Inside this issue - Barren River Area Safe Space, Inc.

Volume 1, Issue 3
Winter, 2006
Published by: Barren River Area
Safe Space, Inc.
Inside this issue:
BRASS, Inc. holds 15th
Annual Candlelight Vigil
in memory of those who
lost their lives to
domestic violence
2
First Christian Church donates $10,000 to aid
BRASS, Inc. in the fight against Domestic Violence
From the Director’s
Keys: October was a
Somber Month
3
First Christian Church Helps
Hundreds of Families
Affected by Domestic
Violence
By Ryan Braber
KY Legislators may give
new hope to dating
couples trying to obtain
protective orders.
3
Thanks to those who
supported our annual
fund-raiser.
4
Staff Spotlight: VISTA
Volunteers, Marta
Woosely and Tabatha
Gregory
5
BRASS, Inc. recognizes
supporting area chuches
6
Special points of
interest:
•
What protection does KY
courts offer dating couples. You may be surprised to find out that the
answer is, NONE AT ALL!
(See pg. 3)
•
Hate doing your taxes?
BRASS, Inc. can do them
for you this year! Did I
mention that it’s FREE!
(See pg.5)
•
New valued staff members
part of Americorps VISTA
volunteer program. What’s
VISTA? (Find out on pg.5)
On October 12, 2006, Representatives from First
Christian Church presented
BRASS, Inc.’s Executive
Director, Lee Alcott and
board member Nancy Ware
with an oversized check for
the amount of $10,000.
This substantial donation
came about after Marta
Woosley spoke with their
quarterly group at the invitation of Mary E. Smith. Mary BRASS, Inc.’s Executive Director, Lee Alcott accepts an oversized check from Rev.
John Wesley on behalf of First Christian Church. Pictured (left to right): Marta
is one of BRASS, Inc.’s
Woosley, Lee Alcott, Nancy Ware, Rev. John Wesley, David Sharp.
founding members. Marta
explained to the Christian
Women’s Fellowship that
people in the community are
abuser to ensure their safety.
many women and children
empowered to continue doing
Thanks to First Christian’s
come to our shelter with little
their work,” Rev. Wesley said.
generosity, otherwise unafor no personal belongings.
“We know the needs always
fordable bus tickets were
Many times our clients have
provided for the family to get
outgrow the resources.”
no spare clothing, household
them to safety.
The $10,000 will go into
items, and nothing left emoBRASS, Inc.’s emergency asThis is only one example of
tionally because of the abuse
sistance fund. This fund pays
the many ways that BRASS,
they’ve suffered in their own
for gas vouchers, rent assisInc. will use the donated
homes. Moved by the meettance, school supplies, work
money to enhance the lives of
ing, First Christian Church
clothing, phone cards, bus
victims of domestic violence.
sprang to action. They initially
tickets, and other necessities
Our deepest appreciation
considered collecting pots
that clients need to ease the
goes out to everyone at First
and pans for BRASS clients,
transition from homeless to
Christian Church for funding
but decided instead to entrust
self-sufficient.
our continuing efforts. MakBRASS, Inc. with the large
The
impact
that
First
Christian
ing our communities happier,
monetary donation. The
Church and its members has
safer places to live is a goal
money came out of the
made,
is
already
being
felt
by
shared by both BRASS, Inc.
church’s permanent fund,
abuse victims. BRASS reand First Christian Church.
which is made up of moneys
cently
used
the
emergency
Their compassion allows us to
left to the church when its
assistance money to relocate
advance towards our common
members pass away.
a family to Texas. They
goal of peace and safety in
“It is important to First Chrisneeded to put a greater disKentucky homes.
tian that groups caring for
tance between them and their
Page 2
The Justice Line
15th Annual Candlelight Vigil held in Bowling Green’s
Fountain Square Park
Honoring Loved Ones Lost to
Domestic Violence
By Ryan Braber
“Justice can never
return one lost as a
result of domestic
violence. Please let it
be a comfort to know
we will never forget.”
Lee Alcott
BRASS, Inc. held its 15th
Annual Candlelight Vigil at
Bowling Green’s Fountain
Square Park on October 24.
The vigil is held annually to
honor those who have lost
their lives to domestic violence and augment the public’s recognition of October as
Domestic Violence Awareness
Month. Large pictures of
Teresa Brown Bishop, Okari
Shea Moore, and Christina
Renshaw were on display.
Friends and families of
Bishop, Moore, and Renshaw
were in attendance and contributed to the vigil. Okari
Moore’s boyfriend read a
poem called, “Just a Thought”
for Okari, who he described
as his best friend. Other family members also shared their
thoughts and feelings including the son of BRASS, Inc.
advocate, who was Christina
Renshaw’s cousin. After the
presentation of colors by the
Bowling Green Fire Department Honor Guard, State
Representative Jim DeCesare
shared a moving story of his
own personal encounter with
domestic violence as a child.
Rep. DeCesare told the crowd
about his mother, a strongwilled woman who remarried
a man she thought would be a
Pictures of Brown Bishop, Okari Shea Moore, and Christina Renshaw (all
victims of domestic violence homicide) adorned the memorial at BRASS, Inc.’s
15th Annual “Remember My Name” candlelight vigil.
good father to her two sons.
He recalled that for the first
year, everything was great.
Then his stepfather developed a drinking problem and
his mother’s behavior and
appearance began to change.
He started noticing bruises.
She lost weight and grew
increasingly bitter and angry.
Following his mother’s breakdown, he and his brother had
to live with his aunt. When
they finally returned to their
mother and stepfather, the
fighting began again. Only
this time, the stepfather
would beat his mother in front
of them. One time, DeCesare
fought back and still bears
the scar of the altercation.
His family managed to escape
by moving to Florida
to live with relatives;
with little more than
the clothes on their
backs. He said in
conclusion, ”If there
were places like
BRASS, Inc. back
then, we may not
have had to leave
friends, schools, and
neighborhoods behind.”
DeCesare’s family
was fortunate to
Bowling Green Fire Department Honor Guard (Cpt.
escape an abusive
Donnie Frye, Sgt. Dustin Rockrohr, F.F. Doug Morhousehold.
ris, and F.F. Matt Ferguson) presents the colors
during the ceremony.
Several other supporters took
turns reaking the names of
36 women, ages 17-67, killed
in BRASS, Inc.’s service region
since 1997. After each name
read, a chime was rung.
Local attorney and long time
BRASS board member, Joy
Denton added, “BRASS, Inc.
has provided services to over
3500 outreach victims and
children last year.” “That is
an astonishing number and
it’s an unacceptable number,”
she said as she urged attending supporters to work together to end the cycle of
violence. “It may not be easy,
but BRASS proves that it can
be done and BRASS will provide the way.”
The Vigil not only serves to
remember those lost, but
hopefully encourages those
who are currently dealing with
violence in their homes to
reach out for help. The first
step to safety is usually the
hardest and most frightening
step to take. Remaining in a
violent relationship is emotionally and physically painful.
It is humiliating and as we’re
constantly reminded, can cost
victims’ their lives. There is a
road to safety, BRASS, Inc.
can give you the map.
Page 3
The Justice Line
From the Director’s Keys
Congratulations!
To Harman Becker
(Franklin, KY)
for their Domestic
Violence
Awareness
Employee Training
Program.
State Representative contact
information, by county:
October Was a Somber Month
By Lee Alcott
At least one domestic violence
homicide occurred in Kentucky this month.
On October 23, 2006. 16
year old Brittany Dunn was
shot and killed by her 21 year
old boyfriend. Many of the 36
names remembered at our
candlelight vigil were teenagers. Many were mothers.
Preparing for this year’s vigil
was especially somber, due to
a recent homicide at a North
Carolina domestic violence
shelter and the two tragic
deaths that occurred in Bowling Green in February and
May of 2006. Two young
mothers murdered. It’s never
easy to speak to families who
have directly experienced
such tragedies, but it is necessary for us to make sure
that the families of victims of
domestic violence homicides
know that we will not forget
them; we will never forget
their names.
We were fortunate to have
had contact with the families
of Christina Renshaw and
Okari Moore so we could
share the candlelight vigil with
them. Their presence, their
willingness to share their
grief ,and their words touched
everyone in attendance that
evening. In addition to these
young women, we were able
to honor the memory of
Teresa Brown Bishop, who
was shot and killed by her
husband in Bowling Green in
1983. Her family generously
provided a photograph of
Teresa and her two young
children, now grown. Meeting
her children was profound.
Her daughter spoke about her
mother and how her mother’s
death changed her own life
and that of her brother.
On the last day October we
received news of another
tragic death, that of Master
Police Officer David Whitson
with the Bowling Green Police
Department. Unofficial reports are that he was responding to a domestic incident. Officer Whitson was a
friend to BRASS, Inc. and to
our clients. He transported
many women and children to
Allen
Rob Wilkey-781-9100
Barren
Johnny Bell-651-7005
Butler
C.B. Embry-526-6237
Edmonson & Hart
Terry Shelton-528-5654
Logan
Sheldon Baugh-726-2712
Monroe & Metcalfe
James Comer-487-5585
Simpson
Rob Wilkey
Warren
Jody Richards-781-9946
Jim DeCesare-792-5779
Rob Wilkey
Johnny Bell
our shelter who were fleeing
abuse. He was always kind
and ensured that they were
safe and sound. Officer
Whitson was involved in several extra patrols that we requested when there was a
potential for danger at the
shelter. He routinely checked
on our night advocates to
make sure things were going
okay. We are all saddened by
this tragic loss of a wonderful
man, husband, father, and
police officer. Our thoughts
and prayers go out to his family and the Bowling Green
Police Department. Our community has lost a great friend
and protector.
Officer David Whitson
Bowling Green PD
Badge #179
1972-2006
Kentucky Legislators– Protective Orders
Why Are Dating Couples Getproblem for Kentucky teens
and young people everyting Left Out in KY Courts?
where. Studies have shown
By Ryan Braber
that one in five female public
What are protective orders?
high school students have
Protective orders are court
experienced physical and/or
orders that limit contact besexual assaults on a date (‘01
tween two people. The order
MYRB). Teens are also less
can force an abuser to stop
likely to report these crimes.
contacting their victim, and
The problem that students in
holds them responsiKY are faced with
ble if they violate the
is, the court sysorder. They are comtem doesn’t offer
monly used for adult
domestic violence
victims of domestic
orders to teenage
violence, but unfortudating couples
nately teen dating
unless they live
violence victims
together or have a
don’t have the same KY teens and dating
child in common.
couples cannot obtain
access. Dating vioThis excludes
protective orders.
lence is a serious
many teens in
danger from getting the
proper court protection they
deserve. Representative Rob
Wilkey is currently working
with the KDVA to introduce
legislation that would expand
KRS 403.720 (law that designates who and under what
circumstances a DVO can be
obtained) to apply to dating
couples. This legislation
would make KY one of 34
states that allow teen victims
to petition the court for a
DVO. We encourage everyone
to follow the progress of this
legislation and contact your
representatives in support of
this expansion. Visit the
LRC’s web site for updates:
www.lrc.state.ky.us
Page 4
The Justice Line
BRASS, Inc.’s Annual Freedom From Violence fund raiser was held at the Historic L&N Depot this summer. Local eateries provided a delicious spread of desserts for all attending supporters. Marshall Scott
Jazz Band entertained the crowd while the silent auction took place. Rep. Jim DeCesare did an excellent
job as guest auctioneer for the life auction. Due to the donations from local businesses and the generosity
of those in attendance, the fund raiser was able to raise significant funds for victims of domestic violence.
Your contribution makes our community a better place to live
Donors
Kentucky Down Under
Six Flags– Kentucky Kingdom
Dinosaur World
Diamond Caverns
Eagle Industries
Fit in Minutes
Cousin Don’s Furniture Outlet
Lowe’s Home Improvement
A Few Necessities, Inc.
Farmers Hardware
Dunnigan Office Equipment
Right Aid
Colony House
Trembley Pool and Spa
Dollar General Store
Morgantown Prescription Center
Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
Best Western Motor Inn
Baymont Inn and Suites
Grinstead’s Home Furnishings
Riley-White
Race World
Total Fitness Connection
Shaolin Kung-Fu Center
Curves for Women
Marlin’s Furniture
Ace Hardware
All Seasons Gas Grill and Fireside
Shop
Pam Hurt
Fireside Emporium
Steve’s Sport Cards
Home Depot
Southern Outdoor Furniture
US Surplus and Pawn
Sponsors
Ford’s Furniture
Park Avenue Furniture
Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra
Lexington Legends
McGown TV Sales and Service
Best Buy
Diane Rice
Olympic Karate/House of Fitness
Oak and Ivy , Inc..
El Mazatlan
Mammoth Cave Hotel
Crabtree Furniture Company
Harris Supply
Southern States
Big Lots
Mariah’s and Buckhead Café
Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill
Longhorn Steakhouse
River Bend Antique Mall
Suburban Propane
Four Winds Wholesale
Harman Becker Automotive Systems
Southern Outdoor Furniture
Merle Norman
SAM 100.7 FM
Wal-Mart of Russellville
Barren River Lake State Resort Park
Tennessee Titans
The Shoppe on the Square
The Trunk
Red Barn Antiques
Cox Variety Store
Bandy Bedding Showroom
Dillard’s
440 Main Restaurant
Tenito’s Country Diner
Gold Sponsors
Johnny Bell of Bell Law Office
Harman Becker Automotive
Silver Sponsor
Logan Memorial Hospital
Bronze Sponsors
Hon. Joy D. Denton
Logan Aluminum, Inc.
Ventra Plastics
English, Lucas, Priest, and
Owsley, LLP
Woodlee Appraisal Service
Sensus Die Casting
Vendors
Country Oven Bakery
Bagels and Bites
Anka’s Secret
Brickyard Café
Verdi
Starbucks
Tenito’s Country Diner
BRASS, Inc. Family and Friends
Page 5
The Justice Line
Staff Spotlight: BRASS, Inc. welcomes VISTA Volunteers, Marta
Woosley and Tabatha Gregory
AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers:
Taking on Domestic Violence
By Ryan Braber
Barren River Asset Building
Coalition Community
Partners 2006:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
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AARP
The Alive Center
Service One Credit Union
Barren River Area Safe
Space, Inc.
Barren River District
Health Department
Bowling Green Community
Education
Community Action of
Southern Kentucky
Family Enrichment
Center
HANDS, Inc.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Housing & Community
Development
Human Rights
Commission
The International Center
Mayor’s Dollar Wise
Campaign
National City
Park City Daily News
Salvation Army
United Way of Southern
Kentucky
US Bank
Veterans Upward Bound
Wachovia
versity in 1997, majoring in
public relations. Marta has
used her skills in public
speaking to educate the
community about our services. Her efforts have already resulted in a $10,000
from First Christian Church
(See pg. 1),
Tabatha started at BRASS,
Inc. in September as a part
time intern and jumped at the
opportunity to become a
VISTA volunteer. She says
that becoming a volunteer
has been a wonderful learn-
BRASS, Inc. is proud to welcome two new editions to our
staff, Marta Woosley and
Tabatha Gregory. They are
both part of a volunteer program called VISTA (Volunteers
in Service to America).
VISTA is a program for men
and women who are at least
18 years old and are committed to helping low-income
people improve the conditions of their lives. VISTA
volunteers come from all
different kinds of backgrounds and work with the
poor in rural and urban
areas across the country.
There are almost 6000
VISTA volunteers serving in
nearly 900 nonprofit or
public agencies currently
sponsoring VISTA projects.
BRASS, Inc. applied to the
program for two qualified
members. We were apMarta Woosley (left) and Tabatha Gregory (right)
proved and Marta and
are BRASS, Inc.’s newest team members.
Tabatha were assigned to
us.
ing experience. She had been
working directly with our cliMarta Woosley was born in
ents as a shelter staff intern.
Monticello, Kentucky but has
She is excited to begin worklived in Bowling Green for the
ing with the newest initiative
past 18 years. She graduated
at BRASS, Inc. That is the
from Western Kentucky Uni-
Barren River Asset Building
Coalition. The coalition is
made up of a number of various partners within the
BRADD district that will provide free tax preparation services for low income taxpayers. Tabatha will graduate
from Western Kentucky University in December with a
B.A. in political management.
She hopes to continue her
education by getting her Master’s Degree in nonprofit management. She hopes that the
experience she attains from
VISTA and BRASS, Inc. will
give her valuable knowledge that she could use to
further her career. She
eventually wants to specialize in women and children’s issues at an international level.
Marta and Tabatha are
both proving to be invaluable members of the team
here at BRASS, Inc.
Though they only started
working here full-time recently, they’ve both shown
a deep desire to aid our
clients in any way necessary. We are looking forward
to many great things from
them in the future. If you are
interested in the AmeriCorps
VISTA program, visit this web
site: www.americorps.org
The Barren River Asset Building Coalition will be providing
free tax prep services beginning in January.
New Initiative to Help Low
Income Taxpayers
By Ryan Braber
BRASS, Inc. was chosen to
participate din a free tax
program with the Kentucky
Asset Success Initiative
(KASI). Last year KASI sponsored 24 sites in 11 counties. The Barren River Asset
Building Coalition will add
two counties and five more
sites to that list. The goal of
the project is to encourage
low income taxpayers to
claim the Earned Income Tax
Credit and discourage them
from obtaining high interest
refund anticipation loans.
BRASS, Inc. has secured 21
community partners to facilitate this important new initiative and these new sites:
• The International Center
• The Family Enrichment
Center
• The Tomorrow Center
• Branches of Barren Co.
• BRASS, Inc. Shelter (for
BRASS clients only)
The coalition will soon begin
a recruiting effort for volun-
teers to work at the tax sites.
An online training course at
www.irs.gov will need to be
completed before volunteers
will be able to prepare taxes.
There are also greeter positions for those who don’t
wish to complete the online
training. Greeters welcome
taxpayers and get initial information to speed up the
filing process. This service
will be provided by appointment only. Sites are set to
open on January 15. For
more information or for an
appointment, call 781-9334.
The Justice Line
BARREN RIVER AREA SAFE SPACE, INC.
P.O. BOX 1941 BOWLING GREEN, KY 42101
Tel: (270)781-9334
CRISIS LINE:800-928-1183
If you are interested in this
publication, you will be excited
to hear about our quarterly
newsletter, “TEEN SCENE”. It is
a wonderful resource for the
youth of our community, and
available free to interested
parties. If you would like a copy
of “TEEN SCENE” or previous
issues of “THE JUSTICE LINE”,
contact our office at 781-9334.
BRASS, Inc. Board Members, 2006
BRASS, Inc. would like to
recognize our board members
for their efforts to make our
community better. Our board
consists of the following
members:
Joy D. Denton
Randee Durham
Carol Ann Gilbert
Connie Jeffries
Andy Lange
Leslie Mitchell
Lori Mitchell
Randy Schocke
Richard Storey
William L. Twyman
Nancy Ware
Stacie L. Wilson
Christ Episcopal Church
Christ the King Catholic Church
Church of God
Fairview Baptist Church
First Christian Church
Franklin First United Methodist Church
Grace Community Church
Greenwood Baptist Church
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Living Hope Baptist Church
Post Oak Baptist Church
Richardsville Baptist Church
State Street United Methodist Church
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Trinity Free Will Baptist Church
WMU of Mill Creek Baptist
Willing Hearts and Hands
Justice Line Newsletter Editor:
Ryan Braber
Contact me directly for
comments or feedback at:
justiceworksmedia@ccol.net
Thank you to United Way of Southern Kentucky, to its Board of Directors, staff and
volunteers who helped with the most recent campaign and allocations. The Barren
River Area Safe Space, Inc. has been awarded $140,000 for FY ‘07, which ranks our
agency as the highest funded United Way agency in the BRADD. This funding is
critical to our efforts to end family violence in our ten county service area.