Wednesday, March 27, 2013

YWCA Clark County Raises Awareness About Sexual Assault

April Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and YWCA Clark County is hosting a series of events to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate local communities on prevention. This April, events for SAAM are sponsored in part by a generous grant from the Church of the Good Shepherd.

On Tuesday, April 9th from 6-8pm, YWCA will host Cory Jewell-Jenson, M.S. who will discuss protecting children from sexual assault. She is Co-Director of the Center for Behavioral Intervention, one of the largest and oldest sex offender evaluation and treatment programs in Oregon. Cory has worked with adult sex offenders and their families for 28 years. Ms. Jewell-Jensen has provided training and consultation to a number of advocacy organizations throughout North America. She has also published a number of articles about sex offenders and risk management, received numerous awards for her work and has been a featured guest on radio talk shows and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Space is limited, please RSVP to events@ywcaclarkcounty.org or call 360 906 9132.

On Saturday, April 27th at 2:00pm, Yoga Calm will visit YWCA Clark County to offer a free yoga session for mothers and 9-14 year daughters. Julie Wiesner, licensed clinical social worker and certified instructor will be joined by Kristin Harper, a child and family therapist and long-time practitioner of yoga. Space is limited. Preregistration is required. Contact Shari at slachin@ywcaclarkcounty.org or 360 906 9132.

On Monday, April 29th from 5:30-7:30pm, YWCA’s Sexual Assault Program will also host the third annual SAAM Art Show to empower survivors and allies to raise their voice and create community awareness around this topic. The theme is “It’s time to talk about it. Talk early, talk often. Prevent sexual violence.” Submission guidelines are available on YWCA’s Facebook page. Contact Shari at 360 906 9132 or slachin@ywcaclarkcounty.org for more information.

Sexual assault locally and nationally


According to Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, 33% of Washingtonian women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. That is one in three women in the state. Sexual assault is a complex topic and affects men, women and children. Nationwide, 3% of sexual assault victims are men, 17.6% are women and 15% are under the age of 12, according to rainn.org. Sexual assault occurs when someone is coerced or manipulated into any unwanted sexual activity. The dynamics of sexual assault can take on various forms and affect survivors and their families in many different ways. YWCA Clark County’s Sexual Assault Program helps survivors of sexual assault and their families overcome and heal from their trauma. To learn more about the Sexual Assault Program of YWCA please visit http://ywcaclarkcounty.org .

A 24-hour hotline is available to victims and survivors of sexual assault at 360 695 0501 or 800 695 0167.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Thank You Washington Legislators

By Natalie Wood

Visiting our legislators.
January was a busy time for many, but few  were as tightly scheduled as our state legislators as they prepared to head to Olympia for the legislative session. That did not deter our local representatives from taking time out of their day to come to YWCA Clark County and learn about our programs. Senator Cleveland and Representatives Harris, Moeller, Pike, Stonier, Vick and Wylie all joined us for a tour of YWCA to learn about services we provide to Clark County.

Without the support of our legislators, the work that we do would be difficult. On average, nearly half of our revenue is from government funding. It is our state legislators who create policies that directly impact our work. From confidentiality rights to mandated reporting, our services are often defined by the policies and allocations put into place by these individuals. As an organization, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of the legislators who made time to meet with us. Their recognition of the work that we do is greatly appreciated.

We encourage you to reach out to your representatives and share your gratitude as well. They have a tough job, and we appreciate their efforts to keep our community safe and thriving!

Meet Barbara Kuzmic

YWCA Clark County welcomes Barbara Kuzmic as the new Director of the Clark County CASA Program. Since early January 2013, when Barbara moved to the Pacific Northwest from the mountains of Colorado, YWCA Clark County has been fortunate to have her unique skills and experiences driving the CASA program.
Barbara Kuzmic

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a nationally accredited advocacy program administered for Clark County by YWCA. CASA’s are specially trained volunteers who advocate for children that are involved in the court or foster care system. As a voice for the child, a CASA ensures that the child’s interests are represented.  Barbara says, “Our volunteers are extremely brave and have huge hearts, and I’m very impressed by that.”

Barbara advocates for women and children throughout her entire career. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavioral Science at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, using her knowledge to empower women and enhance the lives of members of underserved communities ever since. After completing Masters coursework at the California Institute of Integral Studies, she worked as a private psychotherapist specializing in treating victims and perpetrators of criminal violence of physical and emotional abuse.

She also served as a private consultant for behavioral health companies, assisting them with recruiting, structuring and training. She honed her expertise with several organizations in different states, managing social programs, counseling and advocating for adults and juveniles with substance abuse problems, liaising between families, police and courts, and establishing organizational policies regarding drug testing. This work required sensitivity to the cultural norms of the communities she was working with, including American Indians and Native Hawaiians.

These experiences makes Barbara uniquely suited for directing the CASA program here in Clark County. Her work with perpetrators and victims, as well as her strong organizational background, allow her to bring a mixture of compassion and common sense to the position so that CASA can help as many children as possible. Her primary goal as CASA director is to ensure that all of the children in the CASA program are assigned an advocate. National standards dictate that there must be one paid staff member to every 30 CASA volunteers, so Barbara is in the process of obtaining funds in order to hire more staff to support more volunteers. This will ensure that all of the approximately 800 Clark County children who require advocacy receive it.

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month nationwide, and it is an ideal time for communities to raise awareness of child abuse and prevention. Barbara encourages anyone in the community who would like to make a difference in the life of a child to visit YWCA Clark County, and sign up to volunteer. Contact Stephanie Barr, Director of Volunteer Development at 360 906 9112 or sbarr@ywcaclarkcounty.org to learn more about volunteering with CASA.

March 2013 Y's Words

Spring is right around the corner, and YWCA Clark County is budding with excitement. We have many success stories to share from earlier this year, and much to look forward to on the horizon.

On March 2nd, we were honored to partake in the Classic Wines Auction, where $2.9 million was raised for five charities: Friends of the Children – Portland, New Avenues for Youth, Metropolitan Family Service, Randall Children’s Hospital and YWCA Clark County. A special thank you to our sponsors and guests.  Their generosity helps save lives and change lives. The amazing commitment and support of volunteers and staff, who worked tirelessly over the past several months, helped create a magical evening.  Thank You! The Classic Wines Auction is in the process of reconciling all donations, and by early May we should know how much revenue YWCA will receive from the auction.

We also met with state legislators earlier this year to share our gratitude for their time and our needs for future support. Natalie Wood, Director of Programs, provides a brief review in this month’s newsletter. We’re also grateful to United Way, Hands On Greater Portland and Kohl’s Cares who provided support for the new carpet covering the East wing of our community building. Stephanie Barr, Director of Volunteer Development, mentions this and more exciting developments in the Volunteer Venue: a special section of the newsletter focused on volunteers.  Also in this month’s newsletter, meet CASA Program Director, Barbara Kuzmic, whose strong background in advocacy and cultural awareness make her well suited for the position.

April is Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month as well as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. YWCA will be hosting awareness activities throughout April. Some dates are still being finalized, so keep your mailbox open and watch for an announcement later this month. We will also be raising funds this spring for the  Children’s Advocacy Program, a division of our SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program which empowers  parents and children to re-define a future through strength-based planning. Every dollar makes a difference. Please give what you can to support these families seeking a better future .

Lastly, we are gearing up for our benefit luncheon and invite you to secure your sponsorship early. Although the luncheon isn’t until September, now is the best time to secure your sponsorship to take advantage of all the benefits. Consider signing up today!

Strong Alone.  Fearless Together.

Sherri Bennett

Raising Awareness About Sexual Assault

By Shari Lachin

As we transition from winter to spring here in the Pacific Northwest, YWCA Clark County is preparing for Sexual Assault Awareness month (SAAM) in April.  The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate local communities on prevention.  This April, YWCA Clark County is hosting a series of events to support SAAM efforts nationwide. Events for SAAM are sponsored in part by a generous grant from the Church of the Good Shepherd.

According to Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, 33 percent of Washingtonian women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.  That is one in three women in the state!  Sexual assault is a complex topic and affects men, women and children.  Nationwide, 3% of sexual assault victims are men, 17.6% are women and 15% are under the age of 12, according to rainn.org.  We know that sexual assault occurs when someone is coerced or manipulated into any unwanted sexual activity.   The dynamics of sexual assault can take on various forms and affect survivors and their families in many different ways.  YWCA Clark County’s Sexual Assault Program helps survivors of sexual assault and their families overcome and heal from their trauma.  If you are interested in understanding more about the Sexual Assault Program of YWCA please visit http://ywcaclarkcounty.org.

On Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 6:30pm, YWCA will host Cory Jewell-Jensen, M.S., in an open-to-the-public forum.  She is Co-Director of the Center for Behavioral Intervention, one of the largest and oldest sex offender evaluation and treatment programs in Oregon. Cory has worked with adult sex offenders and their families for 28 years.  Ms. Jewell-Jensen has provided training and consultation to a number of advocacy organizations throughout North America.   She has also published a number of articles about sex offenders and risk management, received numerous awards for her work and has been a featured guest on radio talk shows and the Oprah Winfrey Show.  For more information or to attend this free presentation, please RSVP to events@ywcaclarkcounty.org or call 360 906 9132.

YWCA’s Sexual Assault Program will also host the third annual SAAM Art Show that empowers survivors and allies to raise their voice and create community awareness around this topic.  If you are interested in submitting art for the show, please deliver your submission to  YWCA Clark County by Thursday, April 11, at 5pm.  If approved, submissions will be on display at YWCA’s community room beginning Monday, April 22.  An artist reception and contest will be held on Monday, April 29.  Further details regarding this and other events in April will be shared on our facebook page at http://facebook.com/ywcacc.  We look forward to seeing you in April for SAAM events!

Sponsoring Hope and Success

By Sharon Svec

Education, awareness, donations, volunteering; there are many ways to support the community you love, yet sponsorship offers an unmatched degree of visibility and name recognition. By sponsoring a YWCA event, your group or business gains visibility and support from local leaders of social justice and women’s empowerment. This month, YWCA Clark County is opening up dozens of sponsor opportunities with a range of giving levels for our 19th annual benefit luncheon to be held in September. This year, the luncheon takes a dramatic approach toward enlightenment and engagement. Whether or not you plan on sponsoring , reserve September 18th on your calendars for a luncheon you’ll never forget.

Columbia Credit Union understands the value of sponsoring YWCA’s dynamic and inspiring luncheons and has already agreed to be the lead sponsor this year. “With nearly 1 in 3 Clark County families banking with Columbia Credit Union, we know that what’s good for our community can be really great for our members. One organization that we’ve stood alongside for 18 years is YWCA Clark County” said Colleen Boccia, SVP Marketing and Chief Deposit Officer of Columbia Credit Union. Along two dozen other sponsors and 14 table sponsors, it was possible to underwrite all expenses of YWCA’s 2012 benefit luncheon and invest money raised from the event back into YWCA’s seven life-changing programs.

Sponsor levels range from $1000 to $5000 with varying degrees of benefits, including logo or name recognition on event advertising and collateral, a table for 10 at the luncheon, social media recognition, and more. Potential sponsors should contact Lisa Bechtold at 360 906 9157 or lbechtold@ywcaclarkcounty.org. Lisa is happy to discuss your sponsorship options, provide a tour of our facilities, and establish a meaningful connection between your business and YWCA Clark County – our area’s leader of social service and social justice.

The Children's Advocacy Program of YWCA

By Megan Dixon and Claire Morgan

Clark County has the feel of a small-town, suburban city, yet the prevalence of domestic violence mirrors that of larger metropolitan areas. Last year in Clark County, over 1,500 cases of domestic violence were reported to the police, and there were 8 domestic violence related homicides; the same number as King County. Additionally in 2011, YWCA’ SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program provided 8,389 bed nights at its local shelter to women, children, and men escaping violence. Half of domestic violence cases involve children in the home; the effects of which are detrimental.

Some believe that children who have never experienced physical pain from an abuser are immune to the effects of violence in the home; this simply isn’t the case. Studies show that children who are exposed to violence have an increased rate of anxiety, fear, and anger as well as poor sleeping patterns, withdrawal from social interactions, and decreased verbal ability. Domestic violence has damaging effects on the parent-child relationship such as a decrease in the children’s trust in parents, undermining of parental authority, and an eroding view of positive family interactions. These effects, if not addressed properly, can impact a child’s future and make the child more prone to tolerate further abuse and/or perpetuate abuse as an adult.

Fortunately for our community, the SafeChoice Children’s Advocacy Program is working to end the cycle of violence by empowering families and elevating the parent/child bond. A family support specialist works with parents and children to create a strength-based plan unique to their situation. After school, the program offers free play and structured activities for children in a safe and enriching environment. With staff and volunteer support, families participating in the Children’s Advocacy Program enrich relationships, receive resources and advocacy, and become empowered to pursue a strong and secure future.

This spring, the SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program of YWCA Clark County is raising $15,000 to strengthen the Children’s Advocacy Program and help ensure children healing from a violent past can have a successful future. Through the generosity of loyal supporters, every dollar that you give through June 30th will be matched, dollar for dollar up to $5,000.  Will you donate today and support future generations through this preventative program?