SAN DIEGO March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Join The Crime Victims Fund as we commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week on Friday, April 15, 2011, at the Rooftop Beach at the W Hotel from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  

At approximately 6:10 p.m. San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and County Sheriff Bill Gore will release 100 butterflies in honor of San Diego victims of crime. "This butterfly release is a silent but strong symbol of the meaning of National Crime Victims' Rights Week." Wings of Hope donated the butterflies.

The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) is now in it's 28th year of providing emergency financial assistance to victims and their families whose lives have been devastated by crime. "Our Emergency Victim Assistance Program is a safety net to preventing homelessness and hunger among low-income crime victims throughout San Diego County," said Meredith Levin, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. "Our services come with privacy and without red tape."

The Crime Victims Fund is located within the Family Justice Center, which opened its doors in 2002. "The Family Justice Center is the most comprehensive location in San Diego for victims of family violence and their children." Said Lt. Lori Luhnow, Executive Director, "It's an innovative approach to serving victims of violence, who can come to one location to talk to an advocate, secure a restraining order, plan for a safe exit, speak with a police officer, meet with a prosecutor, receive medical assistance, counseling, chaplaincy, transportation assistance, or obtain wardrobe, nutrition or pregnancy-related services under one roof.

The Crime Victims Fund is working with the San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation to increase the amount of butterfly friendly habitat located in the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park as a permanent memorial to crime victims.  For more information, contact Patti Colston at 619-906-0480.

The Rooftop Beach is located at 421 West B Street, Downtown San Diego. It is a restaurant and nightclub upstairs in the W Hotel.  There will be complimentary hors d'oeuvres, a no-host bar, and an opportunity drawing.  Admission is a $10.00 charitable contribution, which is waived for media representatives so please join us in commemorating National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

SOURCE Crime Victims Fund