Education outreach dispay at men's conference

Many thanks to those of you who stopped by our booth at Calling All Men. We appreciate each and every one of you. Talking to you, hearing your stories and providing you with the tools that you need are what we are here for! We can help with the following:

• Survivors - We can provide support, understanding and help you locate emergency resources
• Pastors - We can provide training to help you understand the unique needs of victims who are already within your congregation. Our staff can help you create a resource list so that you will be ready to help your parishioners at a moment's notice. We also have pulpit helps, responsive readings and bulletin inserts. Contact us for more information.
• Friends - We can help you by providing you with the support, education and resources that you need to be better able to help your friends.

No one deserves to be a victim of domestic or sexual violence. No who is dealing with these issues needs to feel alone. Outreach displays help us get the word out and reassure other victims. Thanks to Calling All Men for allowing us to get the message out. Would you like us to display at your event? Email countmein@hopeforhealing.org today.

Providing domestic violence information at Holston Annual Conference 2012

Here are a  couple of photos of our educational display. Since 2002, we have made domestic violence information available to the Holston Annual Conference.

Domestic violence display
at the Holston Annual Conference.

A lot of water has gone  under the bridge during that time. We are proud to say that the laity and clergy here,  have grown better at recognizing the effects of domestic violence within their congregations.

This year marks the first time that we have sold out of training materials. Leadership who found these materials to be sold out can place orders through our organization.

Photo of  missions display area
at the Holston Annual Conference.

We are glad to help you become more knowledgeable about domestic violence. Thank you for being part of the solution to this worldwide problem.

The staff and volunteers  of Hope for Healing.Org also wants to thank everyone for your support over the last ten years. We look forward to future years in service to the Holston Annual Conference.

Basic information on possible insurance options for survivors

Figuring out insurance options is hard. Survivors of domestic violence frequently feel as though they are tossed about. Private insurance is expensive and hard to come by. Some survivors will find themselves applying for public assistance for the first time.

There are several different types of public assistance. This may include food stamps, WIC, medicaid, medicare (for senior citizens or for those who are disabled).

To make matters more confusing Medicare itself has different coverage options. This coverage won't take care of everything. There will still be some expenses that must be paid for by the recipient or covered with a secondary insurance. Even though it is only available to those who are disabled or are senior citizens learning about Medicare is important.

There may be other types of care and specifics that are not listed here. This article is to provide a very general overview. More information can be found by searching online.

Medicare part A

This part covers hospitalization, skilled nursing homes, blood transfusions and hospice. It may also cover some home health services.

Medicare part B

This covers medically necessary services from a physician. Payments are often taken out of monthly income from Social Security, Railroad Retirement or Civil Service Retirement. It may cover tests, screenings and some home health care.

Medicare part C

This is a combination of part A and B. Services are provided through a HMO, PPO or PFFS. It is designed for people who have chronic health needs. It may included limited prescription medications.

Medicare part d

This is prescription drug coverage insurance. This cover can be added to some Medicare cost plances, private fee for service plans or added to your original Medicare plan. Another way to obtain the Medicare part d coverage is to join a HMO or PPO that already offers prescription drug insurance coverage.

This is a very broad overview of options. What is available will vary by state and location. It is important that survivors of domestic violence understand what options may be applicable. Talking with a local domestic violence advocate is your best source of what's available in your area.

Education opportunities for survivors of domestic violence

Survivors of domestic violence often think about going back to school. Generally, this is seen as the best way to a solid future. Jobs are growing more competitive. To get ahead you need an edge. A college education or some type of training after high school is essential in today's workforce.

We've mentioned college and job training before. Some questions have come in that we would like to cover here. Generally, the questions that we've gotten have involved the different types of schools that are out there. This article is going to cover some options.

The type of schools can vary by state. Most will require a copy of a high school transcript. A placement test or ACT/SAT scores may be required. Survivors of domestic violence can get more information from their local advocate.

Technical School

These schools generally issue diplomas for jobs in certain fields. Courses may include Licensed practical nursing, C.N.A. training, electrical, automotive mechanics. Other opportunities may be available.

Associate Degree

Local community colleges are popular for obtaining an associate degree. Programs can include paralegal studies, nursing or other classes. Community colleges are a popular starting point for people who want to obtain a bachelor from a college or university.

College

These are smaller than universities. Classes are small. They can offer more opportunities for one-on-one instruction. Courses will vary by college and may be offered in liberal arts, sciences or a combination.

Online universities

The internet is changing the way people learn. Online universities like WaldenU.edu allow you to work on a degree anywhere you can access the internet. Instead of going to class in a traditional classroom setting the internet students can now take classes virtually anywhere. Students no longer have to trudge through bad weather to get to class.

Internet classes like Walden University's online degree programs compare favorably to those offered by traditional universities. The types of services that are offered are similar to what you expect to find in a brick and mortar school. The combination of flexibility and quality classes are often what prompts survivors of domestic violence to learn about Walden.

Traditional universities

This type of school is what many people think of when they hear the word college. These offer all kinds of majors and activities. Personalized attention is often limited. Students may live on campus or off. Classes may be in a classroom setting, online or a combination of both.

Considerations for survivors going back to school

This article is written with a survivor in mind who is beyond the point of crisis. For survivors who don't already have a degree a college education can be helpful to a future. Safety always comes first. It can be helpful to talk with an advocate about safety planning before returning to school.

Because of difficulties with safety and logistics survivors may benefit from checking into Online Universities. These are becoming more common. Since classes are taken in the comfort of your own home they may be especially attractive to survivors of sexual or domestic violence.

Being able to use the internet for distance learning opens up a whole world of options. These days almost any degree can be taken online and can offer flexibility that traditional programs cannot do. Almost everyone knows that getting a college degree can lead to a much better paying job.

Online degree programs in health care administration, nursing or the legal field tend to be higher paying positions. Positions in these fields also seem to have a measure of job stability. That's always a consideration but it is even more important to think about these days.

This website http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ may be helpful in finding the right school or career for you. It can help you build a list of schools to compare and provides facts and data that can help you make an informed decision.

Financial aid is always a concern. Both of these websites can help with that http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and http://studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege/collegefinder/advanced_find.asp.

Teleclasses provide domestic violence training for clergy

Our teleclasses provide domestic violence training for clergy. The first training that was based on our manual took place in 2009 to over 400 pastors. Since that first training we have received requests for an encore and to provide a more in-depth look at domestic violence and dating sexual assault.

After much thinking and planning we have found an answer. In April, we will begin a series of teleclasses to provide domestic violence training for clergy. We will also talk about sexual assault within the dating relationship.

The course is designed to better equip clergy to help victims of domestic violence who are already within the congregation. It is not 911 or crisis training.

Teleclasses are designed to be interactive. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and are expected to be actively engaged during each session. The six-week series is at an introductory price of $35 and runs from April 6 at 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m for six weeks.




Here's what your course fee buys:

• 6 interactive sessions
• 1 copy of Domestic Violence Information for Pastors and Clergy (Those who register within 2 weeks of class will receive an electronic version. )
• Unlimited email follow-up
• Supplemental material for certain sessions provided at no additional cost
• Discounted rate on podcasts and CDs.
• Certificate of Completion

A limited number of scholarships are available. Please email us for information. Email us at countmein@hopeforhealing.org to register for the teleclasses on domestic violence today. Payments can be proceeds by credit card, Pay Pal. Checks are welcome and will be credited upon clearing the bank.

Youth, church workers and laity are welcome to take our teleclasses on domestic violence training for clergy. Discounts are available for 2 or more people who attend from the same church. Contact us to register a group.

Time's Up by Susan Murphy-Milano helps here

Susan Murphy-Milano not only continues to help survivors of domestic violence but she's also help us raise funds.

Here's how.

Buy the Time's Up e-book from the link below. You'll receive invaluable information. We'll receive $5 that will help us continue to serve victims of domestic violence. It's a win-win situation for survivors and for our nonprofit.

Orders must be placed through the button below to help Hope for Healing.Org.

The importance of Time's Up:
For many victims of domestic violence this is the first experience dealing with an attorney. Most have never had to deal with a stalker or worry about keeping personal records safe. Doing so can be a confusing nightmare.

This is where Time's Up by Susan Murphy-Milano comes into the picture. It provides information that survivors need. Having it available by e-book means that survivors can get the information when they need it. There's no trudging to the bookstore or waiting for the mail.

Time's up by Susan Murphy-Milano provides tips on:

• Hiring an attorney
• Finding a place to live
• Keeping your personal records safe
• Staying ahead of an abuser
• Dealing with stalkers

Are you a survivor of domestic violence who has you been looking for a helpful resource? If so, Time's Up  may be what you've been looking for.

How the money is used:

We use the funds for things like phone, internet service, webhosting, education displays, office supplies and such. As you know, these things don't come free.

If you are going to buy Time's Up by Susan Murphy-Milano using the link below will help you or a friend or loved one and it will help us help other survivors.

The Hope Blog by Hope for Healing.Org has a new look and feel

Good  news! The Hope Blog by Hope for Healing.Org has a new look and feel. We think that you will like the changes. Here are just a few of the exciting things we've done:

• The rich tones and high quality graphics give the blog a snappy new look.
• It's easier than ever to help victims with either a monthly or one time donation.
• Interactivity is provided with interesting new polls
• Tell us what you think. Mark posts interesting, like or cool.
• Easily share blog posts with friends. Use either the "share" button or one of the email, Blogger, Twitter or Facebook.
• Ask a counselor/doctor online option
• Facebook options on the bottom of every post.
• Easily find our office address.
• Search Amazon
• Sign register to receive blog  updates

Over the next few days we'll continue to tweak our layout. Let us know what you'd like to see. Leave your comments below.

Founder Presents at TCADSV Conference 3/31

Using Social Media (Twitter, Blogs, Facebook) to Advance the Cause of Your Nonprofit

If you don't know the difference between a blog, podcast or tweet you're in luck. Our founder, Gayle D'Ambrosio-Crabtree is presenting at the TCADSV conference tomorrow (3/31.) Conference attendees will want to attend. She'll be covering social media basics to help agencies maximize networking and connect with volunteers. Best of all, most of the social media platforms are free!

Complementing this presentation is the ebook Social Media: The Nonprofit Connection It is available for immediate download. This informative tool answers many questions that nonprofits have about social media. It is the perfect adjunct accompaniment to this week's workshop.

PS Don't forget to use the handy social media share button at the top of this page. It makes tweeting easy. Go Twitter!

Blog Action Day 09 - Recycle to Protect Earth & Stop Domestic Violence

Today is Blog Action Day 2009. This year's topic is Global Climate Change. So far, 10,000 bloggers are actively participating in one of the largest online writing events to ever take place. Global climate change effects everyone. You may have heard about global warming. Unfortunately, that's only one of the problems.

Right now, you may be asking yourself why an organization that works with victims of sexual or domestic violence is writing about global climate change. The reason I am writing about is because hotline calls increase during the summer months. Generally, the more the thermometer rises outside, the more tempers rise inside.

Global climate change effects everyone. You can't hide from it and you can't escape from it. It's here. It's now. It's up to us to slow it down.

Recycling is big part of slowing global climate change. We're all familiar with the idea of sorting trash into different bins. We've also seen special bins that charities have used to collect aluminum cans for recycling. We do that at our organization too.

But did you know that buying used furniture can help slow global climate change? So can purchasing or donating used clothing, books, dishes and other "treasures". The ink jet cartridges and used cell phones that we collect are recycled. Toxic components are kept out of landfills and from escaping into the atmosphere. This helps to slow global climate change.

The next time you see a collection box for a sexual and domestic violence program please use it. Go home and see what you can find to contribute. Put the items into your car so the next time you go by the collection box you can add your items.

Contributing takes only a few minutes. It helps victims of sexual and domestic violence, slows global climate change and helps you feel good about yourself. There's no reason not to help.

For more information view:
http://www.blogactionday.org

Who Ministers to the Pastors?

Clergy often play a pivotal role for those who are healing from sexual or domestic violence. They are sometimes seen as the first line of comfort by survivors. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of support for the supporters. We have had a request from someone who has reached us online.

The pastor is asking if there is an online support group for pastors who are helping victims. So far, we've not found such a group. We are still working on it. If you know of something please let us know. We're also considering offering such a group. If you would like to be a part of it please let us know that too.

Our email address is hopeinfo@hopeforhealing.org

Blog Action Day 2008 Hope for Healing.Org Participates

Hope for Healing.Org will join our voice in the worldwide outcry against poverty. Join us in Blog Action Day 2008, Poverty. Many of the clients we serve in East Tennessee know poverty. The slideshow tells the story better than we can. Some of the people we serve are victims of domestic violence who had to make the choice to live violence free in poverty or to stay with an abuser. Take it from us, this is no choice to have to make.

On October 15 we will be speaking out against poverty through our blog. So will hundreds of thousands of bloggers across the globe.

Will you join us? Click the graphic to register your blog now.

Take our Workshop at the Impacting Ministry Knoxville District Event

Brochure information is here:
http://www.holston.org/media/event/event/impactingministry.pdf

Take our workshop today at the Impacting Ministry event held at Fountain City United Methodist Church. Domestic Violence; The Silent Epidemic presented by Gayle Crabtree (Founder & Executive Director of Hope for Healing.Org) with her husband, Rev. John Crabtree who will be covering the example of an Old Testament family caught in the bondage of domestic violence. Registration begins at 1:30. Workshops begin at 2:45.

Heartbreakingly, one in three women worldwide will be abused in her lifetime. Wrapped in a shroud of evil silence many victims will fail to come forward to find the healing they deserve and need. What does Domestic Violence within the church look like? As a Christian what do you do if someone confides in you that they are being abused? Were women abused in the Bible? Is leaving Biblical? Come to our workshop to find some answers and learn how to help. See the Hope Quilt - a testimony by survivors.