newsletter - Family Shelter Service

newsletter
Healing from Domestic Abuse
Spring
I
Latino Program Serves a Growing Need
t's hard to imagine the courage it
takes for mothers of young children to
seek help at Family Shelter Service. For
those who are new to the U.S., however,
the problem of domestic abuse can be
even more frightening — compounded
by language barriers and family ties that
may be thousands of miles away.
Now at 13 percent, the Latino
population in DuPage County has
grown dramatically. Family Shelter's
Latino Program was organized to
address the special needs of these
individuals.
A staff of four oversees the program:
Janet Ortega, Latino Program
Coordinator; Toni Hernandez, Court/
Victim Advocate; Debbie Hernandez,
Bilingual Women's and Children's
Advocate; and Mirna Fernandez,
Bilingual Counselor.
"Clients from the Latino community
generally come to us through 'word-ofmouth', said Janet Ortega. "It's a very
important method of communication in
their community. People also hear about
us through The Bathroom Project. One
woman held onto our purple bathroom
card for two years before she called
Family Shelter."
2012
confidentiality and family history. "We
need to know about them so that we
can direct them to the correct groups,"
Ortega said.
"We're constantly striving to have
as many groups as
possible available to
our clients," Ortega
continued. "We move
clients through the
various groups we
offer in order to see
where they best fit.
"The little boy was constantly
It's important that
afraid of being separated from his
we keep in mind
mother and didn't want to engage
our clients' needs
in any kind of group activity."
and their varying
backgrounds."
The Family Shelter staff
also reaches out to other
community agencies
to make them aware of
the bilingual program
and recently made a
presentation to mothers
whose children are in
HeadStart.
Another new initiative
for Ortega is working
with a Villa Park
School to offer a Friday morning
domestic violence education program
for mothers. A six-session educational
series, this program covers the essentials
of dealing with situations of domestic
abuse — necessary paperwork, intakes,
Ortega told the story of a traumatized
woman and child who came to shelter.
"The little boy was constantly afraid
of being separated from his mother
and didn't want to engage in any kind
of group activity. His mother was
also experiencing problems in how
she engaged with him, the kind of
vocabulary they used and just how to
play with him. After we worked with
both of them, it was remarkable to see
how much their relationship changed
and also that the young boy is now
completely calm when it comes time
continued page 2 2
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Take a Trip Friday, April 13, 2012
without Leaving Town
3
Inside
• The Parenting Program
• Gala 2012 Registration Form
• Thank You Holiday Shoppe
Volunteers
Spring
2012
Latina Program
continued
for his sessions. They have come a long
way."
Growth of Latino Population in
DuPage
Family Shelter's program for securing
Orders of Protection is based at the
DuPage County courthouse. Here, an
additional challenge for the Spanish
speakers coming through the court
system, according to Ortega, is "learning
the ropes" in order that they feel
comfortable within the legal system.
"We want to let them know that the
legal system is there to protect them.
We also teach them how to be their own
advocates."
l Increased 130 percent in DuPage County since 2000.
The Latino program staff, Ortega said,
must be efficient in the way clients are
moved through the program due to
the growth of this program at Family
Shelter. "We have a very well-functioning
bilingual program," she said, "and we
hope it continues to grow." n
l Statewide, one in four children are Latino.
l In 2008, the Latino population accounted for 14.3 percent
of the workforce in DuPage.
l Fifty-five percent live in owner-occupied homes.
l Spanish is the most frequently spoken second language in
DuPage County (after that: Polish, Chinese, Gujarati and
Urdu).
l Between 1998 and 2008, Latino enrollment in schools
statewide increased by nearly 60 percent.
Parenting Program Re-Establishes Bonds
O
ne of the saddest outcomes of domestic abuse
situations. "They start to see temper tantrums from their children
can be the severing of bonds between the child
and we try to teach them that not all temper tantrums have to do
and the non-abusing parent. Confused and
with poor choices. Sometimes the parent comes to the realization
traumatized, children can become unsure of who to trust.
that the child is trying to communicate something. We help
To help parents reinstate that all-important
them do that on an age-appropriate level.
Once they come
relationship with their child, Family Shelter
Mothers in abusive situations are often more focused
into shelter and
holds regular parenting group meetings in
on not upsetting the abuser, Miura continued,
later go off on their
eight-week cycles that are focused on children
because of safety concerns for herself and her children.
own, they have
ages 0-8.
"Sometimes there's not as much attention to the
a chance to focus
The topics for these meetings, which are
children's needs other than keeping them safe," she
on their child's
based on a new curriculum known as "ACT:
said. "Once they come into shelter and later go off
emotional needs.
Parents Raising Safe Children," are designed
on their own, they have a chance to focus on their
to evaluate parents' emotions and their
child's emotional needs. They're not having to walk
response to various situations using role-playing and other
on eggshells all the time — reading all of the abuser's signs and
techniques.
clues."
Family Shelter residential children's counselor Amy Miura
who heads the program explained the problems parents
experienced with their children when they were in abusive
Family Shelter's Parenting Group is currently meeting on
Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Family Shelter's
Downers Grove facility. For more information, please call Amy
Miura at 630-221-8290.
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H
April 13, 2012
&
H
Boback’s Signature Events
6:30 - 11 p.m.
H
H
6440 Double Eagle Drive Woodridge, IL
dinner , entertainment
intrigue
Raffle winner can choose from one of three luxury trips: H H
H H
3-night getaway at Charleston Place — an Orient Express Hotel in Charleston,
South Carolina. Includes private historic tour, culinary experience and airfare for two.
4-Night Sonoma Wine Extravaganza featuring chauffeur, wine
events, airfare for two.
5-night stay at Costa Rica Marriott Resorts
with airfare for two.
For more informatio, please visit: www.familyshelterservice.org
H H
Order your tickets now both for the event and the raffle
!
To purchase raffle or event tickets or to make a donation, please complete the following and return to
Family Shelter Service, 605 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187
Name__________________________________________ Address________________________________________
City___________________________________________ State________________
Phone__________________________________________ Email_________________________________________
Zip_____________________
• I would like to make______ dinner reservations at $150 each (10 to a table). $______________
Columnist, reporter
and TV personality
Jenniffer Weigel will
be the featured guest.
• I would like to purchase________raffle tickets at $25 each, 5 for $100 or 12 for $200 $____________
• I am unable to attend, but I would like to support the efforts of Family Shelter Service with the enclosed donation
in the amount of $_________________
Enclosed is my check in the total amount of $________________ Please make your check payable to Family Shelter Service
Please charge my
r MasterCard
r Visa (check one)
Signature_ ___________________________________________
• I would like to donate an auction item. Please contact me at_______________________________________________
Premier sponsor
Auctions
H
Card#_______________________________________________ Expiration Date______ Security Code_ __________
Thank you to our Gala sponsors!
Silent and Live
Sullivan, Taylor and Gumina
DeVry University
BMO-Harris Bank
Raffle
Cash Bar
H
Black Tie Optional
Each Gala guest
will receive two
complimentary
tickets to the
new Studio Movie Grill opening in Wheaton
Spring
2012
T
Holiday Shoppe: “The Magnitude of People’s Giving is Wonderful”
he holiday season can be
the happiest of times. But for those
wrestling with domestic abuse, it can
also be the saddest — a grim reminder
that when many are celebrating their
family bonds, others are living under
a cloud of fear and sadness. Holiday
Shoppe, a Family Shelter tradition
for more than 20 years, seeks to allay
the sadness of these families, if only a
little.
Through the generosity of Family
Shelter supporters, gifts for moms
and kids are collected and displayed
in several rooms at Family Shelter's
Downers Grove Community
Counseling Center and Shelter.
Specific dates are designated on which
mothers can come and choose gifts
for each of their children, as well as
something for themselves.
Family Shelter extends its sincerest
thanks to everyone who helped to
make the holidays a little brighter for
our clients.
Comments from Grateful
Clients
"To quote my five-year-old: 'This is the
best Christmas ever!'"
Above: Family
Shelter Volunteer
Coordinator
Amanda Wapiennik
assists volunteers.
"During times like these, it's wonderful
that you are out there helping families."
"Thank you so much for the toys for my
children. If it wasn't for people like you,
there would be no hope for people like
me."
Mark Your Calendar
Annual Magic Gala
April 13, 2012
Bobak's Signature Events, 6440 Double
Eagle Drive, Woodridge
Miss Representation
In a Huffington Post year-end poll, Miss
Representation was ranked number two, "Best
Moment for Women in 2011," following
Nobel Peace Prize awards to women.
February 29, 2012
College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, #SRC 2800 (Room is on second floor near library; enter from north doors)
6:00 - 9 p.m. • Free • RSVP: florin@cod.edu or call 630-942-2043
The film Miss Representation exposes how American youth are being sold the concept that women
and girls' value lies in their youth, beauty and sexuality. The movie is accompanied by a panel
discussion; Family Shelter "Behind Closed Doors" Art Exhibit also will be on display.
Do the Hula April 28, 2012
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3
St. Scholastica Activity Center, 7800 Janes Ave., Woodridge
The Woodridge Junior Woman's Club will be holding “Do the Hula to Provide Help and Hope in
support of Family Shelter Service on Saturday April 28, 6 - 11 pm. Dinner dance luau theme with
silent and Chinese auctions. For more information please call Pat Koys at 630-541-7377 or email:
patkoys5@gmail.com.
4
Healing from Domestic Abuse
The Story Project
Processing Negative Experiences
through Writing
A new program of Family Shelter Service
is designed to help clients heal from
domestic abuse through the therapeutic process
of writing. Known as "The Story Project,"
the first writing session was held last fall
under the tutelage of Fenwick High School
creative writing teacher John Paulett with
the assistance of former Family Shelter board
president Carolyn Healy and volunteer Lisa
Hendrickson.
To set the scene, the conference room was
converted to a "coffee shop" atmosphere with
special lighting, treats and music, and each
participant received a journal and writing tools.
Children’s Mural
in Shelter
T
hank you to Tami
Bowman, Fanny Moy and
Anjanie Wilcoxen for lending
their artistic talents to create
delightful children's murals for
the wall in the Downers Grove
Community Counseling
Center and Shelter. These
colorful murals also serve as
a chalkboard where kids can
come up with artistic creations
of their own.
Eight people participated in the first session
and three were willing to share their stories,
while others expressed interest in revising their
work before submitting it.
It is hoped that the stories, poems, memories
and dreams that come alive through these
writings will also offer Family Shelter
supporters a window into the world of these
brave individuals.
Shelter Needs
Winter Coats (all sizes for
children and women)
Baby monitors (Graco
Secure Coverage available at Walmart or
Target)
Pillows
Vacuum
Small TV with VCR/DVD
for kids' playroom
(including brackets for
hanging)
Salt melting ice/snow for
sidewalks (winter use)
Twin XL sheets
Twin sheets (regular)
Comforters for twin beds
To donate any of these items, please contact Pam
Rasmussen at 630-221-8290 x7108. Thank you!
Towels/washcloths
Shower liners
Bathroom rugs
Baby products (e.g.
Desitin, shampoo,
wipes, baby wash)
Strollers (new)
Table lamps (8)
2012 planners and
calendars
Small bulletin boards
Backpacks
Pull-up diapers (size 2T,
3T, 4T and larger)
Bottled water for our
clients when at court
Small wall clocks for
counseling rooms
Everyday Needs
Shampoo and conditioner
(including specialized
products for African
American clients)
Body wash
Soap (bar and liquid)
Shaving cream
Razors
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Baby wash & lotion
Baby powder
Baby wipes
5
Sanitary pads & tampons
Women’s pajamas (all sizes)
Slippers
Brushes & combs
Underwear (women and
children)
Cleaning supplies (e.g.
Clorox, sponges, paper
towels, Pledge, Windex,
toilet bowl cleaner)
Liquid hand soap
Dishwasher tablets (please
no liquid)
Clorox & Clorox wipes
Lysol spray
Laundry detergent
Garbage bags (kitchen
and larger black
bags)
Zip-lock bags
(especially gallon
size)
Aluminum foil and
saran wrap
Art supplies (e.g.
coloring books,
paints)
Paper products (e.g.
tissues, toilet paper,
paper towels, paper
plates, napkins)
Office supplies (e.g.
paper, pens)
Lightbulbs
Spring
2012
Family Shelter
Service has a
New Look
Contributing to the Welfare of Future Generations
W
How to Make a Planned Gift
to Family Shelter Service
hile many gifts to Family Shelter are made in the form of cash or securities, other
types of gifts can be made, including the following:
Bequests
Bequests may provide substantial tax benefits to the donor’s estate.
Gifts of Life Insurance
Healing from Domestic Abuse
Y
Assigning a life insurance policy to Family Shelter Service is a practical way of making a
significant contribution, whether or not the policy is paid up, partially paid or new. Tax
benefits depend on policy status at the time of the gift.
ou may have noticed the tree
that makes up the new Family
Shelter logo.
Lifetime Trusts
We are pleased to report that after
numerous focus groups, meetings
with staff and community members
and assistance from volunteer
professionals, we have developed a
new logo to better reflect the work
we do at Family Shelter Service.
The Gift Annuity
The symbolism of the tree supports
our mission in a variety of ways:
offering shelter and
Our new tagline
protection. But it
also reflects the
also denotes growth
process that
— an important
clients must go
facet of our clients'
through not just
journey to safety.
Legacy of Friends
Tax benefits depend on the nature of the trust.
Because part of the annual income is tax-free, this method of making a donation can
have exceptional advantages.
Gifts of Appreciated Property
A charitable income tax deduction is available to the donor under specific guidelines for
gifts of appreciated property.
Help Family Shelter Service build its endowment to plan for future generations.
Family Shelter can also put you in touch with a member of our Planned Giving Council
who can help you meet your philanthropic goals.
to heal from
the physical
bruises, but the
emotional ones
as well.
Our new tagline
also reflects the
process that clients
must go through
not just to heal from
the physical bruises,
but the emotional ones as well.
Thank you to all of the volunteers
who participated in this nearly yearlong process, and especially to Family
Shelter Board Member Joan Bates of
DeVry University, and Exclaim, Inc.,
for providing pro bono logo design
services.
Second Chance Resale Shops
benefiting Family Shelter Service
Family Shelter Service's two Second Chance Resale Shops — offering
a wide variety of clothing, accessories, housewares and more — help to
support the important work of Family Shelter Service.
Central Store: 1512 N. Naper Blvd., Naperville
Corner of Naper & Ogden • 630-955-9599
South Store: 1131 Fairview Ave., Westmont
Corner of Fairview & 63rd • 630-241-7268
6
Healing from Domestic Abuse
about because of the dedicated work
of our 35 Anniversary team, and most
importantly, because of the generosity
of so many of you.
th
Dear Friends,
Many thanks to all of you who
contributed to the success of
our 35 Anniversary Campaign,
Funding a Safer Tomorrow.
We are pleased to report that
we over-achieved our goal of
raising $500,000 in gifts and
pledges by raising $565,000!
This accomplishment came
th
Newspaper
Carrier Foregoes
Holiday Tips for
Family Shelter
D
uring the holidays, Family
Shelter began to receive
many donations from individuals
on the route of one newspaper
carrier in Woodridge. We later
learned that the paper carrier
had asked his customers to make
donations to Family Shelter Service
in lieu of giving him holiday tips.
Family Shelter extends its sincerest
appreciation to John in Woodridge
for foregoing his holiday tips for
the benefit of our organization.
Our goals for the campaign were two:
engage the community in recognizing
the need for more local support of our
vital services as government sources
decline; and raise the awareness of
our long-term goal of building our
endowment. We discovered that several
of you have already made a planned
gift to Family Shelter Service through
naming us in your will, and there
is recognition for the benefit of our
endowment providing a funding stream
in the future.
Our work continues – we will continue
to make sure that the community
understands the critical importance
of our services and the need for
local support. We know that to truly
achieve a "safer tomorrow," all of us
must work together today to address
and prevent domestic abuse.
Lastly, I would like to remind you
that our upcoming Gala, "The Magic
of the Orient Express," will take
place on Friday, April 13, and it's
sure to be a fun time to connect with
friends and supporters as we enjoy
the silent and live auctions and even
have the opportunity to participate
in an intriguing mystery experience.
Warm regards,
Karen Hurley Kuchar
Executive Director
Thank you...
...to DuPage Medical Group for
helping to brighten the holidays for
our clients. Each employee of DuPage
Medical filled a basket for Family
Shelter client families with many
useful items, including hats, scarves
and gloves. Your generosity during the
holidays is greatly appreciated!
...to the National Association of
Professional Organizers who came to
our Wheaton and Downers Grove
locations to organize our in-kind
rooms.
...to Anka Ivaniesevic, owner of Fitness
Solutions in Downers Grove, for
holding a wine-tasting party at her
home to benefit Family Shelter Service.
7
Soroptimists Bring
Holiday Cheer
Thank you to the Soroptimists, pictured
above, who prepared a holiday meal,
games, music and gifts for our clients
in shelter over the holidays. Your efforts
truly helped to bring seasonal cheer to
our clients who are making their journey
to safety.
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Glen Ellyn, IL
60l37
Permit #539
Healing from Domestic Abuse
605 E. Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Administration: 630-221-8290
Hotline: 630-469-5650
www.familyshelterservice.org
&
dinner , entertainment
Boback’s Signature Events
intrigue
6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge, Illinois
Friday, April 13, 2012 • 6:30 - 11 p.m.
P
lease join us at our Annual Fundraising Gala and
support our clients’ journey to safety.
Raffle winner can choose from one of three luxury trips:
3-night getaway at Charleston Place — an Orient Express Hotel in Charleston, South
Carolina. Includes private historic tour, culinary experience and airfare for two.
4-Night Sonoma Wine Extravaganza featuring chauffeur, wine events, airfare for two.
5-night stay at Costa Rica Marriott Resorts with airfare for two.
See page 3 for more details and registration