Businessman donates to YWCA

GLENDALE — A Glendale businessman has donated $3,200 worth of spa treatments to YWCA of Glendale employees who provide counseling and shelter to domestic violence victims.

Cos Foundation Inc. founder Cos Delli on Wednesday provided 32 gift cards to Ra Organic Spa in Burbank worth $100 each to YWCA.

The YWCA of Glendale is located at 735 E. Lexington Drive and is devoted to domestic violence issues. The YWCA Domestic Violence Project provides confidential, emergency shelter at Sunrise Village and transitional housing at Hamilton Court.

The project also provides outreach, education, counseling and training at the Woman’s Center in south Glendale, according to the YWCA website.

Delli grew up in an abusive home and often saw his father hitting his mother, he said.

“I became a caretaker, helping my mom deal with my father,” Delli said. “In my 30s, I had a breakdown because I never really dealt with it. I wanted to give the caretakers something to help them deal with what they see.”

YWCA Case Manager Raquel Ortiz said she is looking forward to unwinding at the spa.

“We are always filling someone else’s cup, but nobody else thinks about filling our cups,” she said. “It’s nice to see somebody is thinking about us.”

The donations will give employees who work with domestic violence victims the opportunity to take care of themselves, said Dr. Kathie Mathis, director of domestic violence programs at Glendale’s YWCA.

Mathis said professionals — such as police officers, social workers, doctors and nurses — often suffer from secondary stress trauma, which has symptoms including stress, eating disorders, drug and alcohol use, depression and compassion fatigue.

People who work with trauma victims also become easily angered by victimization, she said.

“When you hear stories of that kind all the time, it kind of becomes your trauma as well,” Mathis said.

Mathis said a high rate of employees who work in social services quit due to the stress of dealing with trauma victims. But she says work environments for employees in social services can be improved to better support their emotional and psychological needs.

“Agencies need to provide a safe environment resolving conflict,” Mathis said.

Mathis holds a monthly meeting at the YWCA, during which she teaches social workers about empowerment and handling stress.