Spring 2014 - Isabel`s House

Spring 2014
Board of
Directors
Sandy Howard
President
Mark Skrade
President-elect
Susy Barr
Past President
Karen Braun
Secretary
Sharon Faulkner
Treasurer
Sheriff Jim Arnott
Rita Baron
Dr. Allyson Goodman
Jann Holland
Kelly Layman
Amy Lea
Pam Leggett-Lutes
Alison Miller
Stephanie Montgomery
Catherine Moore
Brooke O’Reilly
John Oke-Thomas
Joe Page
Steve Peterie
Nancy Price
Karen Shannon
Clif Smart
Jon Swope
Jon Timson
Susie Turner
Carol Wooten
Ex-Officio Members:
Bob Belote
Jennifer Kennally
Collin Quigley
Dr. Todd Schaible
Partners include:
Burrell Behavioral Health
City of Springfield
Community Partnership
of the Ozarks
Spring has sprung
and with it comes rebirth, a chance at a new beginning!
CoxHealth
Mercy
Missouri State University
Springfield-Greene
County Park Board
Please consider helping children and families in the
Ozarks have the chance for a happy, healthy home
by pledging your support to strengthen families!
United Way of the Ozarks
Founding Agency:
Junior League of Springfield
Congratulations to our annual coloring contest winner! In recognition of April being
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Brayden’s art was featured on an area billboard.
Spring is finally here! What a joy to see flowers bursting into bloom, have longer days, and hear children’s
laughter throughout Isabel’s House!
We are blessed that Isabel’s House is here to provide care and support to each child and family in need. Our
families are facing crisis – homelessness, overwhelming stress, and the fear that they may hurt their child. What
courage it takes a parent to say “I need help!” What strength they muster to entrust their child with us, as they
begin to move forward to create a better life for themselves and for their family!
Did you know that Isabel’s House has connected more than 1,300 families to our greater community resources?
This assistance is free to our families, and therefore we must raise the funds to support each child and each
family who uses our services.
Andrea Vent
Executive Director
In our ongoing effort to raise awareness of Isabel’s House mission, and to raise the necessary donations, we
welcome Linda Becker as our new director of development. Linda comes to us with fundraising experience and a
huge heart for children and families in crisis. We are blessed to have her join the Isabel’s House team and expand
our efforts to fund our programs.
Please allow me to extend a special thank you to Kelly Layman, Allyson Goodman, KSPR, and the entire Hooray for Hollywood committee,
sponsors, and guests – Isabel’s House appreciates your support! Although we were disappointed the winter weather prompted the cancelation of
the event, we are very thankful for the hard work and assistance from everyone involved.
Thank you, again, for your continuing support of Isabel’s House, our families, and our children in need!
Many blessings,
Andrea Vent
Executive Director, Isabel’s House
April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and it’s no secret that child abuse and neglect rates in Greene
County remain extraordinarily high. To our community’s credit, there are countless initiatives, programs, and
organizations working locally to address this complex issue – each in unique and important ways. But the very best
dollars we can spend are those spent on prevention. As an organization committed to child abuse and neglect
prevention, Isabel’s House provides a safe-haven during a family crisis BEFORE the abuse or neglect happens.
I am inspired by the families who have the courage to seek out our services – the mothers and fathers and
grandparents who leave their children in our care while they get the help they need to create a more stable
environment.
Sandy Howard
Board of Directors
President
Our mission would not be achieved without our incredibly talented and dedicated staff that support these families
and care for their children, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. They are there when a mother
calls at 3am because she is suicidal or when she is fleeing a domestic violence situation or when a family does not
have safe housing.
Our community must continue to do all we can to break this cycle of child abuse and neglect – one family, one child
at a time. Isabel’s House staff will continue to do just that. And it is through the generosity of our donors, supporters, and community partners that
we will continue to raise the necessary funds to carry out the important work of preventing child abuse and neglect. We are indeed grateful for your
ongoing support!
Sandy Howard
President, Board of Directors
Join Us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/IsabelsHouse
Follow Us on Twitter
@isabelshouse
Executive Director – Andrea Vent
Development Director – Linda Becker
Program Manager – JaeLeann Velten
Asst. Program Manager – Keke Davis
Family Advocate – Helen Bailey
Family Advocate – Deb Ford
Family Advocate – Ashley Gilmore
865.C A RE (2273)
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Printing provided by
Mercy Health Springfield Communities
Funding for this project was made available
by Missouri’s Children’s Trust Fund.
Certain project costs have been underwritten by the
Missouri Department of Economic Development.
isabelshouse.org
Although Hooray for Hollywood was canceled due to severe weather, the
show must go on and indeed it did! With stage hands, the crew, and the
outstanding event chairs (Kelly Layman and Allyson Goodman), the online
auction was up and running along with an opportunity for the community
to sponsor a child. Due to the efforts of the Hooray for Hollywood
committee, the Board of Directors, and the generosity of the event
sponsors and the community, Isabel’s House received over $154,000!
On behalf of the children, thank you!
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Isabel’s Tree
Special Thanks to...
Thank you to Houlihan’s
restaurants and O’Reilly
Hospitality Management
for their support of the
2013 Isabel’s Tree fundraiser! This year over $36,000 was raised
to support the children and families served by Isabel’s House. We
would also like to thank the community for getting involved and
supporting this campaign! Thank you to the following businesses
who participated:
Isabel’s House thanks the following individuals and organizations
for fundraising and hosting special events held to benefit the
children of Isabel’s House.
417 Magazine — thank you for hosting the Cutest Baby Contest in
March and raising over $250! We would also like to thank everyone
for submitting photos and voting for the cutest baby!
Acacia Spa — supports Isabel’s House all year long and has raised
over $1,000 to date! Pamper yourself by visiting them. Mention
Isabel’s House and 10% of your sales will come back to support the
children. Remember Mother’s Day is right around the corner and a gift
card to Acacia Spa would be a delightful gift for mom!
Acacia Spa
Academy Bank
Arris Pizza
Aspen Chemical
Bauer Orthodontics
Bush, Ramlow & Shore
The Clip Joint
Cookie Cutters
Dining By Design
DMTS Creations, LLC
Dr. Rosen Dental Office
Empire Bank
Lloyd’s Cleaners
Mama Jean’s Natural Market
Robbies Tire & Service Center
Sanford & Associates
Shaw, Faulkner & Werner
Financial Group
Springfield First Community Bank
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Sugar Graphic Incorporated
Sunrise Media Partners, LLC
The Thicket
Donor Next Door
Join us neighbor, as our next “Donor
Next Door”! The great thing about this
sustaining program is that once you sign up, we take care of the
rest. You can choose a monthly, quarterly, or yearly donation that
will be automatically deducted from your checking account or
credit/debit card. Contact Isabel’s House Development Director
Linda Becker at lindab@isabelshouse.org 417.865.CARE (2273)
for more information.
Coloring Contest
First Place:
Brayden Biggers, 8
Hickory Hills Elementary
Valen Lemm, 6
Robberson Elementary
Bray
de n
Bigg
ers
Chase and Houlihan’s — With the long winter and being cooped up
in the house, we really needed some extra help with deep cleaning.
We are so grateful for the support from the community and especially
Chase and Houlihan’s!
Evangel University — The volunteer time donated from the students
at Evangel is priceless! We appreciate the one on one time you are
able to provide the kids on Fridays!
Evely Haseden, Aleksander Hoffman, and Hunter Skornia — for
sharing their birthday parties with Isabel’s House by donating their
gifts and birthday money to support the children.
Junior League of Springfield — for donating books in honor of
Senator Bob Dixon who personally signed his book in appreciation of
the services that Isabel’s House provides and Missouri House of
Representatives Eric Burlison.
Junior League of Springfield, Kids Count Committee — Thank you for
hosting a Valentine’s Day party for the kids! The kids enjoyed the
festivities... especially the valentine boxes. They also enjoyed the
Easter Egg hunt which took place in April!
Llyod’s Cleaners / Mr. Dry Cleaners — Look your best by using their
services at one of 8 locations throughout the Springfield area. A
percentage of sales will come back to Isabel’s House. Thank you for
donating over $750 in the past year!
Nature Scent — for keeping Isabel’s House fresh
Payroll Company — for processing our payroll
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mm & W
Valen Le
Thanks to Springfield Public Schools
for their enthusiastic participation. Thanks also to volunteers
from the Junior League of Springfield and to CoxHealth for
generously providing print services!
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Allied Waste Management for keeping us waste free
Kiwanis Cans for Kids — Kiwanis South Springfield Club hosted a
Cans for Kids day at Harter House in April. They donated over 100
bags of groceries plus over $200 to help feed the kids and families
served by Isabel’s House. Way to go Kiwanis!
Congratulations to our
2014 Coloring Contest winners!
Honorable Mentions
were awarded to:
Westynn Burnett, 7
Robberson Elementary
Action Sales and Rentals for an onsite storage unit
Scenic Mini Storage — for offsite storage
Lydia Swan, Sherwood Elementary School, and Girl Scout Troop
70941 — for donating Easter Baskets and cards for the children at
Isabel’s House. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Burger & Brat Festival
Spyderfest 2014
The 2014 Burger and Brat Festival will be
held at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds on
May 3 from 2–7pm and Isabel’s House has
been chosen as the charity for the People’s
Choice Award!
Thank you to PitBull Powersports Inc. for
sponsoring this year’s Spyderfest 2014
and for choosing Isabel’s House as its
charity of choice!
Come vote on your favorite burger and brat with 100% of the
proceeds supporting Isabel’s House! We will have an Isabel’s
House team there, so Simon says stop by and sample our wares!
Entry fee to the festival is $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
Come join us at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
April 30 to May 4 for the festivities from Spyder demo rides; drag
racing to secret pie runs! For more information please visit
spyderfest.com and, of course, visit the Isabel’s House booth at
the event to show your support.
For more information please visit:
ozarkempirefair.com/events/2014-burger-and-brat-festival.
Community Tour Day
Thank you to the volunteers from Junior League of Springfield,
Isabel’s House staff, and community volunteers for making this
day a huge success! We had over 150 people learn about our
services, take a tour, engage in craft activities with their kids, play
in the bounce house, and of course enjoy a hot dog or two! Thank
you to board members – Suzy Barr, Joe Page, and Karen Braun
for their support in welcoming the community to Isabel’s House.
Volunteering with Heart —
Fred & Max
Fred Allen has been coming to Isabel’s House with his dog Max
every other Friday for over a year now to play with the children.
The kids’ faces light up as soon as Max comes through the door.
"Anytime I say, Max it's time to go to Isabel's House, Max gets
very excited!" says Fred Allen. We are happy to have volunteers
like Fred and Max be a part of the Isabel's House team!
Our next Community Tour Day will be held in September – watch
for details in our next newsletter.
WELCOME
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to our specia
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Pinwheels for Prevention
Thank you to Mercy for their efforts
in the prevention of child abuse and
neglect in the Ozarks by displaying
Pinwheels for Prevention on the
corner of Sunshine and National
Avenue during April. Volunteers
planted over 260 pinwheels with
Thanks
each of them representing 10
Mercy!
children that were served by Isabel’s
House since our doors opened in July of 2007.
Thank you to KOLR10 for covering this story and sharing it with
the community. Since we opened, we have served over 2,600
children and over 1,300 families that have been in a crisis. Thank
you southwest Missouri for supporting families in crisis through
Isabel’s House!
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Join Isabel’s Team &
race for strengthening families!
Hope Butterfly Campaign &
Go Blue Jeans Day
Isabel’s House has once again been chosen
to partner with the Bass Pro Outdoor
Fitness Festival (BPOFF) charity program
which provides organizations with an
opportunity to raise funds, build teamwork,
and generate awareness of the services
Isabel’s House provides to the community.
Spring arrived and so did April, which is National Child Abuse
Prevention Month. Despite attention in the past, child abuse and
neglect rates continue to increase. Greene County remains on the
list as one of the top five counties in the state of Missouri having
the highest number of reported child abuse and neglect cases.
Isabel’s House is working to lower these numbers by providing an
immediate refuge for children while their parents are working
through their crisis.
Please consider fundraising for Isabel’s House in one or more of
the following BPOFF events:
Sunday, October 5:Tour De Bass Bike Ride
(25, 42, 77 and 102 mile rides)
Saturday, October 18 & 19: Dogwood Canyon 15K and 25K
These two runs are already sold out and are now only available
through charity fundraising efforts! Contact Isabel’s House
SOON at 417.865.CARE (2273) for more information.
Saturday, October 25: Rock4Kids Zombie Run –
Rutledge - Wilson Farm (.25 M, .5M, 1.0M, or 1.8M run/walk)
Thank you to all of the businesses and individuals who joined
Isabel’s House Hope Butterfly Campaign and/or hosted a Go
Blue Jeans Day to raise awareness and funds to support the
services Isabel’s House provides!
The Bank of Missouri
Bistro Market
Cash Saver
Country Mart
Mr. and Mrs. Maza
Price Cutter
Ramey
Shaw Faulkner & Werner
Financial Group
Smitty's
Sonic
Springfield Catholic High
School
Summer Fresh
Saturday, November 1: CAMO Color Run for families
(2 Mile walk/run)
Sunday, November 2: Bass Pro Conservation Marathon, Mercy
Marathon Relay, Cohick Half Marathon, Springfield News Leader
5k Run
For more information, please visit isabelshouse.org and click on
the BPOFF icon or contact us at 417.865.CARE (2273).
TAX CREDITS NOW AVAILABLE
Champions for Children (CFC)
&
Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)
minimum donations of $100 (CFC) / $1,000 (NAP)
along with additional criteria may apply
Get Your License to Care…
We want to take a moment to acknowledge
and thank the Missouri Children’s Trust
Fund (CTF). CTF is a non-profit organization
dedicated to the prevention of child abuse
and neglect through grant distribution,
education, and awareness. CTF granted us a special opportunity
to market and sell “Prevent Child Abuse” license plates to benefit
Isabel’s House.
Need a unique gift that will also benefit Isabel’s House? These
license plates are perfect for the family member, friend, or
coworker who has everything! Who doesn’t love seeing the
license plates around town that include a child’s handprint? Not
only are these colorful and adorable, but if you purchase a CTF
license plate, you will benefit Isabel’s House and send a message
that you are taking a stand to prevent child abuse and neglect.
The cost is only $25 for an annual donation or $50 minimum
donation for two-years on your license plate. Your donation for
your personalized license plate will go directly to Isabel’s House.
The process is simple and in most cases, you can even transfer
your current plate to a lovely CTF license plate. For more
information, contact Linda Becker at lindab@isabelshouse.org.
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Call 865.CARE (2273) to learn more.
Upcoming Events…..
April 30 – May 4: Spyderfest
May 3: Brat and Burger Festival at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
May 11: Mother’s Day — see details inside this newsletter about
how you can honor your mother and support Isabel’s House!
June 1: Online bidding for the Bass Pro Outdoor Fitness Festival
Dogwood Canyon run will begin. Visit isabelshouse.org for info.
July 1: Happy 7th Birthday Isabel’s House!
July 1: Individual ticket sales will begin
(depending on availability)
for THE Summer Party
August 7: THE Summer Party
of the year!
Love is
in the a
ir!
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Return Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. Postage Paid
Springfield, MO
PERMIT NO. 155
2750 W. Bennett
Springfield, MO 65802
Isabel’s House Mission
The mission of Isabel’s House, the Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks, is to
provide immediate refuge for children ages birth to 12 whose families
are in crisis. By partnering with families and the community, we will
strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
Isabel’s House Family Highlight
Katie, along with her three children, utilized Isabel’s House this
past fall. Katie was in a domestic violence situation with her exhusband; Children’s Division was called to the home where Katie
and her children were staying. Children’s Division then contacted
Isabel’s House in regards to Katie because she had nowhere else
to go with her children.
Katie’s older two children attended a school about 20 minutes
outside of Springfield and she didn’t have the gas money to
continue transporting them. Katie was relieved when she learned
her children would be able to attend their own school during their
stay, thanks to Isabel’s House providing transporation.
During the children’s stay, Katie was determined to find a solution
to her situation and establish housing for her family. Katie worked
very hard with the family advocate to find housing and inquired
about space at the Missouri Hotel and Salvation Army. Katie also
worked with OACAC Housing Center to obtain rental assistance.
Eventually, Katie was able to work out a living situation with a
friend which would allow her children to remain enrolled at their
same school. Also during her children’s stay, Katie was able to
obtain employment!
Throughout her children’s stay, Katie maintained excellent
contact with children which included phone calls, visits, and
passes. On the day of discharge from Isabel’s House, Katie was
extremely grateful to Isabel’s House. The children were very
excited to be going to their new home — together!
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Thanks
Wish List Items
radio with CD player
bean bags
musical Cd's
(nursery rhymes & books)
crafts (for ages 8-12)
paper products
(paper towels, napkins, plates)
outdoor activities
(kites, sidewalk chalk, bubbles)
sticky notes
Aveeno lotion
detangler
batteries – all sizes especially AAA
brushes/combs
light bulbs – 40 and 60 watts
swaddle blankets
clear storage bins
spring jackets (all sizes)
Tupperware (large bowls with lids)
swim wear
liquid dishwashing detergent
beach towels
liquid dish soap