Dedicated to helping women and children suffering from domestic violence, sexual assault and even human trafficking, Turlock native and “Women of Worth” founder Sandy Escobar-Schmidt was recently honored by a prestigious home magazine recognizing five women across the nation who “represent the best in American caring and giving.”

In a recent issue of Traditional Home Magazine, Escobar-Schmidt was selected as one of the five women receiving their annual “Classic Women’s Award.” Honoring five women from across the U.S. each year, Traditional Home magazine seeks to recognize women making significant differences and positive impacts within their community.

After growing up in Turlock, Escobar-Schmidt now lives in Grass Valley where she continues to help victims of domestic violence. Having been a victim herself, Escobar-Schmidt says that she saw a lack of help and resources available for those living in violent situations, making it difficult for many women and children to safely leave their homes and abuser.

Once she and her children were free from the dangerous environment they lived in, Escobar-Schmidt decided to dedicate herself to helping other victims while also providing public education about domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. As the founder of Women of Worth (WOW), a well-known and respected organization helping victims of domestic violence in Nevada and Placer Counties, Escobar-Schmidt helps women and children gain the courage to start a new life with strength and self-confidence to avoid returning to the violent environment they had been in.

Through Hetty’s Haven, WOW offers short-term shelter and long-term transitional housing in addition to various free services such as educational and career assistance, legal assistance, and  advocacy and case management. Due to such services, Escobar-Schmidt says that she can see the victims’ becoming less afraid and ready for change, telling Traditional Home that the greatest gratification is “to see fear gradually leave a woman and her children’s eyes, as they realize they are truly safe.”

"I learned that I could become independent. I could raise my children in a home free of terror. I could recover my self-esteem, my strength, and my stability,” said Escobar-Schmidt to Traditional Home. “As a survivor of domestic violence myself, I had longed for the kind of support, resources, and education that WOW provides on a daily basis for our clients and community members who are in need. I wanted to provide that for other women."

To learn more about Escobar-Schmidt and Women of Worth, visit www.women-of-worth.org.