Domestic violence crime increased by 15 percent for child and spousal abuse citywide in 2015. Two mothers, Erica Fisher and Melanie Neumann, recognized that effects on children are often overlooked when domestic violence statistics are considered. They are seeking donations to continue to bring joy to the victims affected by the growing crime.

Lilly, left, Bella and Wesley Neumann deliver presents to one of the shelters serving victims of domestic violence. Their mother, Melanie, started the nonprofit Present Now with Erica Fisher. (photo courtesy of Present Now)

Fisher said more than 50 percent of women involved in domestic violence have children. The two mothers founded a nonprofit that serves children affected by domestic crimes in the Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, West Hollywood and throughout Los Angeles County. They launched Present Now to provide gifts to children entering and living in transitional and crisis domestic violence shelters on their birthdays, on Valentine’s Day and when they start a new school year. Since the launch, they have given close to 1,000 gifts.

“[Children] come to the shelter and they leave and come back,” she said. “These kids are subjected to years and years of cycling through shelters.”

Neumann said there were over 496,000 reports of child abuse and neglect in California in 2014. Neumann and Fisher wanted to provide joy to the children when their mother isn’t able to.

“We had known we wanted to do something to help children,” Neumann said. “And I don’t think a lot of people realize what is happening.”

Present Now had the opportunity of getting to know a mother whose situation with her husband involved both physical and verbal abuse.

“He would come home from work and the kids would run to their rooms and hide,” Neumann explained.

Neumann said the woman would go to a family or friends’ place to stay, but after a few days her husband would find her and she would move back. She wasn’t financially stable without her husband. She did not know what to do with her three children and did not know what options she had.

Neumann said Present Now gives gifts to people like that victim so they do not feel forgotten. One of the reasons they give gifts on Valentine’s Day is because it’s the holiday for love, and most women and children who are victims might not know what that means. But Neumann said Present Now continues to choose that holiday after they learned the day after Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest for domestic abuse phone lines.

Neumann said they have also dealt with victims who lived wealthy lives. One mother didn’t want to leave the abusive situation because her kids were used to a certain lifestyle.

“That’s such a testament that it can happen in any demographic with the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich,” Neumann said.

The previously affluent mother loved the restaurant gift cards she received from Present Now because the family could go out to dinner without their abusive father.

At the Alexandria House, at 426 S. Alexandria Ave., directors at the shelter raved to Present Now about the cake ingredients that the organization sent to a boy and his mother on a birthday.

“[Mothers] don’t always have the means to celebrate with children,” Neumann said. “The cake is great for the children and the mothers get to make it for them.”

Neumann said Present Now is always looking for donations, and volunteers can help at each quarterly packing day when they wrap the presents and gifts for the victims.

For more information, or to donate, visit presentnow.org.

For more information about domestic violence in Los Angeles, shelters and agencies that provide medical help and counseling, visit lapdonline.org.