insight

Insight
The
O C T. 2 0 1 4
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3
DVAM PICTURES
2
DUELING FOR
DVAM
3
MORE DVAM
PICTURES
4
NSAC 2014
5
ON RAY RICE
6
STUFF THE VAN
7
DONATIONS
7
SERVICES
7
DVAM 2014
RECAP
750 YARD SIGNS IN 4
COMMUNITIES
387 ITEMS DONATED AT
STUFF THE VAN EVENT
97 BAGS OF POPCORN
SOLD
SILENT WITNESSES IN 5
COMMUNITIES
2 AWARENESS EVENTS
ANOTHER AWESOME
OCTOBER IN THE BOOKS!
Popping New Ideas for DVAM!!!
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
in·sight ~ (n) an instance of apprehending the true
nature of a thing, esp. through
intuitive understanding
to nearly 100 customers. After
buttering them up, many felt
compelled to take signs back to
their own yards. Some even
bought raffle tickets for a
Traeger pellet grill, which was
raffled off at our first ever Half
of Dueling Pianos Event (more
about it on page 3).
In addition to our new
undertakings, we also enjoyed a
few tried-and-true favorites. Our
life-sized red Silent Witness
silhouettes, for example, made it
around to five communities throughout
October, reminding us that domestic
violence takes and touches lives in our
own small corner of the world.
If you live in Beatrice, you may have
noticed purple signs popping up around
town in late September. This was the
work of the groovy gals of Hope Crisis
Center, who spent a gorgeous fall day
distributing over 100 Domestic
Violence Awareness Month signs to
residents and businesses of Beatrice.
The signs are nothing new, of course.
We’ve been doing it for years and it
has become one of our most
anticipated October projects. This
year, however, we kicked off DVAM
with a little something extra—
popcorn!
While the Silent Witness Project is
very somber, our annual Candlelight
Vigil restores a sense of hope. We
were fortunate to be addressed by
several speakers throughout the
evening: Sheriff Sorensen, county
attorney Linda Bauer, and survivor
Shaylene Smith. Following Shaylene’s
stirring and inspirational account of
her own journey through violence, we
lit candles and shared a prayer given by
Pastor Brian of American Lutheran
Church. It was beautiful evening to
remember, honor, and celebrate our
progress as a movement. We left with
a renewed sense of purpose and passion
for the work that is yet to be done.
Though it’s a dark road sometimes, we
will continue to move forward —
faithfully, joyfully, and relentlessly.
That’s what DVAM’s all about!
For the first time, Hope Crisis Center
ran Traubel’s Popcorn Stand, which
benefits the Beatrice-area
organizations that operate it. We had a
blast serving awareness-themed snacks By Mandy—Grant Coordinator
DVAM 2014
INSIGHT
Page 3
Popping New Ideas:
Dueling For DVAM
For the first time, Hope Crisis Center hosted a dueling pianos
fundraiser. Or, to be more specific, a Half of Dueling Pianos
fundraiser! The staff toiled for weeks to get everything in
order for this brand new Domestic Violence Awareness Month
event. Then, on October 11th, the Elk’s Club in Fairbury filled
up with people looking to have a good time and raise
money for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
They were certainly not disappointed! Entertainer Spike Blake
came up from Kansas City to give a highly interactive and
engaging performance. From playing our favorite songs to
cracking hilarious jokes, he had our guests singing, dancing,
laughing, and having a great time for much of the evening.
Our guests also had a number of silent auction items to bid on.
Our auction boasted a variety of items, including a photography
package, a hunting bow, some Thirty-one gear, and much more.
The competition was fierce on some items! Many guests also
purchased raffle tickets for a Traeger pellet grill and three bags
of pellets. While hundreds of tickets were sold, only one lucky
man took home the prize.
In all, this event was a huge hit! However, pulling this off was
no easy task. We were assisted extensively by the sponsors and
donors listed on the right. We owe a big thanks to everyone who
helped fund and promote this event, feed our guests, and provide
a marvelous spread of silent auction items. Thank you for
helping make this event a tremendous success! We couldn’t
have done it without you!
Made Possible By:
TransCanada
United Benefit Services
Glienke Agency
Fairbury Executive
Suites
Fairbury.com
Lily’s Flower and Gift
Shop
Elk’s Lodge
Den’s Meat
Ray’s Apple Market
Walmart
Side Trek Bar & Grill
B-Moved Yoga
Pure Serenite’
Dennis & Janet Byars
Holly Troxel Photography
Sandy Reikofski
Wendy Elston
Auto Value
Dick & Sheri Hinman
Blue River Archery, LLC
Westin Packaged Meats
Marcus Theatres
Ashley Milburn
DVAM
2014
M
any Voices,
One Movement
NSAC 2014
In the very early hours of August 20th, two Hope Crisis Center
staff arrived, soaked and exhausted, at a hotel room with a
breathtaking view of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After being stranded
at the airport for eight hours, enduring a stormy flight, losing luggage,
and waiting in the rain for a taxi, the two nearly wept with joy at the
view (of beds and pillows, though the city was nice too).
Luckily, the days that would follow were much better than the
horrific day of travel that preceded the 2014 National Sexual
Assault Conference. For three days, advocates and other
professionals from all over the country gathered to share their
expertise and learn new ways of battling the epidemic of sexual
violence. The diversity of people in attendance mirrored
NSAC’s theme: Many Voices, One Movement. The staff
attended an array of informational sessions on topics like
prevention, engaging men, alternative healing modalities,
serving special populations, and ensuring the wellness of the
organizations and people who do this very strenuous work.
The Nebraska advocates in attendance also got
together and made a trip to the traveling Monument Quilt.
Spelling out “Not Alone,” the Monument Quilt is a giant
public healing space by and for survivors of sexual
violence. Cobbled together from hundreds of
quilt squares created by survivors, it is a
testament to the devastation caused by sexual
violence and the tremendous resiliency of the human
spirit. Bearing witness to this was amazing.
Each advocate from Nebraska left their mark as well,
signing their names around the words “Believe.
Support. Empower.” The energy that permeated this
space, and the conference as a whole, was contagious.
The advocates returned home from this awesome trip
with fresh ideas and renewed excitement.
INSIGHT
Page 6
On Ray Rice: Asking the RIGHT Questions
Since the infamous
video of Ray Rice’s
disgraceful behavior
surfaced last month,
there has been a surge of
discussion centering on
domestic violence. Eerily timely, the video’s public arrival
nearly co-occurred with October’s Domestic Violence
Awareness Month. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending
on how you look at it, events like these do raise their share
of awareness. To illustrate, the National Domestic Violence
Hotline has reported an 80% increase in calls since the
news broke. The public outrage that has resulted from this
“scandal” has also put critical and necessary pressure on
institutions like the NFL.
violence. That’s not how it usually works. Advocates will
tell you that Janay’s response is exceedingly common.
When victims defend their abusers, they are protecting
themselves. Their attempts at damage control make sense,
because everything that happens to him comes back on her.
Given the career and reputation destroying publicity, one
can imagine that victims of high profile abusers feel a lot of
pressure to “save face.” They do whatever they can to
diffuse the situation, which they may feel entirely
responsible for.
So, why did she marry him? No one but Janay knows for
sure. Victims stay in abusive relationships for many
reasons, mainly because leaving is difficult by design.
Abuse is much more complex than simply being hit and
called names. It is an entire system of control and
Here’s a brief recap in case you missed it: Ray Rice,
manipulation designed to keep victims ensnared.
former Baltimore Ravens running back, was suspended
Disentangling oneself from this perilous spider web of
from the NFL after a violent and disturbing video surfaced. control is not an easy, one-time event. It takes an average
In this video, Rice is seen punching his then-fiancé, Janay, of 7-11 attempts to leave a relationship before a victim is
in the face, knocking her to the ground behind the closed
free for good. This is because the act of dismantling the
doors of an elevator.
system of control takes time, as does rebuilding strength
and self-esteem. Plus, it can be downright dangerous—
To most people, the footage is shocking. For those who
even lethal.
have never cohabited with domestic violence, it’s a rare
glimpse into a carefully shrouded world. Sympathy for
When we ask why victims don’t just leave, we are
Janay and outrage towards the NFL’s initial mishandling of implying that leaving is easy and they are stupid for
the event are common and appropriate responses. However, staying. In truth, leaving is not easy and staying may
this discussion split off into many different directions after sometimes be the only option available under the
Janay publically defended Rice, whom she married the day circumstances. Though we may mean well, these questions
after he was indicted on aggravated assault charges. It
are hugely counterproductive. They only drive victims
didn’t take long for social media to explode into a painfully deeper into isolation and protect perpetrators from the
unproductive barrage of comments, boiling down to this: if accountability they deserve. If we want domestic violence
it was so bad, why did she marry him? If she’s not
to stop, in the NFL and in our own communities, we must
concerned about her own safety, why should we be?
change the dialogue. We cannot support and judge at the
same time. Each and every person has the power to help a
It would be a great disservice to all victims if we left this
victim bloom into a survivor—not by blaming, judging, or
issue unattended simply because Janay has not
shaming, but by listening, offering options, and
triumphantly exposed and condemned Ray’s use of
empowering. By Mandy VanLaningham—Grant and Development Coordinator
Page 7
INSIGHT
DONATIONS
Client Needs
Thanks to everyone who donated during the months of July, August, and September!
We apologize if you name has been inadvertently omitted from our list!

Kari Buchli

Ryan and Christy Haddan—Fairbury

Oh Sew Fun 4-H Club—Fairbury

Carolea Roelfs—Fairbury

Chris Stone—Fairbury

Jamie and Kim Swanda— Fairbury
Combatting violence and supporting
survivors is a community effort. Hope
Crisis Center cannot do it alone! If you would
like to contribute to our cause, please consider
donating items from this list!
 Trash bags
2014- Third Quarter Client Services
Total
Shelter Crisis
Direct
Emergency Shelter Nights Line Calls Services
Services Provided
(July, August, September)
Adults*

Paper plates

Cleaning supplies

Tampons

Bath towels

Toilet paper

Christmas wrapping paper

Diapers size 5 & 6 or pull ups
235
967
387
Children*
23
Adult*
17
0
200
400
Thanks for your
600
800
1000
1200
Number Served
“Moving to Safety” Stuff the Van
Event a Success—Again!
A big thanks goes out to everyone who helped
make our annual “Moving to Safety” event a
success! This event, which calls on members of the
community to literally stuff a van full of supplies,
keeps Hope Crisis Center stocked for many months.
The items listed on the right are only a few of the
donations we received—wow! Thanks again for
keeping survivors of violence in your thoughts and
hearts this October! We couldn’t do our work
without your support!
support!

4 Walmart Gift Cards totaling $100

10 containers of disinfecting wipes

24 sticks of women’s deodorant

7 bottles of laundry detergent

1,006 foam and paper plates

109 rolls of toilet paper

13 bottles of dish soap

28 rolls of paper towels

36 toothbrushes

49 wash cloths

370 diapers

14 pillows
Find us on the web @
www.hopecrisiscenter.org
For Newsletter Information Contact:
Administrative Office
PO BOX 365
425 F Street
Fairbury, NE 68352
Phone: 402.729.2570
Fax: 402.729.2572
E-mail: [email protected]
Beatrice Outreach Office
Phone: 402.223.6635
Crete Outreach Office
If you would like to receive this publication as an e-version only, please
e-mail Mandy at [email protected] with your request.
Please recycle - Share this Newsletter with others!
Phone: 402.826.5727
Seward Outreach Office
Phone: 402-643-3056
Toll-Free Confidential Crisis Line
1.877.388.HOPE (4673)
Board of Directors:
Heidi Gubanyi, Seward
Katie Bevins, Lincoln
www.hopecrisiscenter.org
Board President
Member
Wendy Elston, Seward
Kim Robbins, Fairbury
http://nosilencenoviolence2.tumblr.com/
Vice-President
Member
Tyler Weishahn, Fairbury
*If you would be interested in serving on Hope
Crisis Center’s Board of Directors, please contact
Carmen at our Administrative Office
402.729.2570
Find us on Facebook and Twitter
Secretary
Sandy Reikofski, Fairbury
Treasurer
Staff:
Hope Crisis Center is a non-profit
organization committed to empowering
victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault as well as our communities
through advocacy, education, and
confidential emergency services.
Carmen: Executive Director
Krista: Victim Advocate—York and
Mindy: Program Manager
Fillmore Counties
Kaylyn: Prevention Coordinator
Heather: Seward County Victim
Mandy: Grant and Development
Assistance Supervisor
Coordinator
Shelby: Bilingual Victim Advocate—
Christina: Victim Advocate— Gage
Saline County
County
Cari: Sexual Assault Advocate/Victim
Advocate—Jefferson and Thayer
Counties