Family of late singer Jenni Rivera opens women's shelter in her honor

Friday, May 20, 2016
Family of late singer Jenni Rivera opens women's shelter in her honor
The family of late singer Jenni Rivera is honoring her memory with a new refuge home for women and children who are victims of abuse.

A new refuge home for women and children who are victims of abuse is opening, fulfilling a dream of late singer Jenni Rivera.

Rivera, who was from Long Beach, was one of the best-selling Mexican banda music artists before she died in a 2012 airplane crash.

She had always talked about helping other women out, reflecting on the difficult times in her own life, family members said.

"I remember having conversations with my mom about her wanting to convert our home in Corona into a woman's shelter and that was her dream," said the singer's daughter, Chiquis Rivera.

Now that dream is a reality, as the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation is partnering with Long Beach-based New Life Beginnings to open their first refuge for women and children who are victims of abuse.

The 24-hour emergency home named Jenni's Refuge has 15 bedrooms and can house up to 35 women and children. Food, clothing and social services will be provided.

Rosie Rivera says her superstar sister gave back to the community because her life wasn't always so easy.

"There were times that she lived in a garage. There were times she didn't have a car and only had a bike. She had two kids and was pregnant with her third. My sister never stopped fighting."

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