CHICAGO (Sept. 4, 2014) – The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) along with Autohaus on Edens donated $1,500 to A Safe Place, a leading advocate for eliminating domestic violence in northern Illinois, as part of the CATA’s charitable Chicagoland Dealers Care program.

Charities and civic organizations know that Chicagoland new-car dealers are an integral part of their communities and are often deeply involved in charitable causes. However, dealers rarely receive the recognition they deserve for their ongoing efforts. The CATA designed the Chicagoland Dealers Care program to spotlight the charitable efforts that local new-car dealers already support within their communities and to deliver additional financial support and advocacy to these organizations.

“A Safe Place serves more than 15,000 people each year. We’ve seen this number rise significantly over the past few years and expect that number to climb,” said Karen Szymanski, president of the Board of Directors of A Safe Place. “A Safe Place has been a well-kept secret, but the word is starting to get out, thanks to the help of advocates such as Autohaus on Edens and the Chicago Automobile Trade Association.”

Autohaus on Edens has been committed to helping A Safe Place for 15 years. Autohaus on Edens Dealer Principal Michael Rosengarden involved himself years ago because he saw the need to help a social service organization. 

“People assume social service organizations already receive the funding they need to operate, but that’s an unfortunate misconception,” said Rosengarden. 

Rosengarden, A Safe Place board member for six years, now also heads up the charity’s development committee. He’s proud to help lead an organization that directly helps victims and children witnesses of domestic violence. 

“According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, if domestic violence was to be viewed in the eyes of a disease, it would be called an epidemic as one in four women meet the standards of abuse,” said Szmanski. “We’re thrilled to have ongoing support, in the forms of both financial and time commitment, from Autohaus on Edens and are so thankful for the CATA’s additional generosity and advocacy.” 

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association has been a longtime supporter of local non-profit organizations. Since 1992, the association has raised more than $39 million for significant Chicago charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

For more details on A Safe Place visit www.asafeplaceforhelp.org.