Paula E. Hess Humanitarian Scholarship Award

The original C.A.R.E. Scholarship was given to a client (or family member) who had participated in one of our programs. However, we have expanded the scope of our work and have decided to award a yearly scholarship to a deserving Charlotte County High School student. Applicants who are specifically seeking post-secondary education in social work, psychology, human services, nursing, law enforcement, or any other course of study related to assisting survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault are eligible. Students who fit these criteria should fill out the application below and return it to The Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies or call 941-639-5499 for additional information.

In 2018 the C.A.R.E. Board of Directors was delighted to honor one of C.A.R.E.’s founders by creating a scholarship fund in her name

The Paula E. Hess Humanitarian Scholarship Award.

The prestigious award was presented to her at our 30th Annual C.A.R.E. Ball. It was kept secret for months and came as a huge surprise for her.

Click here for the Scholarship Application (PDF)

Download a Brochure (PDF)

Article provided by Florida Weekly

The lives they led Remembering loved ones we lost this year

By Staff | on January 03, 2019

BY NAOMI PRINGLE

Florida Weekly Correspondent

Paula E. Hess

May 15, 1926-April 6, 2018

  Paula Edmond Hess was a formidable leader, inspiring for her dedication to the nonprofit organization Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies, whose mission is, “To help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes in Charlotte County. C.A.R.E. works to create safety in our community by helping survivors and by promoting nonviolent and healthy relationships by education and example.”
Ms. Hess was a founding member of the C.A.R.E. board. Later she was named chairman emeritus, allowing her a permanent vote on the board.
“She was 91 when she passed, and she never missed a board meeting,” said Judith Harris, chair at C.A.R.E. “She was such a wonderful woman. She was a fundraiser, working hard to protect victims of abuse and rape. She had no idea how many lives she touched.
“She was my mentor; she gave me guidance. I could ask her any question. She was always so professional. C.A.R.E. was her baby. I wish she had been my mother.”
Ms. Hess was born in Hawthorne, New Jersey. She worked for the telecommunication company New Jersey Bell and Telegraph. In 1981, she and her husband, William, moved to Florida. He preceded Paula in death in 1988.
Ms. Hess’s list of civic accomplishments runs long and spans 30 years — among them, service on the League of Women Voters, chairwoman of the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board from 1987-2018 and trustee of Charlotte Regional Hospital (now Bayfront Health Punta Gorda) for two years. In 1997, she received the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce’s Pacesetter Award for her service to the community.
In January, at the C.A.R.E. annual ball, the establishment of the Paula Hess Humanitarian Scholarship was announced. The funds are earmarked to help victims of violent crimes continue their education.
Linda Lusk, a member of C.A.R.E., met Ms. Hess in the ’90s. She also looked to Ms. Hess as a mentor.
“We had both worked in telecommunications, so we had that in common,” she said. “I wouldn’t call Paula a feminist, but I knew that, in my day, it was a tough world for women. I can guess how it was in hers. She was a good friend.
And while Ms. Hess might never have missed a C.A.R.E. board meeting, she always left promptly to go play cards with her lady friends at the Isles Yacht Club, Ms. Harris noted.
“I miss her so much,” she said. “Everybody does.”
There is a counter on the C.A.R.E. website — A “rape clock” that shows, “Every 97.8 minutes, an American woman is sexually assaulted.”

That counter is there thanks to Ms. Hess.