Wednesday, October 20, 2010

community response to domestic violence panel October 20th

Vancouver, Wash. — Learn how community leaders respond to the impacts of domestic violence in Clark County at this panel discussion Wednesday, October 20th from 6-8pm at the ywca clark county community room, 3609 Main St., Vancouver. The panel includes: The Honorable Carin Schienberg, Clark County Commissioner, Detective Carole Boswell of the Vancouver Police Department, Reverend Shelly Fayette from The Church of the Good Shepherd, and Kathleen Lipiec, MSW Supervisor of the Care Management Dept. at SW WA Medical Center. This event, and the October 27th survivors panel from 1-3pm cap off the domestic violence awareness month activities hosted by ywca clark county.

As evidenced by the recent murder-suicide in Hazel Dell, our community is not immune to domestic violence. Clark County has lost over 42 lives to this crime in the past 13 years, ranking the county as the 5th highest in domestic violence related homicides and the 4th highest in related suicides in the state of Washington. Tomorrow’s event is a rare opportunity for the public to address this and other domestic violence related issues with community leaders. Next Wednesday’s event is a unique chance to hear from survivors and to understand the issues from a survivor’s perspective.

The SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program offers a variety of services including one-to-one appointments, legal advocacy, shelter, classes, support-group sessions and walk-in/phone-in advocacy. As the leader in domestic violence related services for Clark County, SafeChoice is staffed with expert advocates, connected with related area organizations, and stocked with the most current resources and information. The public can reach the SafeChoice hotline 24 hours a day at 360 695 0501, or toll free at 800 695 0167.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

ywca clark county receives WSU Vancouver’s Community Award of Distinction

ywca clark county received the WSUV Community Award for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at a Scholarship and Recognition Dinner on October 5th. This award distinguishes ywca clark county as having succeeded in broadly helping achieve equity, diversity and inclusion within Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV) territory.

ywca clark county submitted a 500 word narrative as part of the application process. In this narrative, ywca reflects upon their status as the sole organization in the county, “offering two programs dedicated to victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, with special advocacy and services for LGBTQ, youth, incarcerated women, men, Spanish and Russian speakers, homeless and low income children/families.” ywca clark county welcomes all community members to participate in any of the seven programs providing critical services to specific community needs.

“From the two year old whom our CASA advocates are speaking up for to the 20-year-survivor of domestic violence, to the African American students who must face the confederate flag, our programs strive to provide proactive solutions, empower positive life choices, and celebrate and respect the dignity of each and every person in Clark County,” said Jennifer Werdel, Director of Development and Communications at ywca clark county.

The Award for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is one of two Community Awards offered by WSUV. Peggy Hays, who manages the Family-to-Family program for the Division of Children and Family Services was the recipient of the Community Partnership Award, honoring her service to the children of the community. Chancellor H.A. Dengerink, who believes in a strong relationship between the university and community, implemented the awards in 2009 to recognize those who work to build the community.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

ywca clark county recieves part of $3 million nationwide grant from the mary kay foundation to combat domestic violence in clark county

The ywca clark county SafeChoice domestic violence shelter has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual #3 million national domestic violence grant program. The grant will be used to support a part-time advocate to manage the Children’s Advocacy Program within the SafeChoice domestic violence shelter.

The Children’s Advocacy Program supports children as individuals while living at the shelter with their parent. The advocate will help supervise the children while their parents attend support groups; implement activities that are educational, fun and therapeutic; plan for celebrations, such as birthdays and holidays, while children are separated from extended family; and provide advocacy to both children and parents during their shelter stay.

Domestic Violence Outlook

According to the second “Mary Kay Truth About Abuse” national survey conducted in March 2010, domestic violence shelters indicate the economic downturn has increased demand for services. Shelters also report, the ability to raise funds and provide services will be hampered into 2011. Due to the economy, the survey also revealed:

  • 88% of domestic violence shelters expect their overall situation will worsen, or remain the same in 2011.
  • 77% of domestic violence shelters report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse.
  • 51% of shelters nationwide note the abuse is more violent now than before the economic downturn.

“In light of the economic downturn and alarming increases in domestic violence, The Mary Kay Foundation’s mission is more critical than ever before. The SafeChoice domestic violence shelter has helped so many people and their families in the Vancouver area. We know they will use these funds to benefit even more domestic violence survivors and their children and help end domestic violence,” said Jennifer Cook, The Mary Kay Foundation board member.

About the SafeChoice Program
The goal of the SafeChoice Program is to provide a safe, supportive, non-violent, non-judgmental shelter, including advocacy-based counseling and referral services, for women and children affected by domestic violence. The program offers women the information and services they need to evaluate their needs and make decisions for them and their families.

About The Mary Kay Foundation
The Mary Kay Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded nearly $25 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and more than $14 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).