Bad news.
No, not about the fax (scanner & software) shutting down.
We got the call.
Yesterday's lady. -- She went back to her husband.
Somehow, the fax machine that stopped working and having a board meeting tonight doesn't seem as bothersome anymore... :-(
Tonight, when you go to sleep, please say a prayer for the victims who feel forced to go back to a bad situation because of a bad situation. And God, please help us as we try to do what we can for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. It's not easy and we always need Your help.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Not tonight dear! Can I have a headache?
Tonight's the Board Meeting!?!?
How could I forget the board meeting????
Hmmmm. How?
I have to get the reports ready then fax (actually a scanner & software) &/or email them (and a reminder) to the board members, drop off the brochures, meet my husband for lunch, (LUNCH?!?!?) and check on the lady from yesterday.
Oh yeah. The copier. I have to call about the copier.
Then the email has to be answered, the eBay store checked and a couple of phone calls returned and a page on the website updated.
And then smile for the board meeting.
A headache would be easier.
How could I forget the board meeting????
Hmmmm. How?
I have to get the reports ready then fax (actually a scanner & software) &/or email them (and a reminder) to the board members, drop off the brochures, meet my husband for lunch, (LUNCH?!?!?) and check on the lady from yesterday.
Oh yeah. The copier. I have to call about the copier.
Then the email has to be answered, the eBay store checked and a couple of phone calls returned and a page on the website updated.
And then smile for the board meeting.
A headache would be easier.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Sunday - at the office again...
Ahhhh. A day of rest!
NOT!
This morning I got a call from another agency. They're great at helping abused kids but not so great at abused adults but since she has kids and would we help find another place?
Three hours spent calling, searching, begging for a shelter spot for a mom plus four. No luck. She's going to stay where she is for now (which is good because there's really nothing else).
Wait!
A phone call back. The shelter two counties over is making space. They can take the family! Yessss!! My heart soars!!
Conversation with the counselor at the shelter where the victim is:
"Two counties over?"
"Yes!" (I say excitedly. Isn't that great? After all, that's supposed to be great isn't it???)
"Ummmmm. (Pause) How is she going to get her kids to school? File for a protective order? Find a job? If she's two counties away? Can't you keep looking and find something else???????"
Then reality hits.
Me: "How about getting the order then placing the kids in the school near the shelter? After all, HE doesn't know where it is and will be less likely to find her."
Counselor with Victim in the background: "Yes but you're cutting the oldest children off from the only stability they've known. She isn't willing to do that."
Me: "This is the only shelter with space avaialble now. I've searched for 3 hours."
Counselor: "She can't go that far. She has a life. Find another shelter."
Me: "This is the only shelter with space available now."
Counselor: "Really. Her car won't make it. Do you know a mechanic? She can't do this."
Me: "This is the only shelter with space available."
Counselor: "We'll keep her here and make it work as long as we can."
My heart sinks. My gut wrenches.
I fear I know what choice the mom is going to make.
Can anyone blame her? Can anyone not blame her?
More important: Will anyone hear her when she screams?
NOT!
This morning I got a call from another agency. They're great at helping abused kids but not so great at abused adults but since she has kids and would we help find another place?
Three hours spent calling, searching, begging for a shelter spot for a mom plus four. No luck. She's going to stay where she is for now (which is good because there's really nothing else).
Wait!
A phone call back. The shelter two counties over is making space. They can take the family! Yessss!! My heart soars!!
Conversation with the counselor at the shelter where the victim is:
"Two counties over?"
"Yes!" (I say excitedly. Isn't that great? After all, that's supposed to be great isn't it???)
"Ummmmm. (Pause) How is she going to get her kids to school? File for a protective order? Find a job? If she's two counties away? Can't you keep looking and find something else???????"
Then reality hits.
Me: "How about getting the order then placing the kids in the school near the shelter? After all, HE doesn't know where it is and will be less likely to find her."
Counselor with Victim in the background: "Yes but you're cutting the oldest children off from the only stability they've known. She isn't willing to do that."
Me: "This is the only shelter with space avaialble now. I've searched for 3 hours."
Counselor: "She can't go that far. She has a life. Find another shelter."
Me: "This is the only shelter with space available now."
Counselor: "Really. Her car won't make it. Do you know a mechanic? She can't do this."
Me: "This is the only shelter with space available."
Counselor: "We'll keep her here and make it work as long as we can."
My heart sinks. My gut wrenches.
I fear I know what choice the mom is going to make.
Can anyone blame her? Can anyone not blame her?
More important: Will anyone hear her when she screams?
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Saturday's At the Office
Saturday is a day off right?
WRONG!
The brochures need to be bundled, eBay items dropped, fax machine fixed and I still need to call copier repair and our volunteer can't come.
Sigh.
Maybe tomorrow...
C-ya online,
Gayle
WRONG!
The brochures need to be bundled, eBay items dropped, fax machine fixed and I still need to call copier repair and our volunteer can't come.
Sigh.
Maybe tomorrow...
C-ya online,
Gayle
Friday, February 25, 2005
Meetings and Speakings
Akkkkkkkkkk!
Ever had one of those days when you need an extra pair of hands? This is one of THOSE!!!
Too much to do! The print shop called. Our brochures are ready. This is good. We have to deliver 100 on Monday. There are 12 in the box.
Problem is:
#1, the shop is 20 miles away.
#2,I have to pick up clothes that someone wants to donate. This is another 15 miles away - opposite direction.
#3, Someone's coming at 10:00 am.
#4, Phone calls are waiting to be returned from yesterday.
#5, My email needs to be checked.
#6, It's only 8:45 AM!
#7, My kids missed the bus - again and I need to call someone to work on the donated copier, check eBay items and I need to visit Wal-Mart in hopes that they have teal ribbon (Either direction.)
and I need to...
Breathe. Do it again. Breathe. and GO!!!
Ever had one of those days when you need an extra pair of hands? This is one of THOSE!!!
Too much to do! The print shop called. Our brochures are ready. This is good. We have to deliver 100 on Monday. There are 12 in the box.
Problem is:
#1, the shop is 20 miles away.
#2,I have to pick up clothes that someone wants to donate. This is another 15 miles away - opposite direction.
#3, Someone's coming at 10:00 am.
#4, Phone calls are waiting to be returned from yesterday.
#5, My email needs to be checked.
#6, It's only 8:45 AM!
#7, My kids missed the bus - again and I need to call someone to work on the donated copier, check eBay items and I need to visit Wal-Mart in hopes that they have teal ribbon (Either direction.)
and I need to...
Breathe. Do it again. Breathe. and GO!!!
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Ring! Ring!
Today has been what I call a "telephone day". We've taken 2 calls already today from people needing information about domestic violence plus I have a meeting this morning. Thank goodness for call forwarding! I can take the phone with me.
A news story broke locally last night about a couple. It was a murder-suicide. Domestic violence was in the history of this sad story from beginning to end. The only good thing to come of it is the people who read the story and then get the courage to get the help they need.
No one ever deserves to be abused.
No one ever deserves to be killed because of domestic violence.
If someone in your life makes you feel afraid call a hotline and get help now.
No one deserves to be hurt.
Ever.
Gotta run,
C-ya online.
A news story broke locally last night about a couple. It was a murder-suicide. Domestic violence was in the history of this sad story from beginning to end. The only good thing to come of it is the people who read the story and then get the courage to get the help they need.
No one ever deserves to be abused.
No one ever deserves to be killed because of domestic violence.
If someone in your life makes you feel afraid call a hotline and get help now.
No one deserves to be hurt.
Ever.
Gotta run,
C-ya online.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Still catching up...
Yes! The thank you notes are finished and are now in the hands of the United States Postal Service. Now, to hope I've not forgotten anyone! That's always my fear.
See, everything someone does for us (or probably for any non-profit organziation) is always appreciated. From the person who donating used ink jet cartridges to the person who promises to show up to help and then forgets. (At least we know we were thought about when the promise was made!!) We're glad you are willing to help and we always need you!
After the "TY's" I have to work on our business plan for tomorrow's meeting.
One of the issues with any non-profit is money. Here, no one gets paid but we have a real need for paid staff. To help, we're looking at opening a Thrift Shop and expanding our eBay store - relatively uncharted turf for Sexual Assault Organizations.
Thankfully, the good people at SCORE still give free advice. We meet tomorrow.
I'm excited, but there's a TON of work to do.
C-ya online!
Gayle
See, everything someone does for us (or probably for any non-profit organziation) is always appreciated. From the person who donating used ink jet cartridges to the person who promises to show up to help and then forgets. (At least we know we were thought about when the promise was made!!) We're glad you are willing to help and we always need you!
After the "TY's" I have to work on our business plan for tomorrow's meeting.
One of the issues with any non-profit is money. Here, no one gets paid but we have a real need for paid staff. To help, we're looking at opening a Thrift Shop and expanding our eBay store - relatively uncharted turf for Sexual Assault Organizations.
Thankfully, the good people at SCORE still give free advice. We meet tomorrow.
I'm excited, but there's a TON of work to do.
C-ya online!
Gayle
President's Day, Still at Work
Today, I dropped off a monitor we sold on eBay, went to a meeting to network with another organization (and in so doing put 108 miles on my car), answered some email, typed out a thank you note, took some paperwork to be notarized and updated a file on one of our groups.
Not a bad day's work for a Holiday.
See you online,
Gayle
Not a bad day's work for a Holiday.
See you online,
Gayle
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Weekend Blessings & Stats
A hearty thank-you goes out to South Knoxville Church of the Nazarene for remembering us after their yard sale. After a full day in the office, a team of volunteers and I navigated through Knoxville and finally arrived to pick up "a few things" that were left over from the sale. This filled my mini-van and another trip will have to be made!
In addition to our eBay store and live auctions, our business plan includes monthly yard sales to gather opening funds for a thrift shop. Look for the Secondhand Hope Thrift Shop to be open by late June. We will have a voucher program to provide free items for victims of sexual & domestic violence and are confident the shop will generate enough funding through sales to provide needed funds for Hope for Healing.Org.
Again, many thanks for helping our ministry to happen!
Other projects I'm working on from home this weekend include answering email, tweaking online activities, blogging and fixing a broken link in the website - among other things! :-)
See you online,
Gayle
Offline Stats this week:
*5 crisis calls *1 prayer journal given * 11 brochures distributed * 1 education event scheduled *2 eBay items shipped with abuse information enclosed
In addition to our eBay store and live auctions, our business plan includes monthly yard sales to gather opening funds for a thrift shop. Look for the Secondhand Hope Thrift Shop to be open by late June. We will have a voucher program to provide free items for victims of sexual & domestic violence and are confident the shop will generate enough funding through sales to provide needed funds for Hope for Healing.Org.
Again, many thanks for helping our ministry to happen!
Other projects I'm working on from home this weekend include answering email, tweaking online activities, blogging and fixing a broken link in the website - among other things! :-)
See you online,
Gayle
Offline Stats this week:
*5 crisis calls *1 prayer journal given * 11 brochures distributed * 1 education event scheduled *2 eBay items shipped with abuse information enclosed
Saturday, February 19, 2005
First Post
Hi,
This is where I hope to be able to give you a taste of what it is like to serve victims of sexual and domestic violence. It's a rewarding trip that will take you from nightmarish depths to fairy tale endings. I invite you to share with me as we embark on this journey together.
First, let me begin by telling you a little about myself.
My name is Gayle. I'm the founder and unpaid (as of this date) Executive Director for Hope for Healing.org. We've been online since 1996 and officially incorporated & received our 501c3 in 2002.
When not online or working with someone part of my time is taken up with fundraising. This is the bane of any ED's existence. It's not what we want to be doing but somehow the phone bill must be paid.
Fortunately, I have a wonderfully supportive husband and 2 daughters who help a lot and an amazing group of volunteers. Without them, Hope for Healing.org would be impossible! But it is possible and rewarding and sometimes even fun! I'd be completely lost without them.
Two others make our family complete. I'd be remiss (and in lot of trouble with my daughters) if I didn't mention our dogs. They stand ferocious guard over our lives and keep us safe from birds, rabbits and butterflies. The rest of the time, they tolerate our presence and allow us to pet them - which they both feel needs to be done constantly and to which we happily oblige.
Something else that I've done is conceive and mandate usage of the term "trigger warning" (TW for short) in all of my associated groups and chats since 1997. If you've been in the r--e recovery / survivors groups on Yahoo or the R--e Recovery Forum on Delphi, then you've seen it in use. I came up with it as a way for survivors to keep each other safe. We didn't have any other place to process. You may see it scattered throughout this blog as well.
Through the blog, I hope not to bore you with dribble about my family but to share with you the ups and downs of serving others whether they be friends, family or survivors.
I look forward to traveling with you on the journey.
This is where I hope to be able to give you a taste of what it is like to serve victims of sexual and domestic violence. It's a rewarding trip that will take you from nightmarish depths to fairy tale endings. I invite you to share with me as we embark on this journey together.
First, let me begin by telling you a little about myself.
My name is Gayle. I'm the founder and unpaid (as of this date) Executive Director for Hope for Healing.org. We've been online since 1996 and officially incorporated & received our 501c3 in 2002.
When not online or working with someone part of my time is taken up with fundraising. This is the bane of any ED's existence. It's not what we want to be doing but somehow the phone bill must be paid.
Fortunately, I have a wonderfully supportive husband and 2 daughters who help a lot and an amazing group of volunteers. Without them, Hope for Healing.org would be impossible! But it is possible and rewarding and sometimes even fun! I'd be completely lost without them.
Two others make our family complete. I'd be remiss (and in lot of trouble with my daughters) if I didn't mention our dogs. They stand ferocious guard over our lives and keep us safe from birds, rabbits and butterflies. The rest of the time, they tolerate our presence and allow us to pet them - which they both feel needs to be done constantly and to which we happily oblige.
Something else that I've done is conceive and mandate usage of the term "trigger warning" (TW for short) in all of my associated groups and chats since 1997. If you've been in the r--e recovery / survivors groups on Yahoo or the R--e Recovery Forum on Delphi, then you've seen it in use. I came up with it as a way for survivors to keep each other safe. We didn't have any other place to process. You may see it scattered throughout this blog as well.
Through the blog, I hope not to bore you with dribble about my family but to share with you the ups and downs of serving others whether they be friends, family or survivors.
I look forward to traveling with you on the journey.
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