Welcome to the second edition of "The
Center Now" newsletter. We were thrilled
with the response to our first edition. Over
200 people read or forwarded "The Center
Now." We appreciate you taking the time to keep
yourself informed and connected to The Center.
Also be sure to check out our Facebook and Myspace
pages.
Once again Domestic
Violence has been a hot topic due to the much
publized incident between pop stars
Rhianna and Chris Brown. It has been
interesting to read and hear all the various
opinions and responses that have surfaced. I
think Oprah summarized it best by expressing that
love shouldn't hurt and the reality is that once a
partner chooses violence they are more likely then
not to choose violence again and again. I hope
this can be a wake up call to all of us. If
you think or suspect that someone you know may be
involved in an abusive or violent relationship
call The Center today and share your concerns with
a counselor. Most of our clients are
receiving help because a friend or family member
got them connected to us. Your phone call
can change a life.
April is Sexual
Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). For many of
us when we think about sexual assault we think
about stranger rape. Although this type of
sexual assault occurs, most cases of sexual
assault occur between individuals who know each
other - the prevelenace
of date rape is a primary
example. Click on the information below to
learn more about ways you can support sexual
assault survivors. If you really want to
challenge yourself and find out how you define
rape take the "Is it
Rape or Consensual Sex" poll. To further
enhance this experience take the challenge with
your friends, family or co-workers. Results
will be posted in the April issue of "TheCenter
Now".
As part of SAAM
we are also gearing up for
our annual Community March to Stop Rape on April
25. Last year over 100 people marched
down Main Street in Placerville with teams
from local business, community organizations
and schools to take a stand against
sexual violence.
When
1 out of 4 women and 1 out of 7 men
wil be victims of sexual assault in their
lifetime, it is imperative that we do all we
can. Below is more information on
how you can get involved.
Thank you for your continued
support - working together we can
continue to make a
difference!
Peace,
Matt Matt
Huckabay
Executive
Director
|
| April is Sexual Assault
Awareness Month - Join the Community March To Stop
Rape 4/25 |
 Join us for the 7th annual
Community March To Stop Rape on Saturday,
April 25, 2009 starting at Town Hall,
Placerville.
Recruit a team, collect pledges and Walk A
Mile to help end sexual violence in our
community. Particpation includes team sign,
team photos, prevention education, coffee and
breakfast goodies. Click here for Event
Flyer and Team Pledge Form.
Event sponsorship opportunities are also
available...please call 530-626-1450 ext. 205 or
email Kelly Plag for more
information and how to get involved in this
important community event.
|
|
The Center's Sexual Assault
Services |
The
center helps both male a female survivors of
sexual abuse as well as their friends and family
members. Most of the sexual assault
clients at The Center come because of an assault
that occurred earlier in their lives - last year,
many years ago, or in their childhood.
Frequently, when you are sexually assaulted, you
just want to forget it ever happened.
Unfortunately, the assault will often continue to
affect you. If you would like assistance,
the Center can help you with the following
services:
Crisis
Intervention
Advocate/Counselors are
available anytime to help with an immediate crisis
- just call the 24-hour number (626-1131 or
916/939-6616). Our Advocates are a part of
the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) that will
respond to a call from the hospital or law
enforcement when there has been a recent rape or
sexual assault. Legal assistance and shelter
are also available.
In-person counseling
You
can either call (626-1131 or 916/939-6616) and
make an appointment, or you can just drop in at
the office (344 Placerville Dr., Suite 11,
Placerville). In-person counseling also is
available at a few other locations.
Phone Counseling
Some
survivors find it easier to talk on the phone
rather than face-to-face. You can call the
24-hour line anytime (626-1131 or
916/939-6616). You can also schedule phone
appointments and have regular contact with the
same counselor every week over the
phone.
Group
Closed groups with
the same group members each week are
available. To get into a group, you
would need to come into the office and talk to a
counselor. New groups are started
periodically.
|
| How You Can Help a Sexual
Assault Survivor |
- Believe your loved one's experience
- Do not blame or judge the survivor
- Understand the survivor needs to be in
control of the healing process
- Be supportive, but not overprotective
- Do not pry about the details of the sexual
assault
- Do not threaten revenge or violence against
the assailant
- Remind the survivor often that you care
about her/him
- Just listen-let your friend vent and don't
try to have answers for everything.
- Give the survivor time - don't tell him/her
to just get over it or not think about it
- Support the survivor's decisions
- With the survivor's permission, help find
other people who can help
- Acknowledge your own feelings about blame
and sexual assault and take care of yourself -
Get help at The Center...call the
24/7 crisis line 530-626-1131 or
916-939-6616 |
| GO FOR THE GOLD! |
|
The Center is thrilled to announce that
Goldsmith Gallery in Placerville is hosting a
gold buying party on Monday, May 11. This
is a golden opportunity to turn your
gold into cash for you...and have the opportunity
to donate to the Center.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR MAY 11! and start
gathering up your gold... the single
earrings, broken chains, pieces with missing
stones, and gold you just don't wear
anymore.
For more information on this event, please
call Kelly Plag at 530-626-1450 or 916-939-4464
ext. 205. |
| Silver Lining Gift
Club |
|
The Center is offering a special membership
program for you to make a difference in
the lives of the those dealing with
violence.
Like so many of you, The Center certainly has
felt the impact of these challenging economic
times. For many years, our family of
supporters have been incredibly generous and
we know that desire to continue to support us is
stronger now, because you understand that when
times get tough and less money is available, the
need for The Center's services increases.
With this in mind, The Center has
developed the Silver Lining Gift Club, as a way
for you to continue your support with minimal
impact to your budget. The Silver
Lining Club was successfully launched to our 400
guests attending the 25th Silver Auction Gala
in November, 2008.
For just $25 a month (less than a dollar a
day) you can provide a silver lining of hope to
victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault. Your monthly contribution will help
us to continue to provide safe shelter,
food and vital needs for our
clients and their children.
We are pleased to welcome new Silver
Lining Gift Club members Judy Vonada and Maureen
Fried!
Click on the Donate Now
button and join today. Join today and save a
life tomorrow!
| |
|
The Center for Violence-free
Relationships is dedicated to building healthy
relationships, families and communities free from
sexual assault and domestic violence through
education, advocacy, and services in western El
Dorado County.
The Center is a nonprofit 501(c)3
organization. All contributions are tax
deductible and vital to continue our
services.
| | |
| Support The
Center |
|
Thanks to your
contributions:
The Center has....
provided 25,000
counseling sessions, provided over
37,000 shelter nights and
answered nearly 60,000 calls to
our crisis line from victims of sexual assault and
domestic violence since
1985. |
|
VOLUNTEER
SURVEY!
If you have ever volunteered
for The Center or would like to
volunteer for The Center - we need your
feedback!
Please take a few minutes to
answer 10 short questions - we are planning
our next volunteer training and your input is
valuable.
Thank you!
|
|
CENTER'S CALENDAR
April - Sexual
Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
April 25 -
Community March to Stop Rape
May 11 - Go For
The Gold event - turn in your gold for cash
and benefit The Center!
July 25 -
Starbuck's Walk A Thon
September 12 -
Kacie's Ride for Hope
October -Domestic
Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)
November 7 - 26th
Annual Auction Gala
For more information on these events
contact Kelly Plag, Director of Community
Affairs
_________________________
CENTER'S SUPPORT
GROUPS
Domestic Violence Support
and Education Groups: Tuesdays 5:30-7:30
pm and Wednesdays 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - FREE,
drop in
AMAC - Adults
Molested As Children Support Group
CAP - Women's
Changing Abusive Patterns
Peace First -
Men's Workshops on Improving Relationships
MAAP - Men's
Alternative to Abusive Patterns (English and
Spanish)
For more information on
these groups call 530-626-1131
or
916-939-6616 |
| Support The
Center |
|
| |
