ST. PAUL, Minn.—The Center for Victims of Torture™ (CVT) is today presenting its annual Eclipse Award to Annunciation House, an organization founded to serve refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants at the U.S. southern border, and to Ruben Garcia, its executive director. The award is presented each year to an individual or organization that has played a crucial role in ending torture or in extending care and rehabilitation to torture survivors.

Annunciation House founder and Executive Director Ruben Garcia will accept the Eclipse Award this evening in Washington, D.C., at a reception held to honor the organization’s more than 40 years of work to help refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers, many of whom are torture survivors.

Since 1978, Annunciation House has served refugees, asylum seekers and the economically vulnerable in the border region through education, hospitality and advocacy. Built on a foundation of faith, Annunciation House is deliberately immersed within the communities they serve.

“For four decades, Annunciation House has provided vital and desperately-needed support to tens of thousands of individuals and families fleeing violence, struggling financially or seeking legal assistance,” said Curt Goering, CVT’s executive director. “With hundreds arriving at the border every day and no immediate end in sight to the humanitarian crisis in and around El Paso, the work of the people in this organization has never been needed more than at this moment. The lives of literally thousands of survivors have been transformed because of their dedication. Indeed, the world is a better place because of their tireless efforts.”

CVT presents the Eclipse Award each year on or around June 26, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. On June 26, 1987, the United Nations Convention against Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment went into effect. Events are held around the world honoring and celebrating this day.

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The Center for Victims of Torture is a nonprofit organization headquartered in St. Paul, MN, with offices in Atlanta, GA, and Washington, D.C.; and healing initiatives in Africa and the Middle East. Visit cvt.org