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The number of reported abuse cases are down 45% overall from this time last year, and Amberly’s Place agency is providing services to more adults than children.

“This pattern is really worrisome as it is not in keeping with what we have seen over the last 20 years,” said Diane Umphress, executive director of the family advocacy center, which assists abuse victims in Yuma County and part of Imperial County.

Grand Prize Hawaiian Getaway

7-day/6-night trip to Oahu, Hawaii, for 2 with hotel and airfare included, valid until December 2021; $300 travel money sponsored by Brian Butcher of Edward Jones; and hairstyles for 2 by The Sassy Seale Hair Salon.

Normally Amberly’s Place holds Week in Paradise, its biggest fundraiser of the year, in June, but with the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of businesses, schools and venues, the organization decided to hold off until a better time.

Now is that time. People are tired of staying home and antsy for a great family vacation to a safe location where social distancing is not a problem.

Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) announced Monday that longtime pediatrician Dr. Emilia Matos died early that morning in the care of fellow medical professionals who revered her as a key figure in the local medical community.

According to YRMC, Matos died of COVID-19-related causes.

With Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Amberly’s Place invites community members to “adopt” local families who have experienced abuse. Their donations will help the family advocacy center provide holiday meal baskets to those families who would otherwise not have a Thanksgiving Day.

Diane Umphress, executive director of Amberly’s Place, pointed out that often victims not only leave behind the abuse, but they also lose their source of financial support. As a result, this holiday season, “many families will be left without any type of financial support at all due to abuse,” she said. “As a community, we continue to need your help and support to keep up with the needs of those we serve.”