http://www.safepassagelives.org/

December 17, 2010.  On Friday, December 17th, Donna Bella Designs presented Los Angeles-based charity Safe Passage with a donation of 20 designer handbags for women seeking shelter and support from domestic abuse.

"We are thrilled to be able to make this donation," stated Frank D'Souza as he presented the donation to Safe Passage Executive Director Trish Steele. "We hope that our designer bags will help these women to feel better about themselves and give hope for a better tomorrow."

  
(Faces have been blurred for the privacy of the women at Safe Passage)

The Safe Passage Cause

Mr. D'Souza chose Safe Passage as the charity to receive the donation at the end of 2010, and looks to provide continuous support in the years to come. The Los Angeles based charity helps women and children to re-establish themselves in their own homes, new jobs, and new life within 3 months of service. They offer emotional, physical and even monetary support to women and children seeking shelter from domestic abuse.

The vision of Safe Passage, a division of Women Crowned In Glory began ten years ago from the giving spirit of Trish Steele. A woman of integrity and compassion, Mrs. Steele allied her friends and supporters together to create a Non-Profit 501(C)3 Corporation to shelter, educate, equip and direct women and their children to safety and survival of domestic violence.

Since 1992, more than 1200 women and their children have come to Safe Passage looking for shelter and support. Emergency shelter had been provided through the home of Mr. & Mrs. Jim Steele for five years. During 2001-2003 the Safe Passage Home oversaw the first transitional home in Sherman Oaks. The City of Los Angeles awarded Mrs. Steele with a “Certificate of Appreciation” by Council Member Wendy Greuel for her outstanding citizenship and activities enhancing community betterment. The women and children of the families in the home made great personal strides and re-established themselves into their own homes, new jobs, and new life within 3 months of services.

Dilana

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the girl known by age two as Dilana Smith discovered a love for music at an early age, participating in school and church choirs as an escape from an unpleasant home life. Inspired by such visceral singers as Janis Joplin and Tina Turner, she left school at sixteen to follow her own dreams and soon found herself with a promising music career in Holland, becoming one of the country's most coveted live acts. Her 2000 album Wonderfool scored five singles, four videos and a string of touring and festival gigs throughout the region.

By way of Houston, she made it to L.A. and wound up auditioning for "Rock Star Supernova." As one publication noted, "The minute she stepped on the Mayan Theatre stage in Los Angeles in Episode One and performed Nirvana's 'Lithium,' she instantly became the show's frontrunner." Her powerful vocals and undeniable stage presence consistently garnered votes from viewers and the "Supernova" judges. Although most fans expected her to win, Dilana came in second to Canadian vocalist Lukas Rossi during the competition's finale. Unfazed, America's newest rock vixen mounted an initial solo tour this past December and more recently opened for Rockstar Supernova, earning consistently stellar reviews.

While music remains the focus of her life, Dilana is also committed to helping others, especially children. She has given her support to the Lili Claire Foundation as well as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, asking her fans to donate to the cause. "Growing up in South Africa I saw a lot of pain and death. I saw babies die of AIDS. Anything I can do to help prevent that kind of suffering is worthwhile," says Dilana, an artist who is maturing in more ways than one.

Dilana stars in "Angel Camouflaged”, directed by Michael Givens, includes an impressive cast including James Brolin, Warrick Grier (“The Scorpion King: Rise of a Warrior”), Carlos Bernard (TV’s “24”), Terry Serpico (“Army Wives”) and of course Dilana. In “Angel”, Dilana stars as Scottie, a singer who inherits a rundown bar and, with her somewhat less-than-reliable brother, Morgan (Warrick Grier), labors to revive the ramshackle tavern and rekindle her passion for music. The course of restoration will take some wholly unexpected and revelatory turns. For “Angel Camouflaged”, Dilana composed and performed nine songs for the soundtrack including “Airplane”, “Sexaholic”, “Ice”, and “Slaves” to name a few.

Dilana wins Best Actress and Best Music for Angel Camouflaged at the American International Film Festival and Best Actress at the Action on Film International Festival, 2010.

"Oh my god, what a thrill and an amazing adventure this movie has been so far. I simply cannot believe that I won Best Actress again and now Best Music in Film. Simply amazing,” said Dilana. “Again, I would like to thank my dearest friends, Marty and Suzanne Nunez, for making a dream come true! Now it’s time to get back to working my butt off.” Angel Camouflaged and the soundtrack are due to be release early 2011.