OCTOBER 11, 2018 // 9
COLIN MURPHEY PHOTOS
From left: Norma Hernandez, Jason Schermerhorn and Julie Fluse practice salsa dancing.
tions, The Harbor jumped on the oppor-
tunity.
Hernandez, who serves on several
boards and is involved in various fund-
raisers, feels that, especially for The
Harbor, it’s “good to do something that
is not too somber,” but creates space for
happiness, hope and taking “a little vaca-
tion” from issues that are important but
can be emotionally draining.
As for the dancing, she isn’t wor-
ried about her routine being perfect or
tripping and falling, since the competitors
are friends, neighbors and coworkers.
“We’re just being silly with our friends
for a great cause” – although she has jok-
ingly warned her fellow competitors she
may “go Tonya Harding on all of them.”
Proceeds will support The Harbor in
providing survivor services and main-
taining their confidential emergency
shelter, which was recently reopened in
June.
While raising money, the event also
will heighten awareness about domestic
violence and sexual assault. From a law
enforcement perspective, Schermerhorn
said, The Harbor is “a great resource
and asset” when it comes to providing
advocacy and trauma-informed care for
survivors.
“They give that voice to the victim,”
he said. “These advocates help them to
get resources and safety and security for
their families to protect them. I think
that’s invaluable in our society.” CW
From left: Dane Gouge, Arline LaMear and Dida DeAngelis hold up score cards during a
rehearsal of Dancing with the Clatsop County Stars.