Meetings and Egg Hunts

Today's meeting with a local pastor went well. He seemed interested in Hope for Healing.org and how we can work together to help meet local needs. I was impressed with his sense of community. It gives me a lot of hope that the Community Meeting is going to go well next month!

We also got word that some of the folks we help will be at the Egg Hunt Saturday at the church. It will be great to see the kids relaxing and having a good time! Let's hope they get lots of eggs and go home on sugar overload. That's what it's supposed to mean to be a kid at an egg hunt. My prayer is that this will be a couple of hours away from the pressure they usually face.

Speaking of which, I'd better go stuff a few more eggs!

Smooth sailing.

Took phone calls for information. Made an appointment for later this week and confirmed another. Listed items on eBay and such. All in all, today and yesterday have been pretty smooth days. I like days like this. May we all have more of them! :)

Email, email, email

Today I spent the day answering email, phone calls, updating the website and answering eamil. It was not a good day to find out my spam filter has been overactive. If you've emailed me and haven't heard from me please try it again. C-ya online, Gayle

Sat. Whew!

Whew! The meeting w/the board member went great! That's such a relief. I don't know why I worry I just always do. :-)

I have spent some time reviewing email and trying to get the rough draft of the newsletter to our volunteer. We took a phone call this morning and while the person did leave a message requesting a call back I could not make out the last 2 digits of the number on the message. If the one who phoned reads this message, please call back and leave your number again or email it to me at gayle@hopeforhealing.org.

Good news: I also talked with a pastor this morning & invited him to our steering meeting on April 28. He responded favorably (YES!) so hopefully he'll come & bring delegates. It is always encouraging to talk with a pastor who is supportive. They often don't receive training in dealing w/sexual & domestic violence. If we can help them understand the thoughts and feelings that we go through as survivors it will positively impact the lives of other victims.

The steering committee meeting a start in that direction.

Nationally, people are talking about the outcome of the Scott Peterson case and the finding of the body of the 9 year old Florida girl, Jessica. There is too much violence in the world. My heartfelt sympathy goes to all the families involved in these cases.

If you are a survivor who needs support please get it. You deserve to live your life free from violence. To the survivors who have had the courage to break out of the cycle or to take the steps to overcome sexual assault, I just want to say I am proud of each and every one of you!!

C-ya online,

Gayle

It's Finally Friday!

Yea!

Today I had a great meeting with a local pastor. It didn't originally start out to be about Hope for Healing but it wound up that way fast! I can't give out too many of the details. Let's just say it has to do with our Mission Fish store and women. We'll make a better announcement at the end of next month - if we can get the insurance situation worked out.

Our copier jammed again today too. Looks like I'll have to call the copier guy back out. Then there's the insurance issue, phone calls and the email...

I also phoned several area pastors about coming to our community meeting next month. Some were in some weren't - but at least a couple of secretaries are excited about helping us. That's a start! We'll get back in touch with the pastors next week and follow-up with visits.

And, we have a lead on a grant for which we're going to apply. Cross your fingers again! We can really use this. If we get it, this will enable us to provide training for area clergy. They need to know how to deal with DV & Sexual Assault within thier congregations. We can provide training. In fact, last April, we offered 2 area trainings for clergy.

Oh, and I have a meeting with a board member this evening. I'll keep you posted on that too.

Just think, I had someone ask me this morning what it is I do all day. Imagine!

Take care!

C-ya online,

Gayle

Thursday...

Another day another email, or so it seems.

Without online help on our groups from Alana, an online volunteer, I don't know what I'd do. She does a lot of the monitoring of posts and answering questions. The Scott Peterson verdict was announced today. Another email came in asking for me to help find a local shelter. We also received a request from a female soldier in the US Navy who is trying to put together resources for the Carrier's library.

We are glad to be able to help in both cases.

Bad News:
There's been a slight snag in the thrift shop plans. I knew we'd need insurance but I didn't know how much trouble we'd have finding it. Many places don't seem to cover non-profits. There is one agency willing to help us find something. Keep your fingers crossed that we can get coverage! Keep your toes crossed and say a prayer that when we do find it we can afford it. That's the other half of the battle.

Still, we're in the fight and compared to what some women face daily, we're not going to complain.

C-ya online,

Gayle

Dark Thursday...

My heart is heavy as I write this. A dear friend passed away early this morning. She will be very sorely missed...

I'm sorry. I just can't write today. :-(

Follow Up Note:
The Prayer Journaling Class scheduled in Knoxville and this am's meeting have been temporarily postponed. Thank you for understanding...

Wednesday Wow!

We are so lucky! A woman stopped by today bringing several bags and a box of clothing. Most of these contain children's things. I can't wait to look through them. First dibs are always offered to the area shelter. Then, what they don't need will either be held for when we open the thrift shop or offered on our eBay site.

Hopefully soon, we'll be able to make a major announcement with regards to the eBay/Mission Fish store. This is one of the many offline activites we have going on around here.

We're also working hard to pull the churches and community leaders in our area together to help us help victims better and we're networking with an organization in the next county, Stepping Out Ministries, to reach even more people - look for us to offer a joint prayer journaling workshop with them at the end of April!

It's a win-win-win situation but a lot of work so I'd better get back to it!

C-ya online,

Gayle

Wednesday...

Ok. Today is BUSY! I'm going out of town tomorrow and a million +1 things have to be done.

So far, besides checking the email, I've called the school to see about using their gym or cafeteria for a yard sale only to find out we need insurance. Now, to call for quotes. I'm really excited about this and am hoping we can combine the yard sale with the car care clinic! Cross your fingers!!

Tomorrow evening will be hectic but fun. I was asked to bring snacks for a meeting this evening in Sevierville but I have to leave early to go teach a prayer journaling workshop in South Knoxville, then back to Sevierville for the rest of the weekend. We'll have the phone calls forwarded.

I'm really looking forward to the workshop and the meetings. Hopefully, my lungs will be able to hold up. My inhaler is really coming in handy!

See ya online,

Gayle

Tuesday...

With all the online things we do at Hope for Healing.org it's easy for the outside observer to forget the offline activities.

We're still be collecting squares for the Hope Quilt and we're making strides in opening a thrift shop that we talked about earlier. Today, I'm catching up from the weekend's email & working on some offline programs.

By now, you know about the shooting and escape (and subsequent capture) by a fugitive in Atlanta. Our heart goes out to the families of the victims shot but also to the victim he originally (allegedly) hurt. We offer our sympathy and prayers to all involved and praises that one woman could make such a difference.

To the woman who was able to keep calm, talk to the assailant and call 911, you have our deep respect and gratitude. Thank you for being a beacon of light to all who have been victimized. Your calmness in the face of horror helps bring hope to us all.

In a glimpse of the good that can arise from a horrible situation, so far, we have received two emails from people wanting to find support for the first time and one email from the family member of a survivor of sexual assault. It's a priviledge to be able to help you find the resources.

We're sorry this happens but we are glad to be here to help.

C-ya online,

Gayle
The phone's been easy. The listings have been checked and I've started on the newsletter. There's a Minister's and Pastor's Spouses Meeting with Lunch provided in an hour. And, I get to see my husband. I'm starting to not feel well with my asthma but I'm not complaining. Some days, you get lucky.

Thank you

Thank you for your patience. It was a rough weekend. I'm battling asthma and still sad over my cousin's passing but am getting back into the swing of things.

C-ya online soon,

Gayle

Monday morning...

Monday morning.

Not much time to blog. I'll be out of town much this week and have a ton of things to do.

Today I have to:
Schedule Yard Sale
Call a company about my activity for the weekend (I'm speaking to a ladies group of about 100)
Drop computer monitors sold on eBay over the weekend.
P/U items for a yard sale - she's been waiting on me.
Confirm tomorrow's p/up at a church.
Buy brownie mix for Thursday evening's meeting (My turn for snacks.)
Cancel my appearance at Thursday morning's meeting because of a conflict.
Copy flyers.
Return 2 phone calls.
Check email and do what I can for anyone who needs help.
Lunch.
Pick up my kids so they can help pick up clothes.
Finish anything that I didn't get to on the above list.
And there's always answering the phone, helping people who come in, answering questions, and working on the website.

Already this morning Joe, a volunteer here, stopped by to bring back the laminator that didn't work. He took it home over Sunday (where is a teen when you need one?) and fixed it - at least temporarily. So now, we have 2 laminators and he feels good for helping!

This is going to be a good - if busy -day. I can already tell! :-)

C-ya online,

Gayle

Is there a teenager in the house?

It's Sunday morning. Everyone should be home in bed fast asleep - including me.

What is it with electronics these days? Our laminator refused to heat yesterday leaving a stack of things still to do.

So, it was off to Sam's with my membership card in hand. They had just the thing. A bright, shiny, new laminator with lots and lots of buttons and heat settings and a 40 page manual. Thankfully, I got the cheap one. It's hard to imagine what the expensive one would be like!

Now, to figure out how to use the darned thing.

Surely, someplace, there's a teenager who can help. I'm off to find them!

C-ya online,

Gayle

Another Saturday at the Office...

Oh, to have a day off!

Today, I've got to drop a couple of computer monitors for the eBay store. Print some meditation cards and get them laminated, answer the email, check the forums and groups and put some more work on planning the Hope Quilt event.

I have to work fast. There's a family thing at 1:00 and it's an hour away. My kids spent the night at a slumber party. They have to be picked up but it's nice and quiet here at the office. So, I hope to get a lot done.

Keep your fingers crossed!

C-ya online,
Gayle

Playing catch up.

Whew. Finally a day for catching up -- I think.

Only a couple of calls to return, email to answer and only one appointment today plus 3 eBay orders to handle and a Hope Quilt event to plan.

I can do this.

C-ya online,

Gayle

We got the copier fixed!!!

The tech guy (and it was a guy) had a cancellation and we got it! :-)

Ok. Don't laugh. Most of you have a working copier in your office. It's no big deal. You probably think this is silly.

But for us, manna has just fallen from Heaven above.

Very expensive manna but manna just the same.

My hands trembled as I wrote the check for $300 to pay the copier guy. I really hope you can't buy a new copier for $300. The tech says you can't. So does a quickie search on Staples.com.

But that's a lot of money.

I hear you thinking, "What good will a copier do?"

* It will help us print flyers for a community education campaign for April (aka Sexual Assault Awareness Month".
* We can create Prayer Journals for the workshop next month.
* Support group info can be copied & pinned up on bulletin boards as we need them.
* Letters can be done in bulk.

Most importantly: It will help us save money so we can pay our internet hosting and other bills.

And I know you'd hate to miss reading this right? ;-)

C-ya online,

Gayle

I called about the copier!

I remembered to call about the copier!

They said a tech guy would come out in a week or so. It's "such an old model" they don't work on them much anymore. Contract customers come first. Yada. Yada. Still, we're so thrilled at the idea of finally having a working copier that it doesn't matter. I'll take it!

Bring on the tech guy! :-)

To help get us through in the meantime I'll pick up a copier/fax. There's one on sale over at Staples for $30.00. We should be able to handle that at the moment.

Last night the board meeting went well last but everything is overshadowed. I feel like we failed the mom who went back. Not just me, but the entire system failed her in some way.

It's tough.

In looking over it I can't think of anything we could have done differently that would have changed the outcome but I want to find something. Anything tangible that I could point my finger at and change so that next time things will go differently would be an improvement.

Certainly, we need more shelters - maybe someday Hope for Healing.Org will have one. But there are so many needs. A copier. A shelter. More staff. More volunteers. Another education programs? More anger management classes?

What do we as a society need most?

But it's not hopeless. I know it's not hopeless.

This morning I finally got to my email. (Granted, there was a comlaint from someone saying she'd emailed me a couple of days ago without a response yet. "What do you think you're doing not checking your email?" She demanded. In all caps no less.)

The vast majority of the messages have to do with hope and finding it. I have to hold on to those. Inquiries of "My class is doing a project on..." or "Can you send some Teal Ribbon Cards?" or emails saying "Thanks for being here." Those say to me that there is still hope.

Some days we do lose the battle but as survivors and advocates, we are winning the war.

This gives me hope.

Now, on to answer more email and then go to lunch with a volunteer...

C-ya online,

Gayle