Summer 2016 Newsletter

Transcription

1 Summer 2016 Newsletter Spring 2016 Office News Just like everyone else, we have had a HOT and BUSY summer here at Safe Haven. New programs, fundraisers, grants and new staff has kept things moving. Some of our biggest news starts off with saying goodbye to Alexandra Brown, our Outreach and Prevention Coordinator, and Brooke Banks, our Therapist. We are hiring for both positions! Cindy Kyser is now the Shelter Manager for Safe Haven. She has assisted in hiring two new residential staff members. With new grants we have applied for we hope to be adding to our staff with other positions we feel will benefit the community! As for residents, our shelter has been full with residents for most of the summer. Our transitional housing program is currently housing a family and single client. Construction has also begun on our wheel chair lift, to make the shelter handicap accessible! Fundraisers Success Since May, Safe Haven has hosted THREE successful fundraisers. In May, in conjunction with United Way s Ring in Spring, the Ashland County Sheriff s Office helped us host our annual 5k. We raised over $2,800 and had about 140 participants sign up for the race. Also in May, volunteer Rose Yeo hosted our first ever bowling tournament! Rose was able to raise over $1,000 for Safe Haven. We are appreciative of all the hard work she put into the successful event! Earlier in July our annual O Bryan s poker run was held. From the event we were able to raise over $3,000 and had about 100 participants! Thank you to all who help make our fundraisers so successful!

2 The story of the Rape Crisis Domestic Violence Safe Haven began in 1996 when local professional Jessica McCormic -Eby had a vision to write a grant to the state of Ohio starting a rape crisis hotline in Ashland. She needed a non-profit partner. Keith McCormish, at the time the director of Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, discussed the possibility with Jessica and a partnership was born. In 2005 Appleseed relocated to its new offices at 2233 Rocky Lane. Jessica and then agency director Roger Sikorzsky, began to discuss the possibility of using the former mental health clinic offices for a safe shelter for people in Ashland experiencing intimate partner violence. Jessica spent several months writing grants and gathering support. In 2006 it became a reality. The Rape Crisis Domestic Violence Safe Haven better known simply as Safe Haven, opened its doors. Since that time the Safe Haven has expanded its services to include court and hospital advocacy, education and training, as well as multiple community support groups. The full time staff has grown from one to four with over a dozen part time or on-call staff. The Safe Haven services an average of 3100 people between all of its community programs. Local dollars donated privately as well as through the Ashland County United Way, Mohican Area Community Fund combined with local, state and federal grants allow the Safe Haven to operate its many programs. On behalf of the board, administration and staff of the Safe Haven and Appleseed we want to thank the community for your ongoing support. Together we can make a difference and save lives. Jerry Strausbaugh EdD LPCCS Executive Director Appleseed CMHC

3 1,157 days of care have been provided at the shelter 22 individuals & 14 families have been served From January 1st-June 30th, 2016 we received 166 crisis calls From January 1st to June 30th, 2016 Staff have helped victims and survivors complete 98 safety plans

4 Branches of Hope Sexual Assault Support Group Every Tuesday Every Monday Noon-1p 6p-7p Safe Haven Safe Haven Hosted by Jennifer McWilliams Childcare provided Jail Support Group Every Wednesday Domestic Violence Support Group 10a-11a Every Tuesday Participants must be incarcerated 6p-7:30p Hosted by Cindy Kyser Dinner available for participants Childcare provided Counselor available for play therapy with children who attend Hosted by Cindy Kyser With all of our support group changes, we have also added on with another support group. This group is held at the Ashland County Jail and available for any victim who is a victim or survivor of domestic violence. The group has been a success thus far. Since it has began in June we have had up to 15 participants. We are thankful for the support from the Ashland County Sheriff s Office so that we can continue to help in different aspects of the community.

5 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month October is domestic violence awareness month. We have many events planned for the month, with information that will be sent out to you in the upcoming months. If you would like to help promote the month for Safe Haven or with your agency, please contact Jennifer McWilliams at Safe Haven. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been the victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. October is domestic violence awareness month, which gives us a month to spotlight the prevalence of domestic violence and what we can do to prevent it. Please join us in helping to promote the month! If you do not want to reach out to us, here are some things you can do: Support those who confide in you about domestic violence Organize a fundraiser for your local shelter Volunteer for your local shelter Educate yourself and others on the topic of domestic violence Attend awareness events put on by the community or agencies in your community who are promoting the month Wear a purple ribbon! When asked why you wear purple you can respond by saying: it is to celebrate those who have survived and to honor victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence

6 Lunch and a Movie Prayer Breakfast Safe Haven will be hosting a prayer breakfast for all church leaders in Ashland County, October 3rd at 7:30am. The event will be held at Appleseed CMHC. Breakfast will be available and a speaker from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network will be attending and speaking on domestic violence in faith based communities. Invitations for the event will be sent out in August. We will also be hosting a screening of the documentary Private Violence on October 19th from Noon-1pm., at Appleseed CMHC. A boxed lunch will be provided for those who attend and the movie will be open to task force members and our partner agencies and their employees. Private Violence is a documentary which captures domestic violence through two sets of eyes, from an advocate and a victim. This movie could be triggering for some. Other Events & Happenings: Candlelight Vigil: In Ashland, October 6:30pm. Location is the Corner Park Candlelight Vigil: Loudonville, Date, time and location TBA Staff and volunteers will be passing out purple ribbons to agencies in the community Banner honoring 8 victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence in Ashland County will be located in different agencies for the month of October

7 Domestic Violence in the Workplace Domestic Violence can effect the workplace in several ways. Domestic violence can effect not only the victim, but also co-workers of the victim and the work environment as well. The annual cost of lost productivity due to domestic violence is estimated at $727.8 million with over 7.9 million paid workdays lost per year. Many times employers and even employees believe that domestic violence is a private matter or a family issue. In most cases, victims do not share that they are being abused by their partner for fear that they will be terminated from their job. Between 21-60% of victims lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from the abuse. If an employer suspects that they are being abused, it is their duty to take steps to protect the workforce. Since domestic violence is still seen as something that happens in the privacy of one s home or relationship, many employers are not comfortable reaching out to the victim or offering assistance. Here are a few signs that a victim may be showing that they are being abused, remember it is usually a pattern, and not a single incident. Absent or late to work often Frequent injuries, often time unexplained Requests time off for court appearances Visits from the employees partner to the workplace, which are not welcomed or unexpected Employer receiving an unusual amount of phone calls, texts, and s from their partner Nervous behavior, emotional distress How Can You Help? Be clear your role is to try and help and NOT judge Communicate that you are concerned for their safety Tell them that you believe them and what is happening is wrong Arrange their work schedule so they are able to seek help during the day without their abuser knowing Respect their privacy Different laws apply for different states. Please make sure you educate yourself on those laws. For more information and education please contact Safe Haven!

8 Level 1 Volunteers Requirements 2 hours of training Background check Job Duties Cleaning Help with events Distribute Safe Haven Materials Organize donations *Does not work with clients Level 2 Volunteers Requirements 10 hours of training Background check Job Duties Provide childcare Help with events Office help Be a part of fundraising team *May have some contact with clients Level 3 Volunteers Requirements 40 hours of training Background check Own transportation Job Duties Hospital/Court Advocacy Answer Hotline Public Speaking Much more! *Works directly with clients

9 Below is a comprehensive list of donations needed by Safe Haven Cleaning Supplies Clorox wipes Laundry detergent Dish soap Trash bags Paper towels Fabric softener All purpose cleaner Window cleaner Magic erasers Lysol spray Kitchen/Household Items Silverware sets Food storage containers Pots and pans Kitchen towels Bath towels Pillows Blankets Twin sized comforter sets Paper plates, cups, etc. DVD s (G & PG rated) Hygiene/Beauty Products Shampoo/Conditioner Baby shampoo/soap Bar soap/body Wash Razors Toothpaste/Toothbrushes Deodorant Face wash Baby diapers of all sizes Baby wipes Make-up Brushes/combs Nail polish/remover Body spray/perfumes Clothes Items Belts Flip flops Socks Underwear Food Items Flour Sugar Kool aid mixes Canned foods Pasta Pasta sauces Cereal Salt/Pepper Tea Coffee Coffee creamer Cake/brownie mixes Misc. Items Forever stamps Umbrellas First Aid kits Over the counter medicines Journals School supplies Backpacks Adult coloring books Gift cards *All items donated must be NEW. At this time we cannot accept clothing donations unless they are NEW!