive relationship. It has to be made known that these abusive relationships are not normal. 

After long thought, I have decided that my research question is, what percentage of domestically abused people actually speak out about their abusive relationships and attempt to leave?  Many people don’t always speak out about being in a domestic abuse relationship and it becomes worse and worse until they finally decide to leave, or sadly don't make out alive. I want more people to know that they don't have to stay there, they have places that will take care of them and help them get ahead in life. And I believe that if girls and boys are aware from an early age about these relations and made aware that if it were to happen there are places they can go to for help. I will be writing down different survivors' stories and how they felt through their whole journey (if they give me permission).  I will also be making bracelets with the color purple to bring awareness to Domestic Violence Awareness Month, as well as taking some pictures while volunteering.

For my capstone I have asked both a prior teacher of mine Mrs.Cookie and a friend named Melissa Arce to be my mentors. I have asked Mrs.Cookie to be my mentor because she is a person who always helps her community and is well involved in it as well, so she will be very helpful in finding the resources that I will need throughout my caption. She can be reached at (860) 833- 2961. I also have asked Melissa to be my mentor because she is someone who been a victim in a domestic abusive relationship and I believe she will be a good mentor because she can be there with me step by step so that I know the correct way to address a survivor and how to be there for them and she will also be able to point me in the correct path. Although I chose a very hard discussion for my capstone project I believe that this will help me get out of my comfort zone of being quiet about this and be able to speak in front of people about a hard subject. It will also help me pull away from needing my mom to help me with everything because I will be the one doing everything on this project. I’ll be making the calls and making all the hard decisions and being responsible for everything. Although I will still have some help there isn't anyone to fall back on like I do with my mom, because I have to do it all myself even though it will be challenging at times. But I believe I made the correct Capstone for my senior year. 

Sincerely, 

Persaphanie Velasco