Micah Voice s - Micah`s Place

Micah s Voice
CRISIS TO CONFIDENCE - MORE THAN A SHELTER
The Micah’s Place Newsletter • Volume 3, Issue 2
Survivor’s Story
I have been thinking a lot about writing about my experiences. Not a novel, although with everything I have
been through, I could! Just a short story about the ups and downs and all the help I received and what an
impact Micah's Place had on my whole family. I sit here in tears when I think of everything I went through in life
to get where I am at today. I was in abusive relationships as soon as I started dating at 16... and it just got
worse. It was mostly mental abuse which I think is the worst kind. Bruises heal a lot faster! The transition from
mental to physical abuse was so natural. After all I DID deserve it... at least that is what he convinced me of.
My 9 year old saved my life. I will always remember the look on his face when he gave me a phone number
and said to me "please call and get help mom, this lady can help you." So young, but yet so wise.
I never would have called but I knew that for my kids to be happy, I needed to. At first, it wasn't easy living at
Micah's place. So many women and children were in and out and I thought there were so many rules. I was
there for 3 months. I watched a lot of women come in over night or for a couple of days just to go back, like
they thought it would be better the next time. I did too, for years. But with all the help from the Micah's Place
staff and the support from my family, I learned that it doesn't get better but I do deserve better. Now I am very
busy remodeling our new home, spending GOOD time with my kids, and experiencing what you would call a
HEALTHY relationship. I plan on getting married although I haven't set a date yet but I know now what it means
to be truly happy and I'm gonna go for it. Thanks so much Micah's Place!
P.S. I was checking out the Micah's Place web sight and saw the clothesline project photos and noticed that
MY shirt was right in the middle of the picture. It made me cry...but it was for the good.
-Editor's note: Micah's Place estimates that it may take 7 times for a victim to completely leave their situation since they often
have no money or transportation and must make tremendous decisions about their children. Also, leaving is the most
dangerous time in a victim's relationship. It takes great strength.
Good-bye and Welcome to Executive Directors
A sad good-bye to Jan Christiansen who has moved to Naples to be close to her parents. The Board of
Directors, staff, and volunteers are grateful for Jan's dedication during her three years as Executive Director. But
none are as grateful as the victims of domestic violence. Good luck to you, Jan!
An enthusiastic welcome to our new Executive Director, Shandra Riffey! Shandra directed Lee Conlee House,
the domestic violence center which serves all of Putnam Co. With a wealth of experience to take us to the next
level, we look forward to Shandra's demonstrated talent and devotion.
WWW.MICAHSPLACE.ORG
IN THIS ISSUE: Contributor’s List • Letter from the President • Wish List • Youth Program
Update & More!
2 • MICAH’S VOICE • SUMMER 2007
WWW.MICAHSPLACE.ORG
From the President
– Elisa Simpson, Micah’s Place Board President
Micah s Place
Micah’s Place is a notfor-profit, community based
organization providing a
multi-faceted program
geared towards eliminating
domestic violence in our
community.
Services include shelter,
individual and group
counseling, youth
programs, advocacy, and
community and prevention
education and training.
24-Hour Crisis Hotline
1 (800) 500-1119
Micah’s Place
Administrative Office
Post Office Box 16287
Fernandina Beach,
Florida 32035
Phone: 904-491-6364
Fax: 904-491-6362
E-mail:
Micahsplace_dd@bellsouth.net
Please help spread
the word about
Micah’s Place
services and
programs by
displaying our
brochures, posters &
flyers in your
place of business.
Call 904-491-6364,
and we will gladly
bring materials to you.
As I sat down to write this article I
found myself experiencing feelings of
sadness and excitement, all at the same
time. I'm sad because my term as
President of the Board of Directors is
coming to a close. I'm also sad that while
we've made great progress in the fight
against domestic violence, we still have
victims calling our hotline every day.
But I'm excited because our future is
bright and there are great things
happening at Micah's Place. Shandra
Riffey is our new Executive Director and
comes to us after 7 years as Executive
Director/CEO for Lee Conlee House, the
Domestic Violence Center in Palatka, FL.
Shandra also serves on the Board of
Directors for the Florida Coalition Against
Domestic Violence (FCADV.) She brings
experience in domestic violence issues,
operations management, fundraising,
marketing, and strategic planning.
What is
Domestic Violence?
The Florida Coalition Against
Domestic Violence states that Domestic
violence is a pattern of assaultive and
coercive behaviors. The intent of these
behaviors is for the batterer to establish
power and control over the survivor. The
behaviors are more than an isolated
incident.
Domestic violence almost
always involves various forms of control -physical, sexual, psychological,
economic, etc. Domestic violence is not
isolated to people who are married; it
occurs with dating adolescents, same
sex couples, adults living together, etc.
The defining characteristic is that they
share an intimate relationship.
From July ’05 - June ‘06 Micah’s Place...
We are so fortunate to have Sandy
Sproat as our incoming President of the
Board of Directors. Sandy, as PresidentElect, has been a tremendous help to me
this year and she is already working with
Shandra, our new Executive Director, to
enhance and bring even more services to
Nassau County. Sandy and Shandra
will give new meaning to the term
'Dynamic Duo'.
As my term ends, I have an
overwhelming feeling of thankfulness,
thankful to be a part of this organization
and this community. I will never forget
the amazing group of people I've been
fortunate to work with, including the
Board of Directors, Auxiliary, volunteers,
staff, and our partners in the community.
YOU are the reason we are successful
and I thank you.
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS
October:
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 5, 2007:
Peace Breakfast,
Women's Club of Fernandina Beach
October 13, 2007:
Steakout, Yulee Super Wal-Mart
Support groups for victims and
survivors of domestic violence –
Tuesday evenings and Mondays at 10:00 am
in Callahan. Please call 904-548-4646 for
location and more information.
Domestic Violence Task Force- every
fourth Monday, Callahan Lion's Club, 6:00
pm. Public is welcome. For more information
call 904-548-4646 or 904-491-6364.
...received 861 hotline & crisis calls
MICAH’S VOICE •SUMMER 2007 • 3
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Micah's Place Accepted into Middle Schools
– Amanda Rolf, Micah’s Place Youth Program Manager
In April, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruis
approved the newly created Micah's Place middle
school curriculum. Micah's Place Youth Program
Manager Amanda Rolf will partner with Andreu
Powell, Director of Intervention and Prevention for the
Nassau County School Board, to implement this
program in the schools.
“While presenting our Dating Violence Awareness
Curriculum (DVAC) to freshman students throughout
Nassau County, I realized that the program was
serving as an intervention effort rather than the
originally intended prevention curriculum,” Amanda
states. “So we targeted sixth graders with a middle
school curriculum to help prepare them for our high
school program.”
Although, the middle school and high school
curriculums' objectives and themes are very similar,
they do not duplicate each other. The middle school
curriculum will cover two class periods and examine
the differences between healthy and unhealthy
relationships, bullying, ways to identify unhealthy
relationships, effects of an unhealthy relationship,
safety, and consequences to abusive behavior.
Relationships discussed will include friends, family
members or boyfriends/girlfriends.
The curriculum is as interactive as possible with
many different types of media and activities to
capture and hold students' attention. Students will
participate in a skit which outlines a story involving
different aspects of unhealthy relationships. Another
skit has students participating as judge, jury or the
District Attorney's prosecution team. The judge
decides who should be on trial and the jury decides
what each person's punishment should be. Thank you
to Rayonier for supporting this program
-- Carol Ann Atwood, Auxiliary Chair
Our sixth annual Home and Garden Tour was held March 13 and 14 and
was extremely successful with almost 900 guests attending. It took 300
volunteers to make the event so outstanding and Micah's Place received over
$32,000 as a result. “Hats off” to the event's chairperson Joy McCabe, who
will also chair the event in 2008.
On May 15, the Auxiliary's spring luncheon was held at the Ocean Club
on Amelia Island Plantation. Guests were introduced to the new Micah's
Place Executive Director Shandra Riffey and Iris Jacobsen was elected the
Auxiliary's Chair.
Micah's Place Auxiliary is a volunteer auxiliary that was formed to assist
in fundraising and community education efforts throughout our community.
Micah’s Place Auxiliary raises money through annual fundraisers, such as the
Home & Garden Tour, and in other innovative ways. To share your time and
your heart please call 904-491-6364.
Annual dues are $25 for July 2007-2008. Send your check to Micah's
Place, P. O. Box 16287, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035. Please join us!!
...provided 4,048 counseling hours
Shelter News
– Sue Bartholomae, Micah's
Place Board of Directors
There is a new electric
gate at the shelter entrance
and what a difference it
makes. Now that the new
gate is in place, security is
improved and entering and
leaving the premises is a
much smoother operation.
Micah's Place has always
needed items for the shelter
but suddenly there was no
more space for the
wonderfully donated goods!
The problem has been solved
with a storage shed, a real
asset for the Shelter.
...and provided 3,320 nights of shelter
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Micah’s Place Auxiliary
4 • MICAH’S VOICE • SUMMER 2007
CAUSE CHANGE
Domestic violence touches all of us. You may have
had a personal experience; witnessed the
heartbreak of a child who witnessed violence in the
home; or lost workforce hours as an employer of
someone in an abusive situation. You are vital to our
effort to bring hope, help and healing to victims of
domestic violence. Volunteer with us, or please
consider a donation. YOU can cause change.
Thank you.
Name _________________________________
Street _________________________________
_________________________________
City _________________ State____ Zip_____
Yes, I would like to volunteer. Call me ____________
Enclosed is $_______, my tax deductible donation
(please make checks payable to Micah's Place)
Send to:
Micah's Place, P. O. Box 16287
Fernandina Beach, FL 32035
WWW.MICAHSPLACE.ORG
DONORS
January 1, 2007 through April 30, 2007
Our work at Micah’s Place would not be possible without
the generosity and support of so many in our community…
Robert & Dorothy Bolton
Baptist Medical Center Nassau
Robert & Barbara Bookman
Chaplin Property Management
Chardonnay Foundation
Sherry E. Conner
Kenneth & Carol Copithorne
John & Emily Crawford
Richard & Jean Dietterich
Delfina Dionne
Diane L. Eldredge
Terry & Ann Farmand
First Coast Community Bank
First Federal Savings Bank
C.F. & M.G. Gordon, Jr.
Vivian Hawxhurst
Hazel Allen Group of W.M.U.
Donald and Elizabeth Hooley
Island Massages
Ann Keating
Robert P & Jean W Kirby
Brien & Lois Laing
Marcia Landry
Robert & Lynn Laplaca
Kathleen M. Ligare
William & Ann Long
Macedonia AME Church
Frank Malone, Jr.
Anthony C. Marmon
Donald McCurry and Suzanne Keith
Inez Merritt
Douglas & Mary Louise Nelson
Pace Family Charitable Fund
Paul Clark Ford - Mercury, Inc
William & Elizabeth Peace
Prudential Chaplin Williams
Rayonier
James & Anne Sands
Ronald Singleton
Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises,
Inc
Summer Beach Realty
Clifton & Melissa Thomas
Pamella D. Thomas
Richard & Patricia Troxel
United Methodist Women
United Way of NE FL
VFW Post 10095 Ladies Auxiliary
David & Tina Vigh
Wal Mart
Barbara W. Webster
Linda S. Wheeler
Robert P. Wight
Laura Wolfe
Anita Zeidman
SPECIAL DONATIONS
IN MEMORY OF
Ms. Jean M. Gray
Laurens MacLure
William Wolfe
IN HONOR OF
Brien & Lois Laing
Doris P. Lassiter
Jean Miller
Alice Wells Payne
Anita Zeidman
Extra Special Thanks To:
Our partners at the Fernandina Beach News
Leader, Nassau County Record, and Nassau
Neighbor for constant coverage of Micah's Place
events and issues.
Radio stations WAPE 95.1, WJGL 96.9 FM
The Eagle, WJGR 1320, WJSJ Rock 105, and
WMXQ 102.9 FM The Point for interviews
during the last quarter about domestic violence
and Micah's Place programs and these fine
businesses which continuously donate their
services to help victims of domestic violence:
•
•
•
•
Amelia Lock and Key
Changes Hairstyle
Daniel Cab
Hairworks
• Kelly Pest Control
• Martex Services
• PC Resurrection
Please notify us if we have listed you incorrectly or inadvertently omitted your name.
MICAH’S VOICE • SUMMER 2007 • 5
WWW.MICAHSPLACE.ORG
Students Support Survivors
Little Women of Fernandina Beach donated 87 cell phones
that they had collected for Micah's Place. Cell phones
continue to be 911 accessible after being discarded and
Micah's Place offers these donated phones to victims of
domestic violence to use in an emergency. Advisor Barbi
Townsend accompanied the 10th, 11th and 12th graders
who represent high schools in Yulee and Fernandina
Beach. Sponsored by the Women's Club of Fernandina
Beach, these girls complete a community project each
month.
The Nassau Community Academy (NCA) students and
parents participated in this year’s Souper Bowl of Caring, a
national food drive. This is a youth-led effort which joins
various other charities in the fight against hunger. NCA is
an alternative school and students chose Micah’s Place as
the recipient of their food collection to help stock the
emergency shelter pantry for survivors of domestic violence.
New Tax Legislation for Donors
Through December 31, 2007, if you are age 70 ½ or older, you can withdraw and donate up to
$100,000 from your IRA tax-free. This strategy can lower your income and possibly decrease the tax you
pay on your Social Security income. You will receive no tax deduction, but you also do not have to include
the contribution in your gross income for the year. You can also credit the amount donated toward satisfying
any required minimum distribution (RMD) you might have from your IRA(s).
Your financial institution will need to make the donation directly from your IRA to the charity. Gifts made to
grant-making foundations, donor-advised funds or charitable gift annuities are excluded from these rules.
Life is full of hardships and happiness. Celebrate the life or accomplishments of a loved one by giving a
financial donation to Micah’s Place in someone’s name or honor. This is a valuable and positive way to celebrate
the life of a loved one, while helping Micah’s Place make a difference for survivors of domestic violence. If you
choose to make a donation in someone’s name or honor, a Memorial or Honorarium card will be sent directly
from our office to the recipient.
6 • MICAH’S VOICE • SUMMER 2007
WWW.MICAHSPLACE.ORG
Miles Jaye Concert Benefits Micah’s Place
March 31, 2007 was a terrific evening here in Fernandina Beach, Florida, thanks to event coordinator Joyce
Jones and internationally known R&B performer Miles Jaye. The audience was not only entertained, they were
informed about domestic violence. Each year Mr. Jaye presents an award to honor the memory of his mother
and this year Micah's Place volunteer Barbara Oden was selected. An added treat was a donation from Wal
Mart to support Micah's Place.
And as a result of the evening, two guests in attendance made decisions for positive changes in their lives.
One said she made her decision after the speakers’ presentations and the other said she made her decision after
Miles sang "I Been A Fool For You - But It's Over Now.”
Mr. Jaye not only sings, beautifully plays a variety of instruments, and is an author, he is a community activist
supporting so many worthwhile efforts.
Micah's Place Welcome Bags
– Amanda Rolf, Micah’s Place Youth Program Manager
Welcome bags are made by staff to give to the adults and different ages of children who come to the
Micah's Place emergency shelter. The bags include a letter from staff, personal hygiene products for the adults
and four coupons for children that can be redeemed for a toy or stuffed animal.
Marilyn Evans-Jones Receives Award
Volunteer Jacksonville acknowledges the effective hard work
of volunteers each year at their Heart of Gold Awards at the
Times Union Center for the Performing Arts in Jacksonville.
This year, Micah's Place Honorary Board Member and Past
President Marilyn Evans-Jones was selected for the Young at
Heart Award which was presented in front of an auditorium
audience of thousands. Media coverage of her award
highlighted domestic violence issues as did Marilyn's
documentary about Micah's Place which was shown during
her award presentation.
Congratulations to Marilyn; we are grateful for her
consistent work on behalf of the victims of domestic violence.
L-R Marilyn Evans-Jones and Roni Langhorne,
Shelter Manager
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Unfortunately we do not have enough toys for the welcome bags. And although there is always a need for
hygiene products, new residents would love journals, phone cards or gift certificates. Check online for our
“wish list” at www.micahsplace.org.
WWW.MICAHSPLACE.ORG
MICAH’S VOICE • SUMMER 2007 • 7
Micah's Place Receives Daily Points of Light Award
The Daily Points of Light Award honors an organization that is
making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others.
Micah's Place was selected for this tribute and was highlighted on
March 23, 2007 on the Points of Light web site (accessed by
clicking “past winners” on www.pointsoflight.org.) Micah's Place
was also presented with a plaque and a letter from President
Bush, graciously accepted by Elisa Simpson, Micah's Place Board
President.
SHELTER WISH LIST
The award was originally instituted during the administration
of Former President George Bush and is given through the Points
of Light Foundation. Every year, more than 100 million people in
this country volunteer their time, talent and energy to help others, to solve social
problems and to build stronger communities. They are Americans of all
backgrounds, ages, and beliefs doing extraordinary work to make a difference in
the lives of others. The Daily Points of Light program recognizes and encourages
others to emulate the work of these exceptional volunteers.
Clothing
Domestic Violence Task Force
Hilliard Mayor David Buchanan chaired the first Nassau County Domestic
Violence Task Force meeting in January, 2007. The intent was to invite the public
to work toward the development of an integrated plan to expand domestic
violence prevention and
intervention services. The
Task Force has been
successfully working to
educate the community and
develop a plan to support
the emotional and physical
needs of victims.
At the heart of the effort
was Micah’s Place former
Executive Director Jan
Christiansen according to
Angey Morrison, editor for
the Nassau County Record.
(L-R former executive director Jan Christiansen, Nassau County
“There is such a need
Record editor Angye Morrison, Task Force chair Hilliard Mayor
here,” Jan said, “and its
David Buchanan, Greater Nassau County Chamber of Commerce
affect ripples out into many director Louise Banks)
areas of the community – not
just the police. The school system is involved, churches, social services, Guardian
Ad Litem; all of these are impacted by domestic violence.” The Task Force meets
every fourth Monday at the Callahan Lion's Club at 6 pm. For more information
call Cathy at 904-548-4646.
Children’s Items
Arts & Crafts
Baby Wipes
Car Seats (new)
School Supplies
Book Bags
Toys
New Underwear/Bras All
Sizes
Household Items
Dishwasher Detergent
Dishwashing Liquid
Glass Cleaner
Laundry Detergent
Paper Products
Disposable Diapers
Tissues
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Paper Napkins
Hygiene/Health
Products
Shampoo/Conditioner
Feminine Hygiene Products
Shaving Gel
Disposable Razors
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Lotion
Bath Soap
Body Wash
Miscellaneous
Phone Cards
Grocery Gift Certificates
CALL US IF YOU CAN HELP.
For information on volunteering, call our Volunteer Coordinator at (904) 225-9979
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT#162
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL
32034
Micah s Place
Post Office Box 16287
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32035
Phone: 904-491-6364
Fax: 904-491-6362
Email: micahsplace_dd@bellsouth.net
24-Hour
Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-500-1119
Special points
of interest:
•2007 Contributors
•Youth Program Update
•Wish List
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Volume 3, Issue 1
Shandra Riffey
Executive Director
Katey Breen
Development Director
Roni Langhorne
Shelter Manager
Board of Directors
Elisa Simpson, President
Sandy Sproat, President-Elect
Tippi Lassiter, Vice President
Hank Spellman, Treasurer
Carol Ann Atwood, Secretary
Charles Albert
Bill Amos
Sue Bartholomae
Elaine Coats
John Drew
The Reverend Lisa Flores
Queet Hertweck
Patricia Leavy
France s Richardson
Donald Riney
Audrey Schiebler
Sheriff Tommy Seagraves
James Shaw
Pam Simmons
Marilyn Evans-Jones, President Emeritus
Susan Little, Honorary Board Member
Iris Nicholson, Honorary Board Member
Linda Starr, Rep. for Sheriff Seagraves
Informacion Imporatante
¿Qué es la violencia doméstica? La violencia doméstica es el abuso por parte
de alguien cercano, padre, esposo o pareja sexual de una persona. Puede tomar
muchas formas. Aquí les describimos algunos tipos de abuso: el abuso físico es
el uso de la fuerza física; el abuso sexual quiere decir cualquier actividad sexual
forzada; el abuso emocional incluye amenazas, crítica constante y
degradaciones. Controlar el acceso al dinero y las actividades son otros
comportamientos abusivos.
Para esas víctimas de violencia doméstica, que necesiten ayuda, por favor
llamar al la línea de emergencia durante las 24 horas del día.
1-800-500-1119
You can help to reduce costs by opting to receive the
Micah’s Place newsletter by e-mail only. Please send an
e-mail to micahsplace_dd@bellsouth.net, with your request.
Please donate your used cell phone to Micah’s Place.
We accept any phone, regardless of age or condition.
Please call 904-491-6364 for more information