Hope`s Door Newsletter Fall 2014

FA L L 2 014
16TH ANNUAL TEEN SYMPOSIUM PROVIDED INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
Keynote speaker Mary Dunne deeply touched the audience
with her presentation about her daughter Lauren Astley, who
died at the hands of her former boyfriend just days after
high school graduation. Ms. Dunne started with a slideshow
of pictures of her daughter’s life with Lauren’s beautiful
voice singing as the backdrop. She followed with the story of
Lauren’s unhealthy relationship from the beginning to the very
unfortunate end.
The Hope’s Door 16th Annual
Teen Symposium, held on
Friday, October 24, 2014 at
Manhattanville College had
over 320 students, teachers, and volunteers in attendance, and featured three
unique program participants
that captured the attention
of the audience.
T
Keynote speaker Mary Dunne, speaking about her
daughter Lauren Astley
he Men’s Initiative, a component of the Women’s Center in
Danbury, Connecticut, brought an interesting and important point of view to the symposium, focusing on the male
population and how they can be proactive in bringing an end
to dating abuse and domestic violence.
Luncheon Chair Pat Carrera
Left to Right: U.S. District Judge
Naomi Reice Buchwald, Westchester
County Board of Legislators Vice
Chairman Jim Maisano, NY State
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin
The Gibney Dance Center’s three-part interpretive dance
experience, “Hands Are for Holding,” illustrated in a creative
way the importance of valuing and supporting your partner
and treating each other with equality, respect, and trust.
To learn more about our Love Shouldn’t Hurt teen
program, contact Teen Program Coordinator Gina Curcuru at
(914) 747-0828 ext. 1015 or [email protected].
To read more or support its efforts, visit
www.HopesDoorNY.org/teen-prevention-program.
W
Thank you to
our 2014
LuncheonCommittee
e would like to thank our 2014 Luncheon
Committee for all the hard work they did
to make our event a success. Thank you
to our Luncheon Chair Patricia Carrera, our Silent
Auction Chair Abby Woodworth, Rachel Baron, Karen
Burchetta, Joy Cotton, Thea DuBow, Wendy M.
Gardner, Patricia Meravy, Eliana Miranda, Caroline
Murphy, Diane Rooney, Caroline Shepherd, and Cathy
Skurman.
Top Left to Right: The Westchester Bank
President and CEO John Tolomer, Deputy
County Executive Kevin Plunkett, The
Westchester Bank Senior Vice President
and Chief Credit Officer Eric Wiggins
Bottom: Executive Director CarlLa Horton
Next year’s luncheon is planned for Friday, October
16, 2014 at Mt. Kisco Country Club. Our speaker
is Dyllan McGee, Emmy-award winning Executive
Producer at Kunhardt McGee Productions. McGee
is the Founder and Executive Producer of MAKERS:
Women Who Make America, and oversees all documentary and web programming. Learn more about her
by visiting www.kunhardtmcgee.com and www.makers.
com. We are forming next year’s luncheon committee
now, and if you are interested in joining the committee, please contact Lindsay Amoroso at 914-7470828 ext. 1009 or [email protected].
Thank you to our
Annual
Luncheon
Sponsors
Left to Right: Laurie Sturz, Kristin Currid, Hilary Anderson, Lee Manning-Vogelstein,
Anne-Marie Nordgren
Hope’s
“Power
Door
of the Purse”
Annual Luncheon
Left to Right: Ilene Kafka, Judy Schnuer,
Jean O’Connor, Priscilla Lennox, Jenna
Lennox, Sandy Dineen, Sharon Riechers,
NY State Senator-elect Terrence Murphy,
Caroline Murphy, Marianne Oros, Board of
Directors Member Jean Marie Connolly,
Anne Ring
Left to Right: Shari Gordon, Esq., NY State
Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Westchester
County Clerk Tim Idoni
Patricia Carrera, AXA Advisors
Designer
Lee Manning-Vogelstein
Rakow Commercial Realty Group, Inc
Vintage
Kroll
Warshaw Burstein
The Westchester Bank
Patron
Left to Right: Mayo Barlett, Board
of Directors Vice President Debra
Kousouros, Board of Directors Member
Dan Schorr
Left to Right: NY State Assemblyman David
Buchwald, Linda Schorr, Gary Schorr, Don
Buchwald
Couture
Left to Right: Alayne Katz, Esq., Luncheon Chair
Pat Carrera, Daniella Piper, Executive Director
CarlLa Horton
Left to Right: Committee Member Rachel
Baron, Lauren Yorks, Heather Hecht
Hon. Tom Abinanti
Susan Bauman
Tiffany Bauman
Karen Brinton
Renée Brown
Colleen Torpie Insurance Agency
Ingrid Connolly
Jean Marie Connolly
Deanne Fitzpatrick
Wendy M. Gardner
Carol Gismondi
Shari Gordon, Esq.
Alayne Katz, Esq.
Hon. Arlene Katz
Martha Kohn
Debra Kousouros, Esq.
Michele Lazzara
Maier Markey & Justic LLP
Hon. Jim Maisano
Ken Marsolais
Hon. Amy Paulin
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Linda Rey
Anne Ring
JoAnn Rossano
Cindy Rubino
Nancy K. Simpkins
Hon. Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Laurie & Paul Sturz
Tompkins Mahopac Bank
Marjorie Varrichio
www.HopesDoorNY.org
FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
C A RLLA HO RTO N
As 2014 comes to a close, we are reminded of all those who helped us
succeed in our work over the last year. Foremost are the survivors we
serve. Their strength and courage inspire us every day. Next is our staff.
Their dedication and sense of purpose is manifested in everything they
do. Our board members and other volunteers provide vital governance
and organizational support. Our donors step in with everything from
major program funding to a Halloween costume or holiday present for
a child who feels he has lost everything. All of you combined create a
dynamic synergy of mission and purpose, which results in comments such
as these recently offered by those we serve:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eric I. Wrubel, Esq., President
Debra Kousouros, Esq., Vice President
Ira Schulman, Secretary
Wendy M. Gardner, Treasurer
Jean Marie Connolly
Ken Marsolais
Dan Schorr
ADVISORY BOARD
Sheryl Dale, Chair
1. I feel safer knowing I have Hope’s Door in my life!
Asst. Director, Mohawk Day Camp
Renée Brown, CEO, C.W. Brown
2. I feel understood and not alone.
3. Hope’s Door has been a tremendous asset to me and my son.
Alyssa Dweck, MD, MK Medical Group
Jeffrey Kohn, Managing Partner,
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
4. e gusta como los ayuda los nosotros las mujers que necesitamos que
los ayuden.
Joel Seligman, President & CEO,
Northern Westchester Hospital
5. I’m grateful for all the help and support I am getting from Hope’s
Door. You are earthly angels.
Irina Zhabinskaya, MD, Med. Dir., Ped.,
Northern Westchester Hospital
Please know how grateful we are for all you did to make words like those
above possible.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CarlLa Horton, MPA
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Jennifer Ryan Safsel, Director of Development
& Community Relations
Lindsay Amoroso, Development Associate
Gay French-Ottaviani, LCSW-R
Senior Counselor for Community Services
Margo Goody, Designer
AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN OF
WESTCHESTER ANNUAL BREAKFAST
Top Row (Left to Right): WestCOP CEO John
Savage, Director of Development Jennifer Ryan
Safsel, White Plains Youth Bureau Director
Frank Williams, Greenburgh Department of
Community Resources Deputy Commissioner
Andre G. Early, Pace Women’s Justice Center
Executive Director Jane Aoyama-Martin
Bottom Row (Left to Right): Executive Director
CarlLa Horton, Comptroller Phil Morton.
SURVIVOR’S STORY
Edward, a seven year old boy who came to Hope’s Door with his
mother, is an outgoing and outspoken child. Edward witnessed
his mother being abused by his father. Often, he would try to
stop the fighting and be the peacemaker. Edward’s mom has
full custody, but, he has supervised visitation with his father
weekly. Although he had vivid memories of his father yelling
and scaring his mother, Edward still loved his father very much.
However, he was afraid of his father.
After counseling at Hope’s Door, Edward improved his communication skills through the use of play therapy. During roleplay, Edward was able to act as his father and his counselor
would pretend to be Edward. This process allowed Edward to
find healthy ways to express his feelings, fears, and sadness
about his father. In addition, he acted out scenarios that
happened at school, which helped him find healthier approaches
to dealing with conflict. Edward was also encouraged to practice writing his feelings and exploring alternative healthy ways
of expression. This process helped him express his feelings of
anger towards his father and taught him how best to cope
when his feelings get difficult to manage.
As a result of these techniques, Edward feels safer, enabling
him to speak to his father about his fears. In addition,
Edward’s behavior, both in school and at home, has improved.
Edward has learned the techniques that allow him to be less
emotionally reactive, and he is doing better.
CHILDREN’S CORNER
M
Trick or Treat!
Gobble Gobble!
T
his fall the children’s program has been full of excitement and energy, as we worked hard to normalize the lives of the
children in our program. We held a “superhero” Halloween party where children created their own superhero costumes
and played superhero themed games. We celebrated Thanksgiving with a party where families enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal
together and the children participated in activities like a fun “hide and seek” turkey hunt. At both parties, we saw a significant
increase in the number of attendees from last year. As more families learn about Hope’s Door and reach out to us for counseling and support, the need for children’s services rapidly rises. We look forward to our December holiday events. In advance,
we thank you, our donors and volunteers, who will help make this holiday season bright for our children.
To support our efforts, visit www.HopesDoorNY.org/donate and select the option to donate directly to the children’s program.
If you would like to give to our holiday drive, please contact Tami Shimkin, our Office Manager, at 914-747-0828 ext. 1000 or
email her at [email protected].
HOPE’S DIVAS RUN TO RAISE MONEY FOR HOPE’S DOOR
On October 5, 2014, Lisa Moraglia, Deborah Papson, and Melissa Trombetta
crossed the finish line of the Diva Half Marathon Long Island in East Meadow,
NY together wearing purple boas in support of Hope’s Door during Domestic
Violence Awareness Month. Prior to the race, the three Westchester women in
collaboration with Hope’s Door set up a fundraising page which they sent out to
their friends and family with a goal of raising $1,000 in donations to the organization. By the time the race was over, the team raised $2,949, almost triple
their initial goal!
Left to Right: Melissa Trombetta, Deb Papson & Lisa Moraglia
When asked why the women chose to support Hope’s Door, Melissa Trombetta
said, “When we made the decision to run in the Diva Half Marathon together, we
wanted it to be more than just crossing the finish line. Since it is predominately
a women’s race, we wanted to support a local organization that is dedicated to
helping women in crisis, and that’s how we found Hope’s Door.”
A PROFILE ON
COUNSELING:
PUTTING A FACE
ON HOPE’S DOOR
Dear Hope,
KAUSER COCO ALVI
Thank you,
Jane
HOPE’S DOOR SEEKS TO END DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AND TO EMPOWER VICTIMS TO
ACHIEVE SAFETY, INDEPENDENCE, AND
HEALING FROM THE TRAUMA OF ABUSE.
Dear Jane,
K
earned her MSW
from the Columbia University School of Social Work and
a BA in Psychology and Women’s Studies from Purchase
College. Coco has worked as a psychotherapist at Family
Services of Westchester, as the Domestic Violence Program
Director at the South Asian Women’s Association, and with
the United Nations Population Fund where she conducted
research in gender-based violence and its impact on
women and girls.
Coco first came to Hope’s Door
for a summer internship. As a
former retail manager at Bergdorf,
Coco has a strong fashion style.
Hope’s Door took advantage of
that when Coco modeled and
helped on a fashion show fundraiser at Bloomingdale’s.
After receiving her MSW degree,
Coco began working as a counselor
with a special focus on South Asian
and Muslim victims. “I am fluent in
Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi, which is
an invaluable asset for our multicultural services. I am currently
active with the American Muslim
Women’s Association and Behbud
USA, which works to empower
Muslim/Pakistani women. In 2011,
I was appointed to the Westchester
County Women’s Advisory Board,”
states Coco.
“Coco’s counseling skills and culturally adept understanding unite to make her extremely effective in
overcoming the unique barriers to safety and independence that victims, especially South Asian and Muslim, face
in their struggles to live free from abuse,” states Executive
Director CarlLa Horton.
I recently attended your Annual Fall Luncheon and spoke
to a counselor about what I could do to help at the
holidays in terms of donating holiday gifts and possibly gently
used items.
Could you tell me what Hope’s Door accepts and how my
friends and I could help the families served by Hope’s Door?
Thank you for asking this thoughtful question. Hope’s Door
accepts new and gently used donations ranging from clothes
and toys to household items. Many of the families we serve
are left with little to nothing when attempting to start their
new life free from abuse. Hope’s Door empowers families,
particularly the children, by trying to normalize their transition as much as possible. As you can imagine, victims and their
children are saddened when they are unable to collect all
their personal belongings before leaving their home for
safety. Furthermore, holidays can be an especially difficult time
of year for victims and their children. If you can put yourself
in the victims’ shoes, what would you want for yourself, your
family or friends during what should be a joyful time of year?
Please visit our website at www.HopesDoorNY.org/donate to
view the list of items we’re collecting for the holidays, as
well as the form that we ask you to fill out to accompany
your donation. We appreciate your caring outreach and offer
to make a family’s holiday more memorable and enjoyable.
Again, thank you.
Wishing you a happy holiday,
Hope
E-MAIL DEAR HOPE AT: [email protected]
Executive Director CarlLa Horton accepts a donation from Ramblers
Way Farm at the 90th anniversary of the Charles Department Store in
Katonah. Many thanks to Tom Chappell, founder of Tom’s of Maine and
Ramblers Way Farm, and Clothing Buyer Kelly Raneri for their kindness.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
White Plains, NY
Permit No. 560
PO Box 203
39 Washington Avenue
Pleasantville, NY 10570
Call our free and confidential 24/7 bilingual hotline 888.438.8700 — hablamos español.
www.HopesDoorNY.org
Hope’s Door Offices: 914.747.0828
Home. It’s where you should feel safe and protected. Hope’s Door. It’s who you call if you’re not.
El Hogar. Es donde debes sentirse seguro y protegido. Hope’s Door. Somos a quien llamar si no lo estas.
THE ALLSTATE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS HOPE’S DOOR
THE ALLSTATE INSURANCE FOUNDATION PURPLE PURSE CHALLENGE KICKOFF EVENT
We would like to say thank you to The Allstate Foundation for their
$1,000 grant. Pictured left to right: Allstate Exclusive Agents Mario
and Eliana Miranda, and Hope’s Door Executive Director CarlLa Horton.
Back Row (Left to Right) Victoria Dinges, SVP Corporate Relations, Allstate Insurance
Company; Kim Gandy, President & CEO, National Network to End Domestic Violence;
Jennifer Ryan Safsel, Director of Development and Community Relations, Hope’s Door;
Tom Wilson, CEO & President, Allstate Insurance Company & The Allstate Foundation;
Colleen Torpie, Owner, Colleen Torpie Allstate Agency; Jane Torpie; Fundraising Intern,
Changing Our World; Adrienne J. Cooper, Versatile Sales Director, Allstate Insurance
Company. Front Row (Left to Right) Jim Clark, Territorial Sales Leader, Allstate Insurance
Company; Abraham Spann, Jr., Owner, Abraham Kevin Spann & Sons Allstate Insurance.
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HOPESDOORNYINC