May 2014 E-Newsletter - Domestic Violence Services of

M aY 2 0 1 4
Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland & Perry Counties
“100th Anniversary of Mother’s Day”
As a child…
I remember Mother’s Day as mom’s special day. A day for flowers, gifts and time spent
celebrating her and the other mothers in our family. There were visits to our grandmother’s
houses to let them know how much they were thought of on this special day.
As an Auxiliary Officer of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1299…
I’ve learned more as to how this national holiday to honor our mothers came about and would
like to share the following information with you.
Frank E. Hering, a Past Grand Worthy President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in South
Bend, Indiana, campaigned for "a national day to honor our mothers," nearly 35 years after
social activist Ann Jarvis first proposed a similar U.S. holiday. The idea of advocating for
Mother's Day came to Hering when he was a faculty member at the University of Notre Dame.
Walking into the classroom of a fellow instructor, Hering found his colleague distributing
penny postcards to students. Each student addressed his or her card and scribbled a message
on it. Hering was informed the students could write anything, as long as it was addressed to
the students’ mothers.
Hering leveraged his connection with the Fraternal Organization of Eagles to organize its
members in promoting the holiday, and in 1914, legislation in the U.S. Congress requested a
presidential proclamation to designate the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. This date
was encouraged by Anna Marie Jarvis, daughter of Ann Jarvis who continued her mother's
work in crusading for a U.S. memorial day for mothers. President Woodrow Wilson signed the
proclamation and May 10, 1914 became the first official Mother's Day.
Harry Blose
Diane Collier
Sonja Cornfield
Rep. Sheryl Delozier
Pastor T.J. George, VP
Lt. Mark Green, Pres.
Lance E. Kessler
Kristin Mertz
Christina Persson
Dr. Arlene Seid
As a mother and survivior…
Diane Sherwood
This year I look forward to a Mother’s Day like those of years ago, one spent with my children,
the wonderful man now in my life, family and friends, but it hasn’t always been that way.
There was a time when I spent several years not being able to enjoy this day as every mother
should. Instead, I spent it in fear for my life and those I love. My thoughts were consumed by
protecting my children, myself and my family from the abusive man I had been engaged to, a
man that portrayed himself to others as a kind and giving person but behind closed doors was
controlling, hurtful and manipulative. A man that slowly stripped my life away as all I had
known it to be. I was fortunate to have the support of a loving family, the legal system and
DVSCP to help me get to the happier place I am today.
As fortunate as I am, my life experience and work with the agency, shows me that there are
many in the place I was years ago. There are mothers and children living in abusive
households afraid to leave, those who have found the strength to flee to shelters to try and
rebuild their lives and those so sadly less fortunate that have become fatalities.
I want to thank all of you who support the agency and the services we provide. Without you we
would not be able to do all we do to help the victims in our communities.
Also, I want to ask you while celebrating this Sunday, the mothers in your lives, please
remember the mothers and children not able to celebrate this day as they should. Let’s all
continue to work together to make this a lesser number for next Mother’s Day. If you think
someone may be a victim of abusive behavior…speak up. Provide support, our hotline number
and let these mothers, these women know they are not alone.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!
Board of
Directors
Jill Smeigh, Executive Assistant
Karen Shirey
Margaret Simok
Jan Matthew Tamanini
Pastor Gwenn Trout, Sec.
Gayle Wark, Treas.
SAVE
THE
DATE!
Walk A Mile
In Her
Shoes
May 26th
The Board of Directors would like to extend
congratulations to our own Executive Director, Ann
Shields. On March 25, 2014 at the Hershey Lodge, she
was a recipient of the 2014 Tribute to Women of
Excellence award presented by the YWCA of
Harrisburg. This year was the 25th year of the
award and it is given to those women who have
made significant contributions to their communities,
companies or organizations in which they represent.
It is quite an honor to be recognized and to be now
among the other prestigious past award winners.
The community is quite fortunate to have Ann
serving as Executive Director of DVSCP and the
Board of Directors is quite proud of this
accomplishment.
Mark Green
Board President
One of our shelter residents organized and planned a Paper Lantern Release
fundraiser to help raise money to remodel our shelter bathrooms. It was held
on May 3, 2014 and, although the weather was a bit chilly and rainy,
everyone had a great time and won some amazing prizes. The weather
cleared just in time for everyone to release the paper lanterns, and it was a
beautiful site!
Running With A Mission
Running With A Mission, a 5K fundraiser, was held
at South Middleton Township Park on Saturday,
April 5, 2014. Despite harsh winds and cold
temperatures, Safe Harbour, The Salvation Army,
Carlisle CARES, and members of the community
joined DVSCP in order to spread awareness, raise
money, and participate in the 5K race. The
collaboration of all four agencies and the support of
members of the community helped make this event a
success! Thank you to all who planned, came to, and
contributed to Running with a Mission. Please join
us in November for our annual Mission Walk through
Carlisle!
On April 7, 2014, The Cumberland County Office of Victim Services
hosted its 13th Annual Victims’ Rights Rally in Carlisle. The event
started at the old Courthouse in Carlisle where Michelle Sibert, Director
of the Victim Services Division, Tim Scott, the Mayor of Carlisle,
District Attorney of Cumberland County David Freed, and Adrianne
Vaughn from the Victim Services Division addressed members of the
community who attended the rally. Joyce McComas, a victim of theft,
also spoke to the crowd, telling her story and indicating the importance
of victims’ rights. Awards were presented to law enforcement officers
and members of the community who play an active role in supporting
victims and the local agencies who help victims of crime. We presented
an award to our volunteer, Jean Smith, in recognition of her years of
service with our agency. The rally ended with a one-mile walk through
Carlisle and refreshments back at the old Courthouse.
CVAP, Crime Victims Alliance of Pennsylvania, hosted its 22 ndAnnual
Crime Victims’ Rights Rally at the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, April 7,
2014 in Harrisburg. This event took place as part of national Crime
Victims’ Rights Week, which began April 6, 2014. DVSCP attended the
event to support the cause and to have a table in order to provide
resources to spectators at the rally. Speakers included Monica Iskric,
who is Chair of the Center for Juvenile Justice Training & Research,
Jennifer Storm, who is the Commonwealth Victim Advocate, two crime
survivors, Stephanie Fessler and Larissa Rinker, District Attorney of
Cumberland County Dave Freed, Montour County District Attorney
Rebecca Warren, and Governor Tom Corbett.
Perry County Area Agency on Aging and
Perry Link hosted an Annual Spring
Fling on March 28, 2014 at The Family
Life Center in Newport, PA. Brian Duke,
Secretary of Aging for Pennsylvania,
attended and spoke to the large
gathering of over 300 community
residents. Entertainment included Perry
the Guitar Man and The Sinceres. The
“Community Connections Area”
provided an abundance of resource
information for the attendees
including, West Shore EMS,
MidPenn Legal Services, both Holy
Spirit and Pinnacle Heath Hospitals,
various health screening tables, and
many more. Door prizes were
donated by each vendor and were
given away towards the end of the
successful event.
Annual
Spring
Fling
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
Dickinson College held its annual student led
rally, Take Back The Night, on April 16th 2014.
Over 200 college students, faculty, staff, and
community members attended. The evening
began in Allison Hall where a few students
and administrators spoke about sexual
assault and relationship violence. The guest
speaker, Leslie Morgan Steiner, author of the
book CRAZY LOVE, took the stage and shared
her experiences in a domestic violence
relationship. The evening continued with a
march across campus and ended with a
candlelight vigil at Old West to remember
those affected by sexual assault and domestic
violence.
“Say No More to
Domestic Violence
And
Sexual Assault
in Pennsylvania”
Thank you to all who attended PCADV and
PCAR Legislative Advocacy Day at the
Capitol on April 29, 2014.
DVSCP Would Like to “Thank” the Following...
Tom Pedersen from Amazon has
again shown our agency enormous
generosity by donating several
pallets of items to our shelter. We
received cases of genie disposal
diaper trash bags, luggage, and
new toys for the children at our
shelter. The donations we receive
from Tom continue to provide
happiness and joy to the women
and children reclaiming their lives.
DVSCP would like to thank Ashcombe
Farm and Greenhouses for their
donation to our agency. Their employees
recently had a raffle at their store,
donating the money earned to
DVSCP. We appreciate your support and
the surprise donation. Thank you!
Sally Brooks and Barb Breen continue to update our
shelter with their talents. They updated our 2nd floor
bathroom with new wall paint, painted the sink
cabinet, and provided new shower and window
curtains. They also painted the 2nd floor hallway and
door frames. These two women have dedicated so
much of their time to help the shelter continue to
provide a fresh and comfortable place for victims of
domestic violence.
Before Picture—Below
After Picture—Right
We Need Your Help
We are very blessed to be part of such a giving community and because of that much of
our emergency shelter has been remodeled and repairs have been done. We are still in
need of remodeling and repairs for our bathrooms and kitchen. If you or anyone you
know are able to help us with these needs, please contact our Shelter Manager at
717-258-4806.
Shelter Needs List
If you would like to make a donation to the shelter,
please call (717) 258-4806 to arrange your donation drop-off.
Most Immediate Needs
Umbrellas
Lysol Disinfectant Spray
Feminine Hygiene Products
Spray Air Fresheners
Pots and Pans
New Women’s Socks
Tupperware
New Women’s Underwear
Plastic Pitchers
Hair Products
Shelf Milk
Mops
Baby Formula
Brooms
Buckets
***NO clothing or trial size toiletries
Storage Containers - The following size ONLY
please (approx. 1 1/2'W x 1 1/2'D x 2'L)
Gift Cards: Grocery, Discount, Gas, Home Depot,
Lowes
Copy Paper/Office Supplies
needed at this time***
Your donations and support of the agency are
truly appreciated!!!
All-In-One Car Seat (harness-to-booster) -2
Contact Us:
History
24 Hour Hotline:
1-800-852-2102
24 Hour Local Hotline:
717-258-4249
Main Office: 717-258-4806
Camp Hill Office: 717-761-5599
Perry County Office:
717-582-8900
Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 1039
Carlisle, PA 17013
Outside of Cumberland
& Perry Counties
National Domestic Violence
Hotline :
1-800-799-7233
Mission
DVSCP provides quality
services and support to those
who are experiencing
domestic violence and
fosters positive social
systems change through
education and advocacy.
DVSCP is a private,
non-profit organization
incorporated in May of 1990
and has provided 24 hour a
day unduplicated services to
the communities of
Cumberland and Perry
Counties since July 1990.
DVSCP offers emergency
shelter, 24 hour hotline,
legal and systems advocacy,
children’s counseling, adult
group and individual
counseling, public
education and prevention
training, medical advocacy
and a program for batterers.