Well received.

Judging from the brochures that were brought back the display was well received. Only a few brochures were left. Way to go Brenda!

Processing...

Hi all,

We're still processing a very large donation that was given to us. Some of it is going on eBay. We're very grateful to Eilene and David for thinking of us! We're sorting through to see what we'll be keeping for the program. There are jewelry making supplies, cookbooks, books, audiobooks, craft supplies and more. We may also have some really neat things we can use for incentives for class attendance. We're still working on it and will have to see.

Great job Volunteers!

Great job! Thank you Wanda, Deb, Tracey, and Shen for making a difference with the kids today. You are heroes in my book. I know the kids benefitted from all of your efforts.

Mission Accomplished. See you next month!


PS. Sorry about the well done pizza. Next time, we'll order out (or get someone else to cook.) :-)

Getting ready for Community Service Workers

The Restorative Justice kids will be here tomorrow. We're getting ready for them. There's lots to do!

The closet really needs some work. While we were away clothes got mixed up and more came in. The kids really have their work cut out for them! They'll also be making jewelry items that will go for sale on eBay. This helps us pay our phone bill and meet other expenses - such as their lunch. :)

This is our first time in working with the Knox County program. I'm looking forward to meeting the kids and having the help. They may have hours to serve but these are not just workers. Each child is a unique person. They deserve to have someone at least try to make a connection with them. We hope to be able to do that. Moreover, we hope to make a difference.

Statistics show that kids from domestic violence households are at an increased risk of getting into trouble. Our theory is if we can make a connection and model positive behavior the kids will gain some idea of what a healthy relationship is like. This can lead to increased self-esteem and decrease the possibility that they will ever need our hotline services.

We've done well making connections. So far, 100% of the kids we've worked with on community service hours have gone on to far exceed the hours set for them. In at least one case the kid not only enjoyed his time here but got his brother to volunteer here too.

To us, that's cool!

Now I'm off to make reminder calls to our volunteers.

Our display is on the road again...

Thanks to Brenda's efforts our display is hitting the road again. Cokesbury UMC in Knoxville is hosting a conference next week. Our display, sexual assault and domestic violence brochures will be there. I can't wait to hear how it goes!

Don't forget. If you're local, you can borrow the display for your group, church or function. Just let us know. We'll be happy to work it out.

Meanwhile, back at the office...

Wow! I forgot how things pile up when you're away. Carol is out too. Fortunately, a volunteer is coming in today. Brenda is coordinating several activities. She's helping us get the word out throughout other parts of Jefferson County. It's also food pantry day. We'll be busy.

The food pantry isn't one of our programs. Our office is in space donated by a church. They maintain the pantry. On days when the pantry is open we make a point to be in the office. Sometimes, people who need food also need clothes - that's us.

To better meet the needs of victims we offically opened the closet earlier this year. The community has been very generous. Clothing is either donated or offered nearly every day. It's enabled us to not only have clothes available for our clients but for the community at large.

It means a lot of folding, sorting and hanging but that's ok. With volunteers, we're up to the challenge!

Annual Conference Last Day

Today is the final day at the Holston Annual Conference.

Thanks to everyone who's stopped by the booth. Thanks for picking up our materials. Thanks for picking out jewelry made by volunteers and former victims.

Without you, we can't make hope happen for others. Don't forget us after the conference. Invite us to speak to your church or group. Remember us in your missions activities. Host a jewelry sale. Schedule a Hope Quilt display.

And know we are here if you ever need us.

And many, many, many thanks to Lynn and her friends who are working with Project Linus. We appreciate the blankets you gave. These will be awesome with the Where's Bears? that we have. I can just imagine the looks on the kids faces! You don't know the good these will do.

I'll talk with you soon.

We're set up with the Hope Quilt!

Hi All,
We're now set up. The quilt is on display and we are answering questions. If you are here at the conference (and I know some of you are) please do stop by our booth! Things are going great. Thanks and we'll see you here! :) Have fun!

Missing table at Conference..

Hi All,

If you are here at the Holston Annual Conference and looking for our table, we've hit a snag. It was confirmed a few months ago but a table was apparently not reserved for our display. We're working on tracking down the person in charge and hope to have it up and running ASAP.

See you here,
Gayle

Getting ready for conference...

The display is readied. The car is loaded. We're ready to be on our way. Beginning Sunday, for the next several days we'll be at Annual Conference in beautiful Lake Junaluska, NC.

If you are in the Waynesville or Lake Junaluska area feel free to stop by. We're on the assemblygrounds in the Terrace Hotel. The Hope Quilt will be on display and we have jewelry made by survivors and former victims of sexual and doemstic violence. Come see us. Pick up a teal ribbon card or information while you are here. We're always glad to see you!

Holiday weekends and hotlines.

Holidays are always busy times for compassion programs like ours. Get ready to have fun but do so sensibly. Watch your stress level. Limit alcohol consumption. It's ok to take a time-out from another person. Call a hotline or friend if you feel yourself getting so angry that you might hurt someone.

And as always, if you are in an abusive situation, get help. Abuse is not love. No one deserves to be abused. If you aren't local and you want get call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). They'll help you create a safety plan and help you locate resources you need. Make this 4th of July a safe one.