In this Issue Letter from the Executive Director Volunteer Spotlight
Transcription
In this Issue Letter from the Executive Director Volunteer Spotlight
Summer 2010 osewood R Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh It will never rain roses; when we want more roses, we will have to plant more trees. Volunteer Spotlight Letter from the Executive Director I “Life is not a big rock; it’s a combination of many pebbles. I volunteer because I want to make a tiny difference in the world. I want to move a few pebbles around before I leave it.” These are the inspiring words Wilda spoke during her interview for this volunteer spotlight. Wilda has been a hotline volunteer for the Women’s Center & Shelter for over 14 years. As staff in the agency learned who would be featured for the volunteer spotlight, they made it clear that she has made much more than a tiny difference for the staff and residents of WC&S. Wilda was aware of WC&S when it was located across from the hospital in... Cont’d on page 10. In this Issue 2 3 4 5 6-10 10 11 12 Spring Clothes Out Report Survivor Story Launch of New Video Vignette Campaign Hotline Collaboration Commemorative Gifts Volunteer Spotlight Cont’d Donor Spotlight Wish List Become a WC&S Advocate f people are aware of Women’s Center & Shelter, they typically think of our direct services programs including Shelter, 24 hour hotline, legal services and children’s services. Women’s Center also engages in systems advocacy, at the city, state and federal level, to help inform policies that affect victims and perpetrators of intimate partner violence. On behalf of Women’s Center & Shelter, I would like to congratulate Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and the Pittsburgh City Council for developing a domestic violence ordinance and policy for city workers. The Mayor and City Council agreed that prevention is as important as intervention when addressing domestic violence, and they designed the ordinance and policy to reflect this. Women’s Center, along with other local groups, were proud to be of assistance during this process. Systems advocacy for domestic violence is particularly challenging because of the nature of domestic violence statistics. The actual prevalence of DV is unknown as there is no uniform way that police and social services agencies compile the information. It is also under reported because many people do not talk. WC&S utilizes several tools to compile prevalence statistics. We use the results to show the prevalence of DV and need for services in our community when asking for funding and conducting legislation advocacy. Please help us gather information by visiting our website and filling out a short survey. We would like to know how DV has, or has not, impacted your life. All participants will remain anonymous. Participation details are on the back page. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Shirl Regan P.O. Box 9024, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Administration Ph 412-687-8017 • Fx 412-687-3315 Email [email protected] • www.wcspittsburgh.org 24 Hour Hotline 412-687-8005 Spring Clothes Out Report T he 20th Anniversary UPMC Health Plan Spring Clothes Out was held on May 5, 2010 at the Renaissance Hotel. The event was a tremendous success and raised $137,220.50 in cash and in-kind donations, the largest amount in its 20 year history! $17,094.50 were in-kind donations of gently used business attire that WC&S clients use to help them reenter the workforce. Andrea Carelli, Senior Vice President and Director of Public Relations and Special Events at PNC Bank, was honored with the Ted Craig Humanitarian Award for her commitment to improve the lives of women and children suffering due to intimate partner violence. Andrea Carelli’s extensive involvement with WC&S began 5 years ago when she was the survivor speaker at the 2005 Spring Clothes Out event. Since then, Andrea has proven her dedication and passion for supporting women and children IPV witnesses, victims and survivors. Andrea often quietly stops by to drop off a donation of linens or pizza lunch for the Children’s Program. When WC&S was struggling to redesign its logo, Andrea stepped forward to commission 3 design firms to make it happen. The new WC&S logo and colors you see in this issue of Rosewood are the direct result! Andrea also became a strong advocate and role model when she decided to share her story on camera in WC&S’ new media campaign of Survivor Video Vignettes. You can read more about this project, which was launched at the end of July, on page 4. In addition to these accomplishments, Andrea created the WC&S Angel Fund, an ongoing fund that supports the agency’s most urgent needs. As you can see, Andrea is an inspiring and generous advocate who we are thrilled to honor! Photo from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s coverage of Spring Clothes Out. Taken by Michael Henninger/Post-Gazette. Pictured: Diane Holder and Andrea Carelli. 2010 SCO Sponsors Title Sponsor UPMC Health Plan Presenting Sponsor The PNC Financial Services Group Platinum Sponsors H. J. Heinz Company Highmark K&L Gates Gold Sponsors BNY Mellon The Edward A. & Sherley F. Craig Charitable Foundation Elsie H. Hillman Foundation Fifth Third Bank Jones Day Reed Smith Pittsburgh Steelers The PNC Financial Services Group Silver Sponsors Audrey Hillman Fisher Foundation Fiserv KDKA KQV Magee-Women’s Hospital of UPMC Simpson & McCrady St. Vincent College Thorp Reed Bronze Sponsors Charlie’s Specialites CPI Creative Burt Hill Duane Morris Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Pebble Beach Resorts Pricewaterhouse Coopers Smithfield Trust Company 2010 U.S. Women’s Open Save the Date Shop to Stop for the 2010 Highmark Shop to Stop Domestic Violence on Sunday, November 7 from 6 to 9:30pm at the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon. Shop to Stop is a celebratory event in honor of domestic violence survivors. This year’s event will be a new and exciting evening for all. Guests will have the chance to sample a delicious array of food and beverages, experience entertainment on 6 different stages, hear a survivor speaker, watch a fashion show and view live mannequins. Guests will also enjoy discounts from Galleria merchants, a silent auction and raffle baskets! This year, Spring Clothes Out raised the most money in its history, $137,220.50, to support our mission to end intimate partner violence in the lives of women and children. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event such a huge success! 2 Survivor Story Y ou may remember Patty as the survivor speaker at this year’s Spring Clothes Out. We were so inspired by her story, we decided to feature her in this issue of Rosewood. When Patty was 20 and just out of school, she started working as a secretary for a rich, powerful and important man. A relationship soon developed between them, and before she knew it her life centered around him. It took a long time for her to recognize the patterns of emotional and financial abuse he used. He cut off her relations with her family and friends. Instead of recognizing the warning signs, she thought, “He must love me so much to want to spend this much time with me.” He had successfully isolated her. Patty found out she was pregnant in 1996. When she refused to have an abortion, her abuser threatened to have someone beat her up until she lost the baby. Terrified, she hid from him. She didn’t drive home at night- in the car he owned, to the home that he owned. When Patty did have her daughter, he convinced her not to file for support in court. He assured her that he would take care of them without need of the court system. These were his ways of controlling her financially and emotionally. The financial and emotional abuse increased. Physical abuse soon followed. One day, her four year old daughter walked down the stairs just in time to see her father strangling Patty. “Daddy!” she screamed, and her father threw Patty straight back onto the cement floor, knocking the wind out of her. As her daughter grew up, she began telling people in the neighborhood that her father hits her mother. Patty’s initial reaction was to hush her daughter and tell her not to say anything. Patty says, “It was then that I had both a revelation and a meltdown... all at the same time. My revelation was that I didn’t want my daughter to grow up thinking this was okay, that all men were like this, that this was normal.” She looked at her life and realized the unhealthy message she was sending her daughter. She couldn’t believe she had become “one of those women.” She was smart and educated. She never thought this could have happened to her. At this point, Patty made the decision that she credits with both her daughter’s and her current health and safety. She enrolled herself and her daughter in counseling at Women’s Center & Shelter. She says that WC&S gave her the courage to leave her abuser. She became a client of the WC&S legal services team, and spent years fighting for her freedom in court. Her abuser fired Patty, took her car and her house. “My daughter and I were one foot away from being penniless and homeless,” Patty says, “but I no longer ran- I refused to live in fear any longer!” Patty found a job at a church and fought for years in the courts with the WC&S team. This year Patty celebrated two years working at a law firm. Her bosses know her story and support her and other IPV victims. She bought her own house and her own car, some of the proudest moments in her life. Patty wants readers to know that IPV is more than physical abuse. The physical abuse, if it happens, comes later in the relationship. It starts with emotional and financial control. She encourages young women to think about their relationships and trust their instincts. “Don’t let fear rule you. Fear can kill you. I was afraid to leave and afraid to stay.” She is also passionate in her belief that the court system needs to recognize emotional and financial abuse. We couldn’t agree more! WC&S Apology for Error in Recognition of US Steel U S Steel has been a supporter of Women’s Center & Shelter since 2006. US Steel’s support includes more than $25,000 in cash along with in-kind contributions totalling greater than $5,000. WC&S would also like to thank Liz Swearingin and other US Steel employees for donating hoagies for WC&S staff and resident lunches. Women’s Center & Shelter would like to formally apologize for failing to recognize US Steel in the 2009 Spring Clothes Out program. US Steel sponsored the event and its ad was omitted in error. We greatly appreciate US Steel’s involvement with WC&S and would like to honor US Steel’s proven commitment to ending intimate partner violence in the lives of women and children. 3 Launch of New Video Vignette Campaign If you missed the launch of Andrea’s vignette at the end of July, visit www.wcspittsburgh.org. “What does Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) look like?” “Is this typical in IPV?” You can view Andrea’s vignette and a video of WTAE’s story about the campaign. “Why doesn’t she just leave?” T hese are questions that WC&S staff and advocates are faced with all the time, but there is no easy answer. Every case of intimate partner violence is unique. There is no room for generalization in IPV advocacy. When this happens, other victims may not seek help. They may not realize that the emotional abuse they are suffering from is just as dangerous and damaging as the physical abuse that is most frequently talked about. With this in mind, WC&S is excited to unveil the new video vignette campaign. It shows the many faces of IPV and honors the stories of IPV survivors. Each month, WC&S will release a short video in which someone affected by IPV shares their story. These women and men have courageously stepped forward to share what they have long kept hidden. We are thrilled to report that they have considered the process positive and therapeutic. We know they will become role models for others who have been affected by IPV. We hope that their stories will both encourage victims to seek help and create new advocates through education. Don’t miss out on the video vignette campaign! Make sure you are signed up for our email list by joining our online community. See the last page for details on how to join. Become an online advocate by sharing the videos with friends and family! Take action by forwarding the emails and sharing the webpage on Facebook and Twitter. Here is what you have to look forward to: • • • A monthly eBlast with a link to a video vignette Interactive content for each vignette on the WC&S webpage including polls, surveys and discussion boards A “Wall of Survivors” webpage that includes all past video vignettes that will allow visitors, at a glance, to see the many faces of IPV In the first five vignettes: • • • • • A former DV victim talks about fleeing barefoot in the night A college student recounts her abusive boyfriend’s angelic behavior with her family A woman and her formerly abusive husband explain why they are still together A batterer shares why he was abusive A former child witness shares her childhood memories In June of 2010, WC&S launched a marketing campaign, which includes re-branding with a new logo and an updated and expanded website that now includes blogs and forums allowing community engagement and feedback. 4 Hotline Collaboration WC&S Hotline by the Numbers During the 2009/2010 fiscal year, the WC&S hotline: W omen’s Center & Shelter is embarking on an exciting new partnership with the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime (CVVC). The two agencies are pairing up to create a joint hotline for victims of any violent crime, including intimate partner violence, physical or sexual assault. This project is funded by a 3 year grant from Richard King (R.K.) Mellon Foundation. This is the beginning of the long term goal to have a single victim services hotline in Allegheny County. • Answered 5,940 calls from 2,826 callers • Provided 2,325.75 hours of counseling You might be wondering why two agencies that serve different victims of violent crime would want to share a hotline. Won’t there be a problem with consistency and quality of calls? The short answer is no. Staff from both agencies will complete extensive training in the policies and protocols of the other agency prior to the project’s implementation. Insightful Program Guidance T hey not only funded the hotline collaborative, R.K. Mellon Foundation had the insight to suggest additional funding for a “Wellness Day” for staff of both agencies. WC&S and CVVC staff gathered at Chatham College on June 14, 2010. The objective was to encourage staff to make their health a daily priority, just as staff tell their clients to do. Everyone enjoyed a day together complete with fitness activities, massages and seminars on healthy lifestyles. Staff from both agencies are excited to work together on the hotline collaboration. More problems arise for victims when they are handed a list with 10-15 hotline numbers. In the current system, after a victim has sought help from the police, a hospital or an operator, she will be given of list of 10-15 phone numbers to call to seek further care. When she starts calling the different agencies listed, it is likely that she will be transferred multiple times before being connected with the agency best able to meet her needs. She will only find help if she does not give up during this frustrating and confusing process. WC&S and CVVC have stepped forward to become leaders in resolving this problem. The project team is developing a detailed screening process to correctly identify what agency the victim must call to have her needs best met. This should eliminate the need for her to be transferred again, and thereby help her find services as soon as possible. It reduces the likelihood that, out of frustration, she will give up her pursuit of help... until she is the victim of another violent act. Our vision for the future is a single victim services hotline in Allegheny County for all victims of violent crime. When a victim seeks help, the police officer or hospital staff member will provide her ONE phone number. She will call that number, be assessed for immediate safety, and promptly be transferred to the appropriate agency where she will receive the counseling and services necessary for her safety and recovery. 24 Hour Hotline 412-687-8005 5 Commemorative GiftsFollowing this issue of Rosewood, Women’s Center & Shelter is changing the way it recognizes honor and memorial gifts. We hope that you will agree that this change benefits both donors and WC&S. Rather than publish the list of commemorative gifts in Rosewood, we will be displaying honor and memorial gifts on an exclusive commemorative gifts webpage. Commemorative gifts will be listed on the webpage as soon as they are processed by WC&S staff, and they will be displayed on the webpage for the full fiscal year in which they were given. The change creates two major benefits: added recognition and reduced costs. Recognition will be dramatically increased, because the gift will be displayed for a full fiscal year rather than in one print issue of Rosewood. The information will be publicly viewable in real time by anyone who visits the webpage, rather than only being seen by our Rosewood mailing list. Not only does the recognition time increase, the information will also be viewable much sooner. A donor will not have to wait for July to see the gift they gave during the previous August. That gift will be online from August through July. WC&S will also benefit from reduced printing costs. As you can see from this issue, commemorative gifts typically take up about 4 pages of space in Rosewood. By eliminating 4 pages to print, WC&S can save money to be used for our life-saving services. In Honor Of Honored By Abigail A. Penny Gail Kryk Anastasia Terese Jungle Andrea J. Carelli Alan Citron Amy Phillips Andrea Glickman Deborah Breslof Eileen D’Amico Eva T. Blum, Esq. Grant Duffield Gretchen Fay Jann Curti Karen Craig Karen McMahon Kathleen Carelli Kathy and John McKinnon Linda and Skip Hornak Mark Dombrowski Mary McFadden Maryann Bacharach Michael and Wendy Harrington Michael Labriola Michelle Bisno Mr. & Mrs. H. Scott Cunningham Mr. Frank J. Taucher Ms. Rebecca L. Ridgeway PNC Financial Services Group PNC Foundation Robert Casey Shadyside Dentistry The Honorable Brent Haberstroh Theresa Kaufman Thomas Miller Ann R. Meyer Harry and Jane Thompson Ann Soske Lynn Marsico Anna M. Wagner Darrell Zufall Anya King Sigrid King Arthur C. Bittner Fitzsimmons Metal Co., Inc. Ashley K. Stevens Phyllis Stevens Barbara Nicholas Karen Craig Beau Berman Beau Berman Becky Pagano Michael Trainor Bernadette E. Smith Christine Filippi Beverly Costa Patty Costa Blake and Bella Danielle Uffelman Café Sam Anne Curtis and Timothy Clark Caitlin McCann Kathleen McCann 6 Catherine Bilkey Gary and Grace Abbs Cee Cee McNulty Francis McNulty Ceil Kitchen Robert C. Meyer Charles J. Queenan Lucy and David Szklinski Christiana and Paula Hana Rosenthal Clients Francine Fettman Cynthia L. Stickley Lynn Hawker Daniel Keller Michael Trainor Danielle AbuNuwar Helen Calaiaro Dawn Zachow Katherine Wilkins Devon Jennings Gayle Jennings Dinah Abbott Barbara Marcus Donna L. Power Mark Phillis Edith Scheiner Mary Kuffner Eileen Kennon Linda Balsinger Ellie Barbach Marjorie Greenberger July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 Emma and Clara Clark Lisa Frank Filomena F. Varvaro Filomena and Vincent Varvaro Fred Cullen Michael Trainor Gabby Dinman Bruce and Claire Morrison George Balderose Robert Lazear Gloria Armstrong Presbyterian Women Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church James P. Good Mike Elliot Jay Reifer Jed Reifer Jennifer Machen Steven and Susan Zelicoff Jessica Glass Jason Rollison Joan A. Linsenmeier Ruth and Bernard Winer John G. Lovelace Gina and David Pferdehirt Jonette Joseph Carol and Francis McCarthy Josephine Marcellus Mary Lucy Ferraro Joyce Oesterling Alice O’Brien June Weber Carolyn Reuter Karen Flynn Lynn Marsico Kathleen J. Welsh Kenneth Stiger Kathleen R. Mulligan George and Barbara Campbell Kathy Burke Delores and Edward Burchell Kathy G. Zachary Mihok Kelly McCafferty Steven and Susan Zelicoff Kimberly R. Owens Beth Fulena Kristy Trautmann Shirl Regan Lawrence W. Kaplan Jeffrey L. Pollock, Esq. Linda M. Thier Dorothy Bechtol John and Dorothy Bechtol John Lovelace Leslie and Jan Swensen Robert and Deborah Nichols Russell and Rachel Bear Wendy Hopwood Lindsay H. Gorby Debra Kline Dr. Paula Bonino Keith Somers and Deborah Moss Maribeth Donnelly Marilyn Osachy Michael Kazar and Rebecca Foster Ms. Kathryn Spitz and Mr. Jeffrey B. Cohan Nan and Reza Weizenbaum Natalie and Brent Furlong Susan Apel Lisa Standish Jeffrey L. Pollock, Esq. Lois R. O’Connor Donald and Dorothy Gasper Lois Mikus Robert V. Stovash Loretta Benec Karen Craig Lorraine A. Leslie Michele Weatherly Lorraine M. Bittner Arthur and Mary Bittner David J. Slesnick, Esq. Lynette L. Brooks Michele Cole and Michael Houlahan Lynn Richards Jean Ewers 7 Lynn W. Hawker Cynthia Stickley M. Elaine Robinson Kathleen Welsh Madison Elliott Charlene Stone Margaret L. Bonner Joseph and Shirley Bonner Maria G. Danaher Therese Kovac Marian R. Gregg Margot Callahan Marion Hill Thomas and Judith Mills Maura Mullen Steven and Susan Zelicoff Meghan Jennings Gayle Jennings Micheal Minor Staci and Micheal Minor Michele T. Cole Michael Houlahan Mitchell Roberts Adelaide Wagasky Molly Weiss Steven and Susan Zelicoff The Muska Family Mark Phillis My Brother Kathryn and Craig Churman Myrtle Gedid Eileen Schmidt Narra V. Devi Durga Malepati, M.D. Noreen Marinelli Linda and Jay Thier The Buhl Foundation Norma Clouse Keith Clouse Norma M. Raiff Mrs. Lois R. O’Connor Patricia Tsagaris Robert Lazear Patti Bintrim Kiley C. Cauvel Commemorative Gifts Paula Harvey Linda Balsinger Pittsburgh Pirates M. Board Joseph Yakelis R. Stanton Wettick Bradley Dornish Rachel Lorey Allen Karen Craig Ralph Lautmann Susan and David Lovejoy Rebecca L. Burdick Roberta and Anthony Delazio Rhonda L. Fleming Mrs. Patrice T. Martin Rita Andrea Banovic and Richard Rios Robin L. Godfrey Randi Starr Rochelle L. Friedman Mary Beth Waine The McDonald Group, L.L.P. Rona L. Nesbit Janet and Laurice Sargert Sabrina Korbel David J. Slesnick, Esq. Sally Manganello Ruth Wintner Sandra Kemrer Ella Moravec Sara, Seth and Susannah Debra Rubinstein Sarah Mistick Steven and Susan Zelicoff Sarah Z. Minard Elsa Limbach and Plamen Karagiozov Sara Minard and Walter Limbach Savta A. Schlar Lisa Schlar Sharon Mirles Jennifer and Joseph Goldston Shelley Campbell Carol and Francis McCarthy Shelley Stark Tina and Randy Famiglietti Sherley F. Craig Elizabeth Swaim Karen Craig Sherry Kelsey Joel and Pamela Greenhouse Shirl Regan DeDe and Tom Ritner Shirley G. Phillis Kaia and John Sipple Spring Clothes Out Committee Rachel & Brian Allen Staci Minor Barbara Nicholas Stacie Hitt Daniel Reiter Stefanie P. Junker Patricia Fiddner Susan DiLucente Jeffrey L. Pollock, Esq. Tina Turner Deborah Ann Leister Tish Marsico Lynn Marsico Upper St. Clair Teacher Group E. Ann Gladden Velouise Bell Darrell Bell Victims of LA Fitness Shooting Arthur and Arden Solomon Vikki Newton Jim and Jennifer Shuttleworth Walter A. Bunt Kathleen and Chris Hendrickson Lucy and David Szklinski Wilda J. Wilson George and Carolyn Bashore Women’s Center & Shelter Staff Helen and H. Glenn Braun Lillian and Robert Meyers Lynn Hawker Martha A. Friday Merck Partnership for Giving Susan Ritchie William and Doris Malter Zachary Brant Anne C. Hill 8 In Memory Of Remembered By Agnes Malloy Ty Malloy Aleen Holtzman Redlich Robert Lazear Alice Len Sclafani Peter Sclafani Alma Jackson Ms. Eileen D. Yacknin Amy B. Ellis Elaine Arlott Anita Teeter Sara and John Davis Buss Ann Mulcahy Amy and Louis Weiss Constance and Jamie Egan David Bauer & Sharon Dilworth Sarah Nichols Steven and Susan Zelicoff Susan Golomb Tim Komen & Damian Ruyechan Ann Portokalis Ms. Georgeann Portokalis Ann Zarnic Janice Zahurak Aunt Ceil Jo and Edwin Schuman Barbara Rich David and Margaret Damico Robin Longman Becky Milkovich Renee Pekor Bill Spengler Marian Gregg Brother Bill Leonard and Joan Scheinholtz Bryan E. Coker Ninfa and Ernest Coker Carol A. Huttinger Robert and Virginia Gloz Carol Hershey Aurora Smith Nathan Hershey July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 Caroline Matey Darlene Matey Chole Snyder Barbara Mattis Christine Hornbake Shaw Elaine Renzelman Claire McCune Deborah and William Boyd Clara Gels Shirley Sobell Claudette Minno Alexander and Frances Minno Cynthia O. Pohlman Jerry and Dina Fulmer Judith Douglass Debbie and Reda Martin Patricia and Richard Meanor Donald D. Wolff Barbara Sloan Carolyn Wolff Rachel and Scot Stevens Sara McCrady Vernon T. Worrall, III and Carolyn Worrall Ed Constantin Josephine and Philip Ripepi Edward A. Craig Charles and Julia Grimstad Karen Craig Elizabeth M. Hauser Debra Hauser Elsie M. Carter Elsie and Alex Murray Emma Bursick Kathlee Fitzgerald Eric R. Yonish Ashley Stevens Evie Levine Alison and Norman Kresh Fred Swanson Wilda J. Wilson Garrett and Evan Shields Stephanie and Harold Shields Helen A. Cook Florence Gaskill Irene Keys Wanda McAllister Irma Coolas Loretta Lobes Isabelle Rubinstein Holtman Leff Robert Lazear J.D. Thornton Mr. & Mrs. Jay Reifer Jack McCarthy Phyllis Stevens Jack Whalen Patricia and John Pajer Jane A. Klett Mr. & Mrs. William Y. Klett, Jr. Janie Zeller Robin Hummel-Johnson Jasminka Lemo Janet R. Necessary, Esq. Jean McGee Sallows Stephanie and Harold Shields Jessy Stein’s Beloved Father Norma Michaels Joan M. Latta Kimberly Latta John Schatzer Jetta Svaranowic Josephine Collins Reska Deborah and William Boyd Judith M. Angel Dorothea and James Emanuel Judith and Brian Weinstein Patricia Rigatti Ruth Wintner Judy Nagy Martha Robbins and Walter Bowman Karen L. Homan Donna Homan Kathryn Peart Lawrence Peart Kathy Cecotti Noreen and Joseph Marinelli Keith Riley Mr. Kevin B. Riley Kevin Scheeser Debra and Brian Scheeser 9 Leslie Alberts Robert O. Lampl, Esq. Lillian Kellaher Carolyn Byrne Linda Farkas Ward Tabitha and Charles Geramita Linda Rosen Joel and Pamela Greenhouse Lucy Meacham Mrs. James G. Hunter Lynnie B. Murray Elsie and Alex Murray Maria Cupps John Cupps Maria E. Almazan Monica Granato Marian J. Hofer Karel Ulizio Martha Herman Edwin Strassburger Martha M. Dickinson Robert Simonds Susan and Roger Cox Martha P. Lang Joseph Lang Mary E. Cole Anne Bowes Carol K. Lampe, CFP Ellen Toker Frances Cohen-Knoerdel Ms. Arlene M. Stromberg Ms. Cheryle E. Campbell Woodene Merriman Mary J. Shaw Lois Klinar Mary Jo Debor G. Paul DeBor Gary and Connie Vay Ms. Debbie Rauber Robert and Janine Yelenovsky Mary Katora Barbara Smith Mervin Mallet Milton and Marcia Ripp Mildred Gerstbrein Constance Y. McKeever, Esq. Commemorative GiftsJuly 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 Nicole Mary Osegueda Our Mothers Irene and John Wall Pamela Engram Cheryl Gargasz-Gibbons Patricia Monaghan Francis Monaghan Paul Christiano Larry and Marilyn Cartwright Paul Nelson Diana Nelson Paula Lanz Jonette and Gregory Joseph Raymond Allen Phyllis Stevens Robert Sedory Yuet Komisars Robert Skoff Marian Gregg Rose Gregg Marian Gregg Roxie Peter Sclafani Ruth Haas Stephanie and Teddy Hazard Sally Durrant Phyllis Stevens Selma Berger Sheila and Joel Justin Sheila Moritz James Moritz Sheryl Swartz Carol Odell Darlene McIntosh and Ronald D’amico Jolene Steinmetz Kelly Harrah Mary Ann Organ Volunteer Spotlight Cont’d Sue Khoury Robert Lazear Tammy Baird James Yoxall Ted Craig David and Susan Brownlee Elizabeth Finegold Jane Van Kirk Lucy and David Szklinski Tillie Seddon Laurie and Phillip Robison Viola Reinhardt Denise and Richard Sabolcik Violet Thomson Michael and Jennifer Cerce W. T. Brooks Mark Brubaker and Celeste Steffen Noreen and Joseph Marinelli Donor Spotlight ...Shadyside. When Women’s Center & Shelter moved to its current location, she decided to go to the open house. Wilda said the open house deeply moved her, and was the catalyst that led her to volunteer at WC&S. At the time, there was a long waiting list to sign up for volunteer training classes. She completed the training and began volunteering on the hotline, where she has been every week since. Why has she kept volunteering for so long? “I love the people I work with,” she said. Both they and her experiences talking with women on the hotline have greatly enriched her life. Although some of the crisis calls are difficult and make her feel helpless, she said “I gain far more than I give.” Wilda said she has noticed many changes take place at WC&S over the years. “It’s totally different,” she said, “It’s much more structured now. It used to be very loose and informal, but the change is probably for the better!” Women’s Center & Shelter is deeply grateful for the dedication Wilda has shown to ending intimate partner violence in the lives of women and children. We hope that she will stick around for another 14 years! 10 A teddy bear collection drive was held the week of February 15, 2010 by Babst, Calland, Clements & Zomnir, P.C. The drive kicked off with a lunch time program at the company’s office. WC&S staff gave a presentation on intimate partner violence and the services provided by Women’s Center & Shelter. Thanks to Babst, Calland, Clements & Zomnir, P.C., all children at WC&S have a teddy bear to keep them company! This is a great help in easing a child’s transition to the Shelter and Children’s Program. Wish List Below is a Wish List of items needed by the women and children living in shelter and utilizing related services at Women’s Center and Shelter (WC&S). Note that this list is updated and reflects the current needs of the women and children we serve. WC&S clients come from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, so we hope you will keep this in mind when shopping for products. Small sample size shampoos, lotions, soaps, etc. are NOT being accepted at this time. Thank you for your understanding. If you or your organization would like to host a collection drive on behalf of WC&S, please contact the Development Department at 412-687-8017 ext. 335 to fill out an event registration form. **Urgent Need Items** (New Only Please) • • • • • • • • • • New Clothing (especially size 14 and up) Women’s Pajamas Women’s Socks Women’s Underwear (especially larger sizes) Women’s Bras (especially larger sizes) Slippers Casual Shoes (especially size 10) Baby Soap, Lotion and Toiletries Deodorant Journals and Notebooks for Women Items for Residential Services Household items - Pillowcases, Air Mattresses, Dish Towels, Irons, Coffee Makers, Can Openers, Alarm Clocks, Toasters, Silverware, Dish Racks, Pots & Pans (NEW), Bake Ware (NEW), Microwaves, TV’s, Mixers, Blenders, Food Choppers Hair Care Products - Shampoo, Conditioner, Pro Style Gel, Pink Moisturizing Lotion, Dark & Lovely Hair Products (perm kit, gel, grease, & hair spray), Spritz, Hair Grease, Oil Sheen, Motions Hair Products, Organic Root Stimulator Hair Products Baby Items - Baby Wipes, Lotion, Shampoo, Baby Bath Toiletries - Body Wash, Powder, Lotion, Mouthwash, Nail Polish Remover, Baby Oil, Conditioner, Tampons, Combs & Brushes Whether you volunteer 2 hours a week or 2 hours a month, your help is greatly appreciated and needed! Check out volunteer opportunities at www.wcspittsburgh.org or call 412-687-8017 ext. 335. Pella Windows Promotion Volunteer! Pella Windows and Doors is proud to partner with WC&S! Pella is donating back 2% of every installed sale back to WC&S! Interested? Just call: 1-877213-4879, click: www.pellafriends.com/wcspittsburgh, or mention The Women’s Center & Shelter in one of their six Pittsburgh Showrooms! Install by December 31, 2010 and also earn up to $1500 back in tax credits! Contact Pella today to receive an additional $25 off of current promotions and schedule your free in-home appointment.” When the United Way Contributor’s Choice Campaign kicks off this September, don’t forget that the WC&S code is #110! United Way Contributor’s Choice In August of 2009, Shirl Regan, WC&S Executive Director, received the Angel Award presented by the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community for her dedication to healing victims of domestic violence. 11 P.O. Box 9024 Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Become a WC&S Advocate! Participate in DV Impact Survey Visit www.wcspittsburgh.org to fill out our survey on DV in the Pittsburgh community. We are gathering data that will be used to support our systems advocacy work. All participants will remain anonymous. The survey will ask a few short multiple choice questions and will remain open until September 3. Attend a Friend Maker Event A recent needs assessment found that two thirds of the community is unaware of Women’s Center. We invite you to join us at a Friend Maker event this year. Come and learn more about WC&S so you can help spread the word about the comprehensive services we provide to victims of intimate partner violence. Please call 412-687-8017 ext. 335 to RSVP. Join our Social Networks Keep up to date on the latest WC&S news by joining our social networks. Become an online advocate by forwarding WC&S’ messages and sharing its content on your social networks. WC&S Online Community: By joining our online community, you are subscribed to WC&S emails (and the video vignette campaign); can participate in surveys, polls and discussion boards; and can manage your contact information online. 1. Visit www.wcspittsburgh.org 2. Click the “Community” tab 3. Click “Sign Up Now!” Facebook: Search for “Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh” Linked In: Search for “Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh” August: Pre-Teen Friend Maker September: Financial Planner Friend Maker October: Teen Friend Maker Twitter: Search for “wcspittsburgh” 12