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July 2011 Champion eNewsletter
June 2011 Champion eNewsletter
May 2011 Champion eNewsletter
In This Issue:
As spring arrives, farewells follow
DVRC staff members head to the Capitol
Garden partnerships flourish
Thank you for supporting the Strawberry Shortcake Benefit!
Mark your calendars for Safeway Classic Golf Tournament!
May in-kind donation needs
As spring arrives, farewells follow
Domestic Violence Resource Center says farewell to 2011 class of interns
A short note from Gayle Sheller, our Clinical Services Coordinator:
“Spring’s arrival is always bittersweet at our Clinical Services office because it marks the beginning of farewells to our graduate-level interns, who leave us after a year of service to our clients and our agency. From giving presentations in the community on all aspects of domestic violence, to facilitating groups for children, teens, and adults, our interns make it possible to provide services to more than 200 adults and children each month through our clinical services programs. They complete intakes with clients, provide individual counseling to all ages, present programs to kids and adults at schools and community partners, and offer peer support and consultation to each other. This year’s interns have been a wonderful team of counselors, each bringing unique skills and gifts, coming together from a regional array of graduate programs at George Fox, Lewis and Clark, Marylhurst, Pacific, Portland State, and Western Seminary.
Most of these interns are graduating this summer with Master’s degrees in counseling, social work or art therapy and will continue to provide professionally-skilled and compassionate service in our communities. All of them have been important in the lives of the children, teens and adults they have touched. And they have been important to our staff. Our work would be less inspired, less joyful, and less passionate without them. A big thank you to our 2010-2011 graduate interns! We will miss you!”
We recently held an Intern Appreciation Luncheon, where interns reflected on their past year and shared some of their favorite memories. We want to give special thanks to the community partners that made that Appreciation Luncheon possible:
Our neighbors at Ava Roasteria offered us their beautiful banquet room to host this event. Beaverton Noodles and Company provided delicious eats of various pastas and salads, and Forest Grove’s family bakery Maggie’s Buns satisfied our sweet teeth with donated desserts! We’re very appreciative of their support!
To see our interns in their group photo, head to our Facebook page!
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DVRC staff members head to the Capitol
April 28th was Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Awareness Day
On April 28th, the Oregon Alliance to End Violence Against Women hosted the “Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Awareness Day” at our Capitol. Local domestic violence/sexual assault advocates around the state gathered to meet with legislators and seek their support. Three of our staff attended and met with our representatives, raising awareness about these issues and encouraging them to continue supporting these vital statewide services for victims.
We want to thank Senator Mark Hass, Rep. Tobias Read, Rep. Katie Eyer Brewer and Rep. Jeff Barker for meeting with us last month.
Garden partnerships flourish
Local businesses and faith groups plan (and implement) grand aspirations for Monika’s House Garden
It’s not just the interior that’s getting makeovers at Monika’s House Shelter, the entire exterior landscape will be transformed throughout the next few months!
With our efforts to partner with our neighbors, local organizations and businesses, we’ve met a number of generous folks who are helping us find solutions for our day-to-day outdoor maintenance tasks, in addition to long term sustainability practices with our expansive grounds at Monika’s House. A local men’s group from Solid Rock Church has committed to volunteering three days of work over a span of a few months, tackling projects large and small around the yard. Support from Solid Rock includes pressure washing our exterior walk spaces, weeding, repairs on our ramp & handrails of our handicap accessible entrance, laying bark chips for our fury friends’ kennel area and much more. A local community member and retired Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District employee will be helping trim trees around shelter. We are anticipating the unveiling of our long terms plans next week from our friends at WHPacific and Portland Nursery, which will include creating a children’s garden, community vegetable garden, and incorporating nurturing outdoor living spaces where our clients can continue to heal.
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Thank you for supporting the Strawberry Shortcake Benefit!
2011 most successful year to date!
What a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend! This year’s Strawberry Shortcake was a great success, earning each of the six dv agencies $1,950 to support their programs. We couldn’t have done that without you all! Thank you to everyone who came out, purchased those delicious treats, told friends to join in, and volunteered throughout the day. We’re excited to say it was the most successful Strawberry Shortcake yet!
Special thanks to both the Soroptimist International of Portland and Soroptimist International of Hillsboro, who helped plan and coordinate the entire event, and to all New Seasons Markets for providing the space, supplies, and support to make it happen!
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Mark your calendars for Safeway Classic Golf Tournament!
100% of your ticket purchase benefits Domestic Violence Resource Center
Mark your calendar for Safeway Classic’s TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ Golf tournament Monday, August 15 - Sunday, August 21! The West Coast Bank TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ program is a fundraising opportunity for Portland area non-profits. Organizations participate in selling tickets to the 2011 Safeway Classic, keeping 100% of the money raised from their sales. More than $15million has been raised for Portland charities.
It’s Simple: If attending the tournament, go to www.SafewayClassic.com. You will find a drop down menu noting local charities you ticket sales can benefit, click on Domestic Violence Resource Center! Tell your friends, business associates and family members. Over 80,000 golf fans turn out for the week at Pumpkin Ridge’s Ghost Creek course to see the best in women’s golf. Purchase your tickets online and support DVRC.
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May in-kind donation needs
Still doing some spring cleaning? Please consider donating and gently used or new items to Monika’s House Shelter.
Check out our needs this month by reading our May In-Kind Donation requests!
Most urgent needs include:
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwasher soap
- Disinfecting wipes and spray
- Tall kitchen garbage bags
- Pine-sol
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We continue to be amazed and so grateful for our many partners and friends we have through Domestic Violence Resource Center. Enhancing our clients and their children’s lives is the foundation of our organization, and really is pretty simple when we all work together. THANK YOU and look for more great stories and projects such as these next month!
Questions or concerns? Contact us!
March and April 2011 Champion eNewsletter
In This Issue:
Pint Size Designs Sponsors a Room Make-over!
Mark your Calendars for May 7th and 8th!
Family Nights at Monika’s House
Ways to Support this Spring
More Collaboration to Come
Pint Size Designs Sponsors a Room Make-over!
First Room Sponsorship of 2011
On March 6th and 7th, local community members Amanda Barnett and Melanie Hernandez brought a team of volunteers to help clean out one of our older rooms. They brought it to new life, by painting walls, splashing the room with colorful bedding and art, and creating a small “nook” in the room for parents and children to spend time together reading and playing. This was the first of many new Room Sponsorships Monika’s House will receive this spring.
This room sponsorship was the project of Amanda and Melanie’s new business called Pint Size Designs, an interior decorating company focused on environmentally-conscious, whimsical designs that encourage healing for children. They chose Monika’s House Shelter as the recipient of their work because it fit seamlessly with their mission of creating healing spaces and supporting healthy development for children.
Prior to beginning the project, Amanda and Melanie researched how to bring about healing through interior design, relating to themes, colors, and creation of physical space.
The theme they decided on revolves around transformation and renewal, ideas often associated with butterflies, which Melanie and Amanda have painted on the walls. They chose violets, blues and greens to color the room, for their various attributes.
“Our focus was to provide a sense of healing through a visual language, color,” they explained. “Blues are calming, lower blood pressure and have been proven to decrease respiration. Greens are soothing; relaxing mentally and physically helps with depression, anxiety and nervousness. Violets create a peaceful environment and are good for helping migraines.”
They had the support of various community members, and revamped this family room in less than two days. What’s resulted is a beautiful space that we truly believe can help bring healing for the many families that will stay in this room over the next many months and years. We couldn’t be happier with this new partnership and the fabulous makeover that came from it!
We want to extend a huge thanks to Melanie and Amanda, as well as their volunteers Kim Drake, Susan Ranger, Karen Drake (who also provided artwork), Julia Murray, Emily Murray, Lorenzo Hernandez, and Chris Adams.
Amanda Barnett is the CEO of Pint Size Designs. She holds a certificate from the Interior Designers Institute in Interior Design and is pursuing her Masters of Fine Art in Interior Architecture and Design at the Academy of Art University. She is also a member of the NAEYC. She is committed to providing children with spaces that will encourage them to grow, learn and play and are unique to each child. Amanda is also finishing a certificate in working with young children at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She’s the mom of three fun boys ages 4, 2 and 4 months.
Melanie Hernandez is the Creative Director for Pint Size Designs. Melanie holds an AA in Design from FIDM Los Angeles and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Design, Cultural Studies and Business Leadership from Marylhurst University. Over her twelve-year career she has successfully managed the design elements of several children brands including Bratz, Yummi-Land, Rescue Pets and Little Tikes. Melanie was honored to be a guest artist at Los Angeles’s Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Summer Night Lights 2009 anti-gang and anti-violence youth program. She also attended the CAEYC 2011 conference and expo. Her creative vision is dedicated to promoting quality learning and development for children while encouraging an over-all optimistic and healthy standard of living through whimsical, playful and inspiring design. Melanie is currently married to her career, and in her spare time she enjoys dancing, international travel and time spent with family and friends.
Pint Size Designs’ website is www.pintsizedesigns.com, which will be live and running in the near future.
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Mark your Calendars for May 7th and 8th!
Eat Strawberry Shortcake and Help Prevent Domestic Violence!
Join us Saturday and Sunday, May 7th and 8th from noon-4pm at any New Seasons Market to enjoy scrumptious strawberry shortcake and support your local domestic violence agencies! Each year, local members of Soroptimists International host this annual fundraiser for eight agencies in the area that work to support survivors and end domestic violence. Domestic Violence Resource Center is excited to once again be a part of this fabulous event!
Staff and interns from Domestic Violence Resource Center, Soroptimist members, and community supporters will be selling delicious Strawberry Shortcake at all New Seasons Market locations. For a mere $4, you will enjoy a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on freshly made New Seasons Market shortcake, covered with Driscoll strawberries and topped with whipped cream. 100% of the proceeds will be evenly distributed amongst Domestic Violence Resource Center, Bradley-Angle, Clackamas Women’s Services, Raphael House, The Salvation Army West Women and Children’s Shelter, and the YWCA Yolanda House.
Tell your family and friends, and invite others to join the Strawberry Shortcake Facebook Page. This is a fantastic event that raises awareness of domestic violence, provides a tangible way for our community to get involved, and is a great way to treat your mom for Mother’s Day!
Family Nights at Monika’s House
Staff hosts weekly programming to bring families together
Over the last few months, advocates at Monika’s House have started offering two new activities in shelter. Every Friday and Saturday night, staff members join with clients, offering games, activities and shared meals to bring parents and kids together. Brittany Reuling, the Children’s Program advocate, explains a bit of the background and shares some themes coming up in the next few weeks of Family Nights and Dinner Nights:
“Both events are in an effort to facilitate positive relationships between parents and their children and between peers. Family Night is an opportunity for parents to relearn how to connect with their children through play. We host a variety of events from Scavenger Hunts, playdough-making, and family collages. These are all relatively inexpensive and just take a little bit of imagination. Staff facilitates the interactions and encourages families to work as a team. During this night we see the stress levels of parents go down and they are able to have fun with their children.”
A few of the more recent themes at Family Night have been around making playdough and scavenger hunts. Brittany shared a few reflections on how each night went: “The children enjoyed making different colors and discovered how certain colors combined can make a new color. Children learned about measurements and even if you add too much salt, it still makes playdough! “It smells like macaroni!” one child observed when the hot water was added to the dry ingredients. Children and parents talked about how to knead the playdough and its similarity to kneading real dough to make bread.”
On the Scavenger Hunt Night, families worked as teams while staff hid toy worms and frogs throughoutthe living room, dining room and other common spaces around shelter. Each family was tasked to find either worms or frogs, and after much communication and team effort by staff and families, all items were rounded up and staff offered small prizes to each family member.
Other recent themes of the Family Nights have been family collages and baking 101. We’ll post updates periodically on other fun Family Night themes going on at shelter!
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Ways to Support this Spring
In-kind donations and yard-party volunteers!
This spring, support new clients coming into Monika’s House shelter by providing them with a few necessary items. We are looking for:
•New Twin Sheet Sets, so clients can take bedding with them after they transition out of shelter
•Twin- sized Mattress Protectors
•Women’s Deodorant
•Large Drawstring Trash Bags
•Dishwasher detergent and dish soap
•Laundry Detergent
•Conditioner
•New Bath Towels
•Gift Cards to stores like Michaels or Dollar Tree, to purchase craft supplies for future Family Nights at shelter.
Check our In-Kind Donation page for the full updated list of needs!
We also will be doing some ‘spring cleaning’ of the yard around Monika’s House in late April and may need lots of helping hands! If you’re interested in joining us for a volunteer project in the yard, please email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)with your availability of either weekday afternoons or Saturdays. We’ll try to plan for day with sunshine (or at least we can hope!).
More Collaboration to Come
DVRC partners with Safeway Classic and West Coast Bank
Domestic Violence Resource Center will be a partner on the annual Safeway Classic Golf Tournament, coming up this August 15-21st at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course. This event features some of the best female golfers in the world.
West Coast Bank coordinates the ticket sales for this event, in the program called (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). This is fundraiser that supports numerous non-profits around Portland, including Domestic Violence Resource Center.
You can support Domestic Violence Resource Center by purchasing tickets to the Safeway Classic, and 100% of your ticket price will be donated to our agency. Be sure to indicate you want your payment to go toward Domestic Violence Resource Center when you purchase them online. This is a fabulous way to support our work in promoting safe and healthy relationships in the County, and yet another example of the fabulous collaboration happening in the area! Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for more updates as the Safeway Classic gets closer.
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Happy Spring to you all!
Questions or concerns? Contact us!
February 2011 Champion eNewsletter
In This Issue:
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Students Take on Dating Violence Awareness
New Spring Projects Budding at Monika’s House!
February is:
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
The month of February is recognized as a time to become more aware teen dating violence in our communities. Not only a time to acknowledge its presence, but to consider what it means for our youth, and what can be done to prevent it. Communities across the country have made particular effort this month to speak out against this form of intimate partner violence.
Statistics show approximately 1 in 5 female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by their dating partner, and 1 in 3 teen girls is a victim of emotional and verbal abuse.
Nearly 25% of 14-17 year-olds surveyed know at least one student who was a victim of dating violence, while 11% know multiple victims of dating violence. 33% of teens have actually witnessed such an event.
81% of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue.
Teen dating violence often is exhibited through a number of warning signs. Teens may be experiencing dating violence if his/her partner:
•is jealous and possessive
•manipulates them with lies
•forbids them to see their friends
•physically hurts them or forces sexual activity on them
•threatens to hurt them if they tell someone, or leave
These are just a few of the warning signs of abusive relationships.
If you feel you know someone who is a victim of dating violence, here’s what you can do to help:
•Tell your friend you believe them.
•Assure your friend it is not their fault.
•Let your friend know they don’t deserve to be mistreated.
•Encourage your friend to take a self defense class or to make a safety plan.
•Let them know we are here to help.
At Domestic Violence Resource Center we address teen dating violence through intervention, prevention and empowerment of youth. We offer support groups, advocacy, and education for teens and young adults, and work to prevent dating violence through free presentations to high school, middle school, and elementary school students and teachers in Washington County, talking about how to recognize signs of unhealthy relationships, and what teens can do to create healthy ones.
Victims, friends, and family can call our 24/7 crisis line to talk to our advocates about what options exist, including which of our programs might be helpful to someone experiencing abuse. It’s vital we recognize teen dating violence and any abuse as not a personal, private matter, but an issue affecting our entire community. Every person deserves to have healthy and safe relationships.
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Students take on Dating Violence Awareness
Riverdale High School sophomores spread awareness to their peers
This past week, a few students from Riverdale High School took it upon themselves to help educate their peers about dating violence. Milly Syck and Alexa Laharty, two high sophomores, focused their leadership service project around intimate partner violence, and brainstormed the most effective way educate their fellow students about the occurrence of dating violence. They invited our advocates into their Leadership Class last Friday for our Teen Dating Presentation, an interactive presentation we offer to middle and high school classrooms throughout all of Washington County. This presentation gives examples of what dating violence looks like, includes a video about teens’ personal experiences, and equips them with tools to address and prevent it.
Milly shared that what resonated most with her and other students were the concrete examples of what abusive behaviors look like in teen relationships.
She was surprised at the creativity abusive partners can use when maintaining control over their partners, like demanding girlfriends don’t wear makeup. These ordinarily may not have seemed like warning signs of abuse, but in understanding the larger scope of power and control, even small acts like that can have a long term effect on victims and often lead into greater abuse.
Milly and Alexa decided to take this information further, by creating their own presentations from what they learned. They’ve mobilized the students in their Leadership class to bring this presentation to the rest of their campus, close to 250 students, by presenting in every advisory class throughout the next two weeks.
While they bring awareness of dating violence to their campus, Milly and Alexa will also host a fundraiser on Riverdale’s campus, to show their peers this is one important issue in our community, and in many avenues, through educating each other or making small donations, they can make a difference. Each and every one of us is powerful and can make a lasting impact.
This project is an amazing example of community activism and how we can raise awareness in each of our personal spheres of influence. Milly and Alexa recognized that students at Riverdale High School might value information on Dating Violence more so if it came from their peers, so they organized their classmates and friends to make the message all the more powerful. We are excited by and commend Milly and Alexa for their creativity and engagement in being champions of safe and healthy relationships in our community!
If you are a teacher, administrator, student, or parent of a student in a Washington County School, we would love to offer our presentations to your school! Please contact Christie at 503-926-3245 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to schedule a time for our advocates to talk with your students and continue spreading awareness about healthy relationships.
New Spring Projects budding at Monika’s House!
February brings news of gardens and room sponsorships
We are very appreciative of the support we received from the Oregon Food Bank this month!
Monika’s House Shelter was awarded $500 to start up a community garden at shelter for use by clients. We will soon be calling on our network of community partners and volunteers to help us build it up sometime in the next month. In addition to the grant money, Oregon Food Bank will also partner with Monika’s House to offer free classes to clients about healthy cooking classes.We’ll be sure to post pictures of its progress as veggies start to grow!
Along with the news of the community garden project this month, we also received an exciting phone call from a local community member connected to the Wives of the Green Bay Packers group. The charity Project Imaginaire of the Greenbay Packers, which is partnered with Pint Size Designs, will be sponsoring one of the family rooms at Monika’s House Shelter! They’ve offered to redecorate this room and make it feel a bit more like home for families to stay there. They will join us the first weekend of March to redecorate and refurnish one family room at shelter. Check back for before and after pictures of the room!
Are you looking for a creative spring project? You too could become a Room Sponsor for a family or single room at Monika’s House! We are looking for folks to add a little extra love to some rooms that needing sprucing up at shelter. This is a fabulous way to bring together your families, co-workers, faith groups, or neighbors to help the approx. 250 women, men and children that stay at shelter each year feel more at home.
Your level of involvement is based upon your interest, whether it be purchasing new curtains and dressers, or inquiring of your favorite furniture/home décor shops who can donate supplies. We would love to brainstorm with you how to can make it happen! Please contact Rhonda Coakley by email or phone to learn more details, or read more about it at our website here: http://www.dvrc-or.org/domestic/violence/resources/C146
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Thank you for helping us empower all individuals and families to have safe and healthy relationships. Questions or concerns? Contact us!
January 2011 Champion eNewsletter
In This Issue:
January: a call for continued awareness,a month for reflection and action
A Recap of 2010: Our work over the past year
January: a call for continued awareness
A month for reflection and action
From a Birmingham jail in the spring of 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
As we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this month, we are reminded of his passion and work to create change in this country and around the world, to move toward more peaceful coexistence and equality among all peoples, and how we as community members, as humans, are all connected- that what affects one person in our community affects the rest of us as a whole.
In the work that we do at Domestic Violence Resource Center, this work for which you advocate and support, we are all reminded still how true is the need for peace and equality in relationships today, and how the affects of intimate partner violence ripple throughout the community.
Through our programs such as safe and confidential emergency shelter, free and bilingual counseling services for adults and families, legal advocacy, and education/outreach, we attempt to address the issues of violence through Prevention, Intervention, and Empowerment. We continually work toward creation of safe and healthy relationships and a community free of violence.
Also acknowledged in January is the existence of stalking as a community-wide issue. 2004 was the first year awareness of this issue was specifically attributed to the month of January, and awareness campaigns have taken place ever since. 2011 marks a year for even greater consciousness of the issue, as President Obama recently became the first President to make a proclamation stating January as National Stalking Awareness Month (you can read the full Proclamation here).
The idea originated from the need to create more concentrated awareness in society about the seriousness and prevalence of stalking, in the hopes that the better we know how to recognize it and name stalking for what it is, the more readily we as community members would speak out, seek support where needed, and prove that such behaviors will not be tolerated, let alone ignored.
Education and action go hand in hand. Not just being aware of how to address it, but actually acting, is what will change stalking behaviors and our society’s perception of it.
What should someone do that fears they are being stalked?
Anyone, victims themselves or friends and family of victims, can call our Crisis Line 24/7 to talk to advocates about what options exist: 503-649-8620, or toll-free 866-469-8600.
Do you know what myths exist around stalking? Learn about the truths behind common misconceptions around stalking here.
What are the processes around protection, and involvement of the justice system? You can read more here about what options are available and learn about our programs for victims of stalking.
The National Center for Victims of Crime offers resources online both for people who fear they may be being stalked, and for friends who may know someone being stalked.
Learn much more in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Special Report on “Stalking Victimization in the United States”.
More information and resources can be found at the National Stalking Awareness Month’s website: http://stalkingawarenessmonth.org/
A Recap of 2010
Our work over the last twelve months
We don’t want to end before we THANK YOU for all the support over this last year. Here is a brief snapshot into the work of advocates at Domestic Violence Resource Center and the thousands of survivors who’ve sought services over the past year. In 2010:
Monika’s House Shelter provided emergency shelter for 137 adults, as well as 128 children.
Crisis Line advocates answered 5,950 calls on the crisis line, 148 of those calls were regarding stalking situations
Our Clinical Services Programs and Protective Order Advocacy Programs worked with:
• 3,008 adult survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault
• 139 adult survivors of stalking
• 179 teen survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault
• 1 teen survivor of stalking
• 357 children
Thank you for the many ways you’ve shown support for survivors of domestic violence this past year, and for joining together to help build safer and healthier relationships in our community. Truly, we cannot do the work we do without your support, so THANK YOU!
If you’re interested in supporting Domestic Violence Resource Center and the needs at Monika’s House this month, check out our website to see what household items are needed and consider making an in-kind donation.
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Thank you for your interest in our work to empower all individuals in the Washington County area to have safe and healthy relationships.
Questions or concerns? (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Sincerely,
Christie Costello
Community Outreach Coordinator
Domestic Violence Resource Center
503-926-3245
December 2010 Champion eNewsletter
In This Issue:
Thank you to all of our community supporters this season!
Monika’s House receives kennels for pets
Volunteer finds creative way to support DVRC during the holidays
Still looking for holiday gift ideas?
Thank you to all of our community supporters this season!
Thanks to the generosity of many community supporters, survivors will be receiving donated gift cards to buy gifts and other holiday needs this week
On behalf of survivors, staff and volunteers of Domestic Violence Resource Center, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to our local community members for their amazing support to our Survivor Empowerment Fund this holiday season!
Thank you to all of our community partners who chose to sponsor a holiday giving tree which resulted in the collection of hundreds of dollars in gift cards from local merchants. These gift cards range from $5 to $50, and at times upwards of $100, which will enable our survivors staying at Monika’s House to purchase groceries, clothing, bus passes, shoes, prescriptions and pet supplies, specific to their family needs during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Small denominations such as $5, $10 and $20 from Fred Meyer, Target, Rite Aid, Gas Cards, WinCo, Safeway, Home Depot, Lowes and Albertsons assist us to more evenly distribute these cards to our survivors. Collection of gift cards are not only during the holiday season, but throughout the year as our survivors could change on a day to day basis.
Please send gift cards to Domestic Violence Resource Center, P.O. Box 494, Hillsboro, OR 97123, or call 503-640-5352 x308 for delivery options or to get more information.
Thank you again for your generosity and support in creating safe healthy relationships in our community this holiday season!
The Survivor Empowerment Fund is supported by donations from the public in the form of monetary donations as well as gift cards from local businesses.
Monika’s House receives kennels for pets
Local task force donates supplies and time to help shelter pets accompanying families in shelter
Monika’s House, Washington County’s only domestic violence shelter, recently partnered with the Animal Protection Multi-Disciplinary Team and non-profit Fences for Fido to create a more welcoming environment for cats and dogs of families fleeing domestic violence situations.
In abusive relationships, the wellbeing of pets is often threatened by abusive partners, and animals can unfortunately be used as additional leverage for abusers to maintain power and control over their partners.
To ensure that pets have a safe place to stay while their families reside in shelter, volunteers have put in many hours of work over the last few weeks to create three dog runs and kennels on shelter property, with two more to be completed in the near future.
Pets such as dogs and cats have been allowed to stay at Monika’s house shelter when their families are fleeing abusive relationships, and now thanks to the Animal Protection Multi-Disciplinary Team and Fences for Fido, Monika’s House is much better outfitted to shelter these furry friends.
The Oregonian recently made note of the accomplishments of this task force and featured an article detailing their work at Monika’s house and their goals for the larger Washington County community.
You can read the full article here.
We want to offer HUGE thanks to Animal Protection Multi-Disciplinary Team and Fences for Fido for such creative ideas and hard work to allow families and their pets to remain united during stressful transitions in their lives.
To learn more about the work of Fences for Fido, read here.
Volunteer finds creative way to support DVRC during the holidays
Kathy offers holiday cheer in the form of decadent cookies
Clients in our various programs recently received dozens of homemade cookies, in 14 different varieties, thanks to one generous community member. This is the second year that volunteer Kathy has donated dozens of fresh home-baked cookies to Domestic Violence Resource Center, ranging from chocolate covered peanut clusters, gingerbread, snicker doodles, chocolate bon-bons,and classic chocolate chip. Eight of the varieties are family recipes used for years, along with six Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough favorites.
Kathy found a perfect niche for combining her favorite holiday baking activity with an opportunity to give back, spreading a little holiday cheer to survivors in our community. She mentioned how a couple of days of straight baking these delicious cookies could be so rewarding to our clients and survivors. The cookies sure didn’t last much longer than that either!
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Still looking for holiday gift ideas?
Consider buying lavender and vanilla cake soap and lotion for your friends and family!
Treat your friends and family to an array of body care products to include bars of soap, bottles of lotion and lip balm in Lavender or Vanilla Cake scent, made by survivors at Monika’s House shelter.
hese products are part of our social business venture named Monika’s House Shelter Social Enterprise Project. Our project was created to inspire our clients and survivors to feel empowered about the skills they already possess, especially in today’s work environments where it seems the more skills you can claim having, means a better possibility of being employed.
We hope the enterprise project will empower residents to use the skills they possess and help them design ways in which to work once they leave shelter whether that be by finding a particular job in which they can market their special skills, or by creating a home business opportunity utilizing what they already know.
Proceeds from these products go back to the Survivor Empowerment Fund, which allows survivors to get basic necessities like bus passes, winter clothes, food items, prescriptions, and many other necessities.
Products and order forms can be found on our website at www.dvrc-or.org or email our office at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or phone (503) 640-5352, ext. 308.
Body care products made at Shelter include:
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Gift Set: $13
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Soap (Large): $6.50
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Soap (Small): $5
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Batter Lotion: $8.50
Vanilla “Celebration Candle” Lip Balm: $2
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We wish you all a peaceful and joyous holiday season!
Questions or concerns? (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Sincerely,
Christie Costello
Community Outreach Coordinator
Domestic Violence Resource Center
503-926-3245
Rhonda Coakley
Development/Event Coordinator
Domestic Violence Resource Center
503-640-5352 x308
November 2010 Champion eNewsletter
In This Issue:
Thank you to Autumn Affair supporters
Join us in welcoming our new Development/Event Coordinator!
Holiday Giving Program
Homemade holiday gifts!
November Needs at Shelter
Upcoming Holiday Hours
Autumn Affair was a great success!
Thank you to everyone who helped to make it possible
Autumn Affair 2010 was a great success! It was wonderful to see so many of you there and to have received so much support from the community that evening.
Thank you to everyone who joined us that evening and to all those who helped make it possible.
Special thanks to our Champion Sponsors:
Les Schwab Tire Center and Providence Health & Services
Our Advocate Sponsors:
AlphaGraphics Hillsboro, Beaverton Police Officer’s Association, Ben Franklin Plumbing, Hillsboro Police Officer’s Association, Jensen & Leiberan Attorneys at Law, LaPorte & Associates, Washington County Police Officer’s Association, WSC Insurance, and Westside Florist
And our Contributor Sponsors:
Brisbee & Stockton and the Oregonian
It is vital that we come together to better understand and spread awareness about domestic violence, and find ways in which we can each encourage healthy relationships in our community. We are so appreciative to everyone who joined us in this effort. We look forward to next year’s event and hope to see you there!
Join us in welcoming our new Development/Event Coordinator!
November brings the arrival of Rhonda Coakley to our staff
This past week, Rhonda Coakley started her position with Domestic Violence Resource Center as Development/Event Coordinator, taking lead in development efforts and event-planning with the agency. She comes to us after working with the City of Beaverton.
She shared a few thoughts on joining the agency and this new position:
“I have a great passion for Beaverton, serving in many capacities as an employee, resident and volunteer, with the primary focus of building, connecting and strengthening relationships throughout our community. I am honored to have the opportunity to further collaborate with our leaders in Beaverton and Washington County promoting the many great services our organization provides. Outreach and education is crucial to ending the cycle of violence in our community. Call us to learn how to get involved and help us break the silence of Domestic Violence. We CAN make a difference!”
If you’d like to get in touch with Rhonda to welcome her or share ideas, you can reach her at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Holiday Giving Program
Empowering survivors to get what they need, when they need it
Is your family, community group, or business looking to reach out this holiday season? Consider purchasing gift cards for survivors at Monika’s House so they can find exactly what they need, when they need it.
As we know, domestic violence occurs every day, every week, and every month of the year, not only around the holidays. Just as we never know when survivors will need our (and your) help, we can never know what they will need.
A co-pay for the doctor and flu medicine, in February.
A bus pass to get to a job interview, in April.
A pair of baby shoes to replace the old ones forgotten in the hurry of fleeing the home, in July.
A couple of safe nights in a shelter, in October.
Survivors need financial resources to buy items they need in the time of crisis. For survivors, life is not about the ideal holiday present, it’s about overcoming basic hurdles in life. The smallest things make a world of different when they come at the right time. Your gift card, gift certificate, or monetary donation will help us empower survivors at the time of their need, not just during the holiday season.
Give at the holidays, so that we can help throughout the entire year.
You can purchase small gift cards and gift certificates from any of our local stores like Target, WinCo, and Fred Meyer, and survivors can use them to purchase things such as bus passes, new shoes, and items for their holiday meal.
If you’re interested in getting your office, church or local community group involved, we can provide you with a small Giving Tree display, adorned with paper ornaments that describe just how far small gift cards can go this year. We will be sure to thank you on our website for supporting our mission of empowering individuals to have safe and healthy relationships.
Please contact Christie by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)or at 503-926-3245 if you’d like to host one of our Giving Trees or would like to learn more!
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Homemade holiday gifts for self-care and empowerment
Purchase lavender and vanilla cake lotions, soaps and lip balm, part of our Social Business Enterprise!
Want to give gifts that your friends and family will love, and that support our local community? Treat them with lavender and vanilla cake-scented body care products made at Monika’s House shelter!
These hand-made soaps, lotions, and lip balms are fabulous stocking-stuffers and gifts for all ages. They were made by survivors in shelter as part of our Social Business Enterprise, aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills and inspiring creativity among survivors at shelter. Don’t for the little ones on your holiday gift list! We also have puppet kits that come in individual sets or sets of four, so kids can assemble their very own puppets.
Funds from these products go back to the Survivor Empowerment Fund, which survivors can utilize for specific needs they may have, whether it be paying attorney fees, co-pays at the doctor, or transportation to get to and from work. It’s hard to know what survivors may need at any given time, and through this fund, they have the resources to make decisions on their own and get what they need.
Please consider purchasing some of these delicious products this holiday season for your friends and family, and support survivors in our local community.
We need your help to reach out further in our community! Do you run a holiday craft fair, or own your own business? We’d love you to consider featuring/selling these products!
Body care products made at Shelter include:
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Gift Set: $17
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Soap (Large): $6.50
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Soap (Small): $5
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Batter Lotion: $8.50
Vanilla “Celebration Candle” Lip Balm: $2
To purchase soaps or puppet kits, to discuss hosting them at your fairs/businesses, contact Christie by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)or at 503-926-3245.
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November Needs at Shelter
Staff noted some items would be greatly helpful to have at Monika’s House shelter this month
We are currently running low and would greatly appreciate any of the following items:
Tampons
Pads
Pinesol
Hair Spray/ Gel/ Accessories
New socks of all sizes
New underwear of all sizes
Full size bottles of body lotion
Large garbage bags
Dishwasher detergent
Large hair brushes
Overnight underwear for kids
Plastic shower curtain liners
Glue Sticks (pack of 20 or so)
Bulk bottle of glue
Small plastic paint bottles (empty)
2 Funnels
Construction Paper
Paper organizer
Display book shelf
Paper Plates (for art projects)
Train cars for wooden train tracks
Contact Christie by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or at 503-926-3245 if you are interested in donating any of these items. Thank you for your support!
Holiday Hours for Clinical Services office and Protective Order Advocacy Program
Please make note of these upcoming holiday closures
The Washington County Courthouse and Protective Order Advocacy Program will be closed for the following holidays:
11/25- Thanksgiving Day
12/24- Christmas Eve
12/31- New Years Eve
The Clinical Services Office will be closed:
Beginning at 5pm on 11/24
11/25- 11/27- Thanksgiving holiday
12/23/2010 -1/2/2011- Christmas and New Year’s holidays
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The work we do is a direct extension of the support we receive from community members like you. Thank you for all the support you give.
Enjoy this snowy winter weather!
Questions or concerns? (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Sincerely,
Christie Costello
Community Outreach Coordinator
Domestic Violence Resource Center
503-926-3245
Mark your calendars for the Dine4DV event on October 21st!
On October 21st, restaurants across the Portland-metro area will be stepping up by donating 15% of their proceeds to support eight local domestic violence prevention agencies. So mark your calendars and plan on a day of eating out for a great cause!
From cupcakes, to pizza, to fine dining—there’s something for everyone!
Restaurants who will be participating include:
- Mississippi Pizza Pub (http://www.mississippipizza.com/)
- Nosh (http://noshonseventh.com/)
- The Florida Room (435 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR)
- La Bella Vita Pizza ( http://www.labellavitapizza.com/La_Bella_Vita/Home.html)
- Tigard Newport Seafood Grill (http://newportseafoodgrill.com/)
- Cuvee (http://cuveedining.com/)
- Little Italy’s Trattoria (http://littleitalystrattoria.com/)
- ¿Por Qué No? (http://www.porquenotacos.com/)
- Accanto (http://www.accantopdx.com/)
- Deschutes Brewery Public House (http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/brewery/brew-pubs/portland-pub/default.aspx)
- Ned Ludd (http://www.nedluddpdx.com/)
- MiNGO (http://www.yelp.com/biz/mingo-beaverton)
- Seres Restaurant & Bar (http://seresrestaurant.com/)
- Ciao Vito Restaurant (http://ciaovito.net/)
- West Café (http://westcafepdx.com/blog)
- Dove Vivi (http://www.dovevivipizza.com/)
- Good Neighbor Pizzeria (http://goodneighborpizzeria.com/)
- I L Piatto (http://ilpiattopdx.com/)
- Lolo Restaurant (http://lolopdx.com/)
- Cup & Saucer Cafe (http://cupandsaucercafe.com/)
- Pope House Bourbon Lounge (http://popehouselounge.com/)
- Saint Cupcake Deluxe (http://www.saintcupcake.com/)
- Leaky Roof Pub & Grill (http://theleakyroof.com/)
- Radio Room (http://radioroompdx.com/)
- Back to Eden Bakery Boutique (http://backtoedenbakery.com/)
- Echo Restaurant (http://echorestaurant.com/)
- SubRosa (http://subrosa.textdriven.com/)
- Old Wive’s Tales Restaurant (http://oldwivestalesrestaurant.com/)
- Cupcake Jones (http://www.cupcakejones.net/)
- Holman’s Bar (http://www.myspace.com/holmansbar)
- Beulahland (http://beulahlandpdx.com/)
- Clementine Bistro and Bar (http://www.clementinebistro.com/)
- Green Beans Coffee and Tea on East Burnside
Check them all out on our interactive online map at http://bit.ly/dine4dvmap
The organizations benefiting from Dine4DV include:
Bradley Angle (http://www.bradleyangle.org)
Domestic Violence Resource Center (http://www.dvrc-or.org)
Listen to Kids (http://www.listentokids.org)
Portland Women’s Crisis Line (http://www.pwcl.org)
Raphael House of Portland (http://www.raphaelhouse.com)
Salvation Army West Women’s & Children’s Shelter (http://www.salvationarmyportland.org)
Volunteers of America Oregon Home Free (http://www.voaor.org)
YWCA’s Yolanda House (http://www.ywca-pdx.org)
October 2010 Champion eNewsletter
In This Issue:
Join us for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
We hope that you will join us this Friday at the 3rd Annual Autumn Affair: a Celebration of Oregon Wine—our largest event of the year to support survivors!
Annual Dine4DV Event on October 21st
Measure 34-179: Washington County Safety Levy Up for a Vote this November
New Monika’s House Shelter Social Enterprise Products Now Available
Domestic Violence Resource Center receives $295,000 grant to serve young adult survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking
Join us for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October: Full of opportunities to get involved and show your support for survivors of domestic violence
I’ll never forget when I moved to Oregon three years ago. I went to the doctor’s office, and the first thing they asked me was, “do you feel safe at home?” No one had ever asked me that before. It made me stop and think about my relationship, which I had never thought of in the context of health and safety. Apparently, this particular nurse had worked for a shelter in a previous job (although all health professionals technically need to ask this question). She gave me space and time to answer, and I knew in my gut that I could trust her with whatever answer I chose to give her.
“Do you feel safe at home?” It’s a powerful question. And for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we all need to be reaching out to those we care about in our lives and checking in with them about a basic right we can sometimes take for granted, or maybe haven’t thought about. We all have the right to live free from harm, and go home to a loving family that isn’t verbally, emotionally, financially, or physically abusive. 1 out of 10 Oregon women at this moment in time will go home to a house where this right isn’t respected. 1 out of 4 at some point in their lifetime will be in a domestic violence relationship.
Sometimes, relationships can seem perfectly loving on the surface to an outsider. However, appearances can be deceiving. It’s only when we ask: “do you feel safe at home?” that we provide the opportunity to learn and to support. We plant a seed of hope, sometimes without even knowing it.
Last October I spoke with a woman who had stayed at Monika’s House. I asked her how she had come to be at our shelter. She said it all started with a flyer she saw in the doctor’s office back in her home state.
“It was so simple”, she said. “It was all black, and there was a door that opened and let light in, and the flyer said: ‘there is hope’. And it had the name of a domestic violence service provider and a crisis line.”
She said she never called that number—but she said it was her “moment” when she realized that she was in a domestic violence relationship, and that at that moment she did not feel safe. She felt trapped and hopeless. But alone in the doctor’s office in her gown, she saw this flyer and realized that maybe there was hope, and she could maybe reach out for help.
This month the Domestic Violence Resource Center is offering many opportunities for people from all walks of life to reach out and make a difference.
- Do you know the warning signs to look for? Do you know some myths about domestic violence? Do you know about resources in our community for survivors? Schedule a talk by one of our staff members to answer these questions and more! We customize presentations for businesses, community groups, schools, and others (partial list can be downloaded here).
- Attend Autumn Affair this Friday (our largest event), Oct. 8th at the Stockpot Broiler from 6 to 10 PM
- Portland-wide Dine4DV shelter collaboration event on Oct. 21st (read more below)
- Come out to our two-day informational class Oct. 7th & 14th to learn how you can support survivors in your circle at Christ United Methodist Church in Portland, OR, from 6 to 8 PM
- Sell our shelter social enterprise products at your business, in your shop, or at your next event (contact (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to learn more)
In special honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2010, Domestic Violence Resource Center is officially extending our Clinical Services Office hours (previously from Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 7 pm) to Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, and also is open for services on Friday & Saturday by appointment. The change in hours is permanent in response to rising needs in the community for services.
We never know whose heart we will touch and maybe inspire when we ask “do you feel safe”, or when we hang a flyer about our program, or send out an email about a training, or put on an event. But whatever we do—we find that often it will eventually lead to someone standing up and saying “Enough!” And they will have someone who can stand with them. Maybe that person is you.
Please help us reach more people this October by getting involved. Not sure what might be a fit for you, or how you can help? Please give us a call.
Sincerely,
Sarah
Contact us:
Sarah Keefe, Development Coordinator - 503-640-5352 x 308, (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (contact for questions, events & donations)
Christie Costello, Community Outreach Coordinator - 503-926-3245, (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (contact for presentations, office tours and social enterprise questions)
La Donna Burgess, Executive Director - 503-640-5352 x 303, (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (contact for partnerships)
Erica Suarez, Clinical Administrator - 503-640-5352, (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (contact for services and scheduling appointments)
Crisis Line: 24-Hour Crisis Line 503-469-8620 | Toll Free 1-866-469-8600 (if you, or someone you know, needs to talk or get resources!)
We hope that you will join us this Friday at the 3rd Annual Autumn Affair: a Celebration of Oregon Wine—our largest event of the year to support survivors!
Friday, October 8, 2010 from 6 to 10 PM
Stockpot Broiler, 8200 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Beaverton, OR
Join us for the third annual Autumn Affair on Friday, October 8, 2010 from 6 to 10 PM at the Stockpot Broiler at Redtail Golf Center on 8200 SW Scholls Ferry Rd. in Beaverton, OR.
Join us for the third annual Autumn Affair on Friday, October 8, 2010 from 6 to 10 PM at the Stockpot Broiler.
Tickets are $75 a piece and include a wine tasting provided by six wineries ($50 value) and cocktail reception dinner & dessert ($32 value), music, commemorative tasting glass, and access to raffle and silent auction.
Featured 2010 Wineries:
Apolloni Vineyards
Árdiri Winery
Bergström Wines
Helvetia Winery & Vineyard
Kramer Vineyard
Montinore Estate
Silent Auction packages include:
* Two unlimited use, round-trip Alaska Airlines tickets
* Goldendoodle puppy & accompanying pet care package
* Oregon Coast vacation package
* Fly fishing guide & supplies, spa services for a year package, wine tour lovers package, and much, much more!
Join us at one of Washington County’s premier wine tasting events. Don’t wait to purchase your tickets—we expect this event to sell-out! Only 200 tickets are available.
Sponsored by:
Champion Sponsors Les Schwab Tire Center and Providence Health & Services
Advocate Sponsors AlphaGraphics Hillsboro, Beaverton Police Officer’s Association, Ben Franklin Plumbing, Hillsboro Police Officer’s Association, Jensen & Leiberan Attorneys at Law, LaPorte & Associates, Washington County Police Officer’s Association, WSC Insurance and Westside Florist
Contributor Sponsors Brisbee & Stockton and the Oregonian
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sarah Keefe
Development Coordinator, Domestic Violence Resource Center
503-640-5352 x 308
Annual Dine4DV Event on October 21st
Eat out at one of our participating restaurants on Thursday, October 21st and 15% of your check benefits local Portland domestic violence shelters & service providers
On October 21st, restaurants across the Portland-metro area will be stepping up to support eight local domestic violence prevention agencies.
So mark your calendars and plan on a day of eating out for a great cause! Also, like this event on Facebook and share with your friends and family who live in the Portland area.
From cupcakes, to pizza, to fine dining—there’s an option for everyone!
Restaurants who will be participating include:
La Bella Vita Pizza (Hillsboro, OR)
Newport Seafood Grill (Tigard, OR)
Cuvee (Carlton, OR)
Little Italy’s Trattoria (Vancouver, OR)
¿Por Qué No? (North Portland, OR)
Accanto (SE Portland, OR)
Deschutes Brewery Public House (Portland, OR)
Ned Ludd (North Portland, OR)
Caffe Mingo (NW Portland, OR)
Mississippi Pizza Pub (North Portland, OR)
Nosh (Portland, OR)
Seres Restaurant & Bar (Portland, OR)
Ciao Vito Restaurant (Portland, OR)
West Cafe (Portland, OR)
Dove Vivi (North Portland, OR)
Good Neighbor Pizzeria (North Portland, OR)
I L Piatto (SE Portland, OR)
Lolo Restaurant (North Portland, OR)
Cup & Saucer Cafe (North Portland, OR)
Pope House Bourbon Lounge (NW Portland, OR)
Saint Cupcake Deluxe (SE Portland, OR)
Leaky Roof Pub & Grill (Portland, OR)
Radio Room (North Portland, OR)
Back to Eden Bakery Boutique (North Portland, OR)
Echo Restaurant (Portland, OR)
SubRosa (SE Portland, OR)
Old Wive’s Tales Restaurant (Portland, OR)
The Florida Room (435 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR)
... and more! Check them out on our interactive map.
The organizations benefiting from Dine4DV include:
Domestic Violence Resource Center
Bradley Angle
Listen to Kids
Portland Women’s Crisis Line
Raphael House of Portland
Salvation Army West Women’s & Children’s Shelter
Volunteers of America Oregon Home Free
YWCA’s Yolanda House
Know a restaurant that would like to participate? Contact Sarah for more information!
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Measure 34-179: Washington County Safety Levy Up for a Vote this November
Please consider supporting this critical funding for our program and Monika’s House Shelter
From the Oregonian, Friday, September 24, 2010, 11:00 AM:
“Washington County leaders say extending public safety funding is crucial
Washington County officials are anxiously awaiting a November election to see if voters are willing to extend a public-safety levy set to expire next year.
Layoffs, service reductions and budget cuts throughout the county’s public safety system are in store, officials say, if the five-year levy isn’t renewed Nov. 2.
“Losing this election would dramatically change the landscape of public safety services throughout the county,” said La Donna Burgess, executive director of the Domestic Violence Resource Center. “There’s really no other way to put it.”
If the renewal fails, she said, the estimated 10,000 contacts that Burgess’ programs make each year with abuse victims and survivors around the county would be cut to the 200 adults and children who are housed each year at Monika’s House Shelter in Washington County.
Burgess and county prosecutors, juvenile department heads and others insist they are not overstating their case. The numbers seem to be on their side.”
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New Monika’s House Shelter Social Enterprise Products Now Available
Lavender & vanilla body care products ready for the fall and winter giving season!
Purchase these hand-made soaps, lotions, and lip balms made at Monika’s House Shelter! These lavender & vanilla scented soaps & body care products are made as a part of our Social Enterprise project to teach clients at shelter about micro-enterprise, and to raise funds for our Survivor Empowerment Fund.
Body care products made at Shelter include:
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Gift Set: $13
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Soap (Large): $6.50
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Soap (Small): $5
Healing Gardens Lavender or Vanilla Cake Batter Lotion: $8.50
Vanilla “Celebration Candle” Lip Balm: $1.60
To purchase soaps or puppet kits, please fill out an order form. Contact Christie at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 503-926-3245 to learn more!
What can I do if I think I know someone who’s in an abusive relationship?
Learn more at our class for friends & family on Oct. 7th & 14th from 6 to 8 PM at Christ United Methodist Church in Portland, OR
Want to learn more in person?
More information about attending this free & convenient class here.>>
Is someone you care about being abused? Does your friend’s partner exert an unusual amount of control over her/his activities or her contact with friends and family? Does your friend’s partner demonstrate extreme jealousy? Does your friend’s partner ridicule her/him publicly or call her/him names? Does the partner always need to know where your friend is, and who they’re with? Have you noticed changes in your friend’s or the children’s behavior?
Read more about the warning signs here.>>
DO
- Let your friend know you believe them.
- Listen to what your friend is saying. Interrupting and saying things like, “I would never put up with that!” is unhelpful and may actually do harm.
- Tell your friend they don’t deserve to be hurt and that they are not to blame. No one deserves to be mistreated and there is no excuse for abuse.
- Point out the unfairness of how your friend is being treated and what your fears for them are.
- Allow your friend to feel the way they do.
- Find out what your friend wants to do about their relationship and support them no matter what they decide.
- Let your friend know abuse usually gets worse over time.
- Tell your friend you’ll be there if they ever need you.
- Expect your friend to be confused, about their feelings and about what to do. Expect them to change their mind, maybe even a few times.
- Watch your body language and respect your friend’s right to personal space. If your friend has been hurt, they may not want to be hugged.
- Help your friend become informed. Tell them help is available. - Domestic Violence Resource Center staff are available at all times. Call or have your friend call our 24-Hour Crisis Line at 503.469.8620 or toll free 1.866.469.8600.
- Remember your friend may feel guilty after sharing the story of their abuse for ‘telling’ on their partner.
DON’T
- Make judgments. Your values and beliefs may be different, and there is a big difference between helping figure out solutions and telling what someone should or should not do.
- Give advice. Instead, talk about your friend’s choices, help them find out who may be able to help, and offer to go with them.
- Ask unnecessary questions. Your questions must be helpful, not nosy.
- Overreact. If you do, your friend may feel stupid or embarrassed. If you let your feelings get in the way, it won’t help theirs.
- Confront your friend’s abusive partner about the abuse. If the partner is violent, it may be dangerous for you and your friend.
Questions? Call us at 503.640.5352 or our crisis line at 503.469.8620 | Toll Free 1.866.469.8600. Stay safe this October, and always.
Domestic Violence Resource Center receives $295,000 grant to serve young adult survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking
Office of Violence Against Women funds Domestic Violence Resource Center to launch new program for young adults age 13 to 24
PRESS RELEASE
September 27, 2010 - Beaverton, OR - Domestic Violence Resource Center has been awarded a $295,000 grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women to provide culturally and linguistically specific direct services for youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The grant will be used to further expand services that provide much needed support to help both young men and women build safe and healthy relationships. Domestic Violence Resource Center provides the only free clinical counseling to young adults under the age of 18 in the State of Oregon.
“This grant is a testament to the quality of our clinically-based service model at Domestic Violence Resource Center and it will help us reach out to more at-risk young adults and teens,” said La Donna Burgess, Executive Director at Domestic Violence Resource Center.
This three-year grant will help the Domestic Violence Resource Center to provide counseling, support groups, protective order advocacy, and resource referrals to teenagers and young adults age 13 to 24 in its Beaverton, OR, office and its Hillsboro, OR location. Because of this funding, the Domestic Violence Resource Center will serve over 650 youth ages 13 to 24 in its new Young Adult Intervention Program, set to launch in January of 2011.
Domestic Violence Resource Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit since 1975, works to empower all individuals and families to have safe and healthy relationships. Domestic Violence Resource Center serves over 10,000 individuals in the metropolitan area each year.
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Thank you for your interest in our work to empower all individuals in the Washington County area to have safe and healthy relationships. Questions or concerns? Contact us!
Sincerely,
Sarah Keefe
Community Outreach/Education/Development Coordinator
Domestic Violence Resource Center
503-640-5352 x308
