September 2008

September 2008
...a CODA Volunteer, Priceless!
A twenty-four hour operation which includes housing, feeding, counseling,
and transporting a constantly fluctuating number of women and children
while simultaneously writing grants, educating the public, raising funds and
producing literature in multiple languages requires all the help it can get!
Community educator/volunteer coordinator, Tiffany, and her incredible cadre of volunteers have brought aid and comfort to CODA clients and staff. On
any given day, Tiffany may be asked to provide an interpreter for a Spanish-speaking client heading to court, a person to grocery shop for the shelter,
someone to provide activities for the children while their mothers attend
group counseling or a spokesperson to address a local organization about
domestic violence and CODA’s services.
Quietly, seemingly effortlessly, Tiffany has assembled a multi-talented group,
building on the pool of volunteers in place before her arrival. CODA is abuzz
with fresh faces, much to the delight of clients and staff! On a visit to CODA,
you might meet...
See page 3 -Volunteers
Tiffany, August 2008
Find more good
news inside!
Hope Chest Angels
Angels, Pati Patrick, M.C. Strong and
Brenda Whitlow, with Cleo.
Never underestimate a group of
determined women wanting to do
good. Last spring, a group of Hilton
Head women approached CODA to
learn how they could help residents
leaving the shelter for new homes.
“Beginning a brand new life with
nothing - what a frightening experience! They need to know that other
women have been where they are
and have survived and succeeded.
They need someone to love on
them,” enthused Brenda Whitlow as
she offered the group’s services to do
whatever appropriate to help ease
the women’s transitions.
Dubbing themselves the “Hope Chest
Angels,” the women announced in
late spring they were ready to have
their debut. Cleo, with the help of
CODA staff, had recently secured
housing and was ready to leave the
shelter. The angels, with very little
notice, miraculously rounded up an
array of needed furniture and housewares via “E-mail blasts” to similarly
compassionate friends. Fortunately, at
the last moment, they found a truck
to haul the loot to Cleo’s home.
The angels, who wished to contribute more than an anonymous
donation of goods, spent the afternoon helping Cleo place furniture
and decorate so that each time Cleo
glances around her home she will be
reminded a host of angels are rooting for her.
See page 5 -Angels
Page 2
From Russia, with Compassion
For the moment, Olesya, CODA’s recently-hired staff attorney, wouldn’t
live anywhere but the lowcountry. She briefly considered joining fellow law
school graduates in New York City but could not bear to leave Hilton Head
and its environs.
Olesya, August 2008
Such affection for the lowcountry is in stark contrast to her attitude ten years
earlier when she accompanied her parents in their emigration from Russia.
The then-seventeen year old was already in college and very comfortable in
the urban atmosphere of Moscow. She could not believe her misfortune at
landing in a spot so unlike home - a place whose customs and language were
incomprehensible. Although her parents’ motivation was to provide opportunity for her, she was miserable and saw only the roadblocks her family
encountered as immigrants.
However, she knew she must persevere and enrolled at Hilton Head High.
Two years later, she entered college and graduated from the College of
Charleston a new person. Although her attitude toward her new home had
done an about-face, her negative experiences motivated her career choice.
“ Anyone can
change her life ...”
.!
Taking a Stand
CODA Board of Directors
Eugene Rugala, President
Marcia Seymour, Vice President
Eugene Cox
Mary Jones
Bob Cullen
Sally Mitchell
Cheryl Doe
Renee Ross
Roy Flannagan
Ricky Parks
Kinney Gause
Judith Scanlon
William Jameson
David Willis
Richard Wilson
Executive Director: Kristin Dubrowski, MNM
Assistant Director: Mary Fairbanks
Newsletter: Martha Lawrence, Communications Coordinator
“Taking a Stand” is published by CODA to address the
issues and consequences of domestic violence. CODA
serves Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties in
South Carolina. CODA offers shelter for families escaping domestic violence, a 24-hour crisis line, counseling
for women and children, court advocacy, case management and community education. CODA provides equal
opportunity in employment and client services and
does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability,
race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, national origin or veteran status.
She had seen many immigrants whose ignorance of the law hampered their
chances for success. She became determined to master the laws of her adopted country and help people grappling with problems similar to the ones her
family had experienced on its arrival. She graduated from Thomas L. Cooley
School of Law in 2007 and soon landed her first job - at CODA.
Ironically, her experiences at CODA have shown her those born in this country can be as equally in-the-dark regarding their legal rights as people from
other countries. Consequently, she now sees her mission as bringing her legal
knowledge to people of all backgrounds.
Domestic violence was new to Olesya and, as she delved into her work, she
found the experiences endured by some of her clients, “shocking.” In contrast, she considers herself “extremely lucky” and grateful for the sacrifices
made by her parents for the “infinitely greater opportunities” she has in the
United States. She includes also in her good fortune the mentoring of court
advocate, Chris, and coordinator of victim services, Denise, as she masters
the legal nuances of criminal domestic violence. “I am blessed to have them,”
says Olesya.
When asked whether she believes her work makes a difference in the lives
of CODA’s clients, Olesya enthusiastically replies in the affirmative. But, she
believes her contribution involves more than legal assistance.
“The clients say, ‘You’re so young, you’re so little!’ They are surprised I am
in this position. I can tell them, ‘I was an immigrant. I arrived here with no
English, yet I am now an attorney.’ Anyone can change her life. I am an
example of that.”
Page 3
Volunteers - from cover
Kathya
Kathya admits she has always enjoyed giving back through volunteering. Despite a full-time job and night classes, she found time
in her last home, Kansas City, to work with the elderly. She is
currently a full-time student at USCB where she majors in psychology and Spanish. Although others might have found raising two
children and working toward a degree sufficient challenge, Kathya
again wanted to include volunteering in her busy schedule.
A friend and CODA Volunteer, Claudia, who has done extensive
translation of CODA literature, suggested that Kathya and CODA
might be a good fit. Her willingness to help on the spur of the moment at any job required has made Kathya a wonderful asset for
Kathya helps prepare CODA’s annual report.
everyone at CODA.
Cynthia
A Boston native with roots in the lowcountry, Cynthia arrives at CODA at least once
a week to “help where my help is needed.” CODA’s mission is especially meaningful
to her as she is a survivor of domestic violence.
She enjoys taking clients and children (who often arrive with just the clothes on their
backs) shopping at her favorite stores - Goodwill and the Salvation Army. A walking
advertisement for the great outfits someone with style and a limited budget can put
together, Cynthia is a genius at making something out of nothing. One child admiringly confided recently, “You look like you just came from Hollywood!”
After a grocery run.
Cynthia shares her knowledge and skills, advising, “no matter your income, you
don’t have to look financially deprived.” Tips from her “Dress for Success” workshop
are especially helpful as clients prepare job interview outfits.
Clara
A St. Helena native, Clara raised her family in Maryland. There she began volunteering at a
domestic violence shelter. “My heart went out to them - especially the children.”
When she and her husband returned to the lowcountry as retirees, she discovered CODA.
She “loves” what CODA accomplishes and cites how inspiring she finds the commitment of
case manager, Betsy, and the energy of housekeeper, Tammy. A true self-starter, Clara enjoys
interacting with residents or tackling anything she sees that “needs doing.”
Clara is the mother of Tiffany, CODA’s volunteer coordinator who, according to her mom,
began her philanthropic career at an early age making Halloween bags for the children with
Unloading CODA’s van.
whom Clara worked at the shelter in Maryland.
The joy Clara finds in her volunteering is evident in her voice as she says, “Life wasn’t always easy, but we made it.
If I can help and see just one client succeed, to go on and be able to care for her children and say, ‘I’m doing well,’
that’s worth everything to me.”
See page 4 -Volunteers
Page 4
Volunteers - from page 3
Judy
CODA has a pro in Judy. A former 911 telecommunications safety officer in New Jersey,
Judy fielded numerous domestic violence calls in the course of her career. At CODA,
her “first love” is answering CODA’s crisis line where her calm professional manner puts
callers at ease.
Her affinity to CODA and its clients stems in part from witnessing domestic violence as a
child. She also serves on CODA’s board of directors and is active soliciting auction items
for CODA’s annual fundraiser.
Nina
Judy manages the crisis line.
While serving briefly as a member of CODA’s board of directors, Nina realized she wanted a more “hands-on” immersion and traded her director’s chair for one in the busy case manager’s office. Now fully immersed, she answers
the crisis line, interacts with residents and assists with tasks as diverse as researching potential housing for departing
clients to transporting residents to appointments. She thrives on the new, sometimes bizarre, challenges each day
brings as her dry wit and pragmatic attitude enable her to bond with staff and clients alike.
Nina chose CODA as a place to donate her time and talent because she believes the organization achieves “concrete
good” as it treats the whole person and helps clients achieve fresh starts in their lives.
Susan
Susan enjoys interacting with CODA’s clients and their children, “being a tiny
part of helping them on their journey.” Having taught at both high school
and college levels in Massachusetts, Susan enjoys CODA’s younger group of
children who she finds “purely delightful.”
“They have given me a real glimpse of what living with domestic violence is
all about. I have learned a lot from them and from Larkin (CODA’s children’s
counselor). It’s wonderful seeing how she works with them.”
Volunteers Nina and Susan flank case
manager, Betsy.
Join this great group! Become a CODA volunteer! 770-1074x224
island Time
CODA held its annual staff retreat at Hunting Island in August. In addition to sun, surf, a cookout and every fly
in North America, the day included creative team-building exercises led by Jim Glasson (far right), of USCB, followed by a surprisingly cohesive drumming session directed by Fred Leyda (second from left), of COSY.
Page 5
An Afternoon to Remember at Faces
FACES DaySpa, located in The Village at Wexford in Hilton Head, closed their doors on an afternoon in late spring and
invited CODA’s clients to partake of the spa’s services. In serene, private rooms infused with the scents of aromatherapy
candles, spa employees treated the women to facials, massages and other pleasures. Many had never experienced such
indulgence. To further encourage the relaxing atmosphere, the spa contacted The Sandbox, an interactive children’s
museum, which provided activities for the clients’ children.
According to FACES’ manager, Jennifer Brewer, FACES wanted to have volunteering and giving become part of the organization’s corporate culture.
Employees were asked to submit ideas of who to help, and CODA was the
overwhelming choice. FACES’ staff wished to create a day where the clients
would feel pampered and safe and be assured that their identities would be
protected. They succeeded beautifully. Many thanks to all at FACES!
Brochures Publicize CODA’s Services
Over the years, CODA’s literature has been added to by different staffers as the need arose. The information has been
recently re-organized, re-written and re-designed and now flaunts a thematically consistent appearance making it
readily identifiable on display racks.
Court children S S !
Advocacy
CODA
Supporting VictimS of
DomeStic Violence
and domestic Violence
afe
P ermanence
Are you a victim of domestic violence?
Do you know your legal rights?
tay
“You’re hurting me too...”
S egura !
CODA CODA CODA
supporting victims of domestic violence
supporting victims of domestic violence
supporting victims of domestic violence
ayudando a las victimasde
violencia domestica
CODA
AyudAndo A lAs VictimAs
de ViolenciA domesticA
Recent grants have enabled CODA to print large quantities of five new brochures
so they can be dispersed liberally throughout the four counties CODA serves. If
you know of a location you believe this information should be displayed, please
call 770-1074x225 or write [email protected].
No Trespassing
SC Governor, Mark Sanford, signed a bill August 13 that will make it a high misdemeanor for the subject of an order
of protection or no contact order to trespass on the grounds of a domestic violence shelter. If the subject carries a
weapon, the crime will escalate to a felony.
Gift of Opportunity
In early summer, local resident, Jacqueline Rosen, donated a 1993 Oldsmobile with the stipulation that it go to a client whose life would be positively impacted by the vehicle. CODA’s staff prepared a list of clients who had the need,
a valid driver’s license and whose employment status would ensure they could maintain the vehicle.
The clients’ names were put in a drawing and the fortunate recipient was a
woman who had undergone years of abuse before striking out on her own.
Her job as a home health aide requires reliable transportation as she travels
from patient to patient. As her photo testifies, she was thrilled with her new
vehicle as were her five children. Many thanks to Mrs. Rosen for her pragmatic, life-altering gift.
Angels - from cover
With each successive venture, the angels are learning to better navigate the hazards of such logistically complex generosity.
Transportation of goods remains a challenge and storage space is a top priority.
In the interim, however, these women are doing their best to empower survivors of domestic violence and encourage
them through love and example.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Beaufort, SC
CODA
P. O. Box 1775
Beaufort, SC 29901-1775
Permit No. 24
Offices:
(843) 770-1074
Fax: (843) 770-1084
Crisis Line: (843) 770-1070
(800) 868-2832
E-mail: [email protected]
www.codalowcountry.org
Please send us your e-mail address so we
may deliver your copy of this newsletter
to you on-line. Thank you for your help.
Please e-mail info to:
[email protected]
Surprise!
O ctober is D omestic V iolence A wareness M onth .
2008 Candlelight Vigils
Beaufort: October 2nd at 5:30 p.m.
Henry Chambers Waterfront Park
Beaufort
Bluffton/Hilton Head: October 30th at 5:30 p.m.
Jarvis Creek Park
Hilton Head
Check codalowcountry.org for vigil updates and
info on Jasper and Hampton commemorations.
The SC Bar Foundation donated an
attractive literature display rack just
as CODA’s new brochures were rolling off the press! The unexpected
gift now adds appeal and interest to
the waiting area. Thank you, SC Bar
Foundation!
Please join us for a celebration of song, courage and
hope to commemorate those who have survived domestic violence in their lives and those who have not.
Domestic V iolence: It’s
everybody ’ s business .
Please bring old cell phones to the vigils for recycling.