FSN Annual Report 2011

FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK

FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK

2011 ANNUAL REPORT

P.O. Box 2460 Road Town, Tortola British Virgin Islands Tel: (284) 494-7622 24/7 Domestic Violence Helpline: (284) 499-0999 Email: familysn1@yahoo.com

Table of contents

Acknowledgements

(Con’t)

ZROD

page FSN's Crisis Helpline Response Team

FSN’S MISSION, VISION AND AIMS

3

Kenya Jeffers

Valuable FSN Volunteers

PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR REPORT

4-5

MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION

6

Walkers

Advocates in action

Farara Kerins

WAVE

FSN SERVICES

7 Tamara Cameron Ministry of Health & Social Development

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

8-9 Tana Nania Small-Davis

The Office of Gender Affairs

2011 CLIENT STATISTICS

10-11 Church of the Islands

CLIENTS’ TESTIMONY

12

Family & Juvenile Unit, RVIPF

Methodist church

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 2011 (DVAM 2011)

13

Community Mental Health

Church of god of prophecy

ACCOUNTS

14-15 Ladies of SASS

St. George's Anglican Church

EVENTS THROUGHOUT 2011

16-17 Elmore Stoutt High School

St. Paul's Anglican Church

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

18-19 Registered Office Agents

AMS

HLSCC

Nail Bay Resort

The Standpoint

Morris Mark FSN Board of Directors Zonta’s Club

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FSN’s Mission, Vision & Aims Acknowledgements FSN would like to thank and express its gratitude to the following individuals, groups and funding bodies for their support during the past year.

The Government of the Virgin Islands TMF (BVI) Ltd.

The Family Support Network (FSN) is a non-profit, non- governmental organization (NGO) whose primary aim is to aid individuals, couples and families affected by domestic violence.

Harney Westwood & Riegles Advocates in action Deloitte

Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, couples and families through education that leads to prevention, support to those in crisis, and rehabilitation through counseling.

Tortola Ladies club Simmonette Lewis

Our Vision is to see the reduction, and ultimately the eradication, of domestic violence in the British Virgin Islands.

KPMG SOCIETY OF TRUST AND ESTATE PRACTITIONERS (step)

Katherine l. Coppock Morgan & Morgan

FSN Aims to accomplish its mission and vision through the following strategic means: •

By providing direct services on a free and confidential basis to primary and secondary victims of domestic violence.

•

By operating as a crisis intervention, referral & information agency for those affected by domestic violence.

•

By initiating public outreach efforts to raise community and government awareness and provide public education about domestic violence in the BVI, and the compounding factors leading to more frequent and greater acts of violence within the home, and the correlating evidence suggesting that violence in the home precedes violence in the streets.

•

By participating in collaborative efforts as an inter-agency partner to strengthen the support network and service provider response for victims of domestic violence in the BVI.

•

By encouraging both Government and non-government entities alike to support initiatives that provide the means for the BVI to be able to adhere to international treaties with which the BVI is a signatory through our affiliation with the UK as an Overseas Territory.

Camille t. merry Scotia Bank Mossack Fonseca Jack Husbands Association of Registered Agents Dionne Boreland-Fearon BVI Platinum St. Williams Catholic Church Infinite Solutions Diana Bobadilla The Paint Factory Rafael Del Rosario CCT Miriam Mark & The Final Faze Band Myett's Dolphin Discovery Virgin Islands News Online

Break the Silence

Speedy’s SOL Cape Air The BVI Beacon Miss BVI 2011

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REPORTS DVAM 2011

(Domestic violence awareness month-Oct) Photos

President’s Report– Judith Charles There have been many positive occurrences and accomplishments at Family Support Network in 2011. The biggest negative is the marked decrease in funding. This is not unusual given that many charities all over the world are experiencing the same challenge during the difficult global economic situation. However, as we are a board of three with some wonderful people who assist where needed, trying to maintain a much needed social service entity, one could see where “challenge” is an understatement.

While we were happy to welcome Chonda Jeffers as our new Executive Director, we still only have two staff, including Karina George, Human Services Administrator. Chonda has a Masters in Counseling, a great asset for FSN and the clients. I believe her counseling expertise was partly responsible for the increase in male clients. But she also established the Play Therapy room for the children we see who are the secondary victims of abuse. Karina has many years of hands on experience and is bilingual, which when given the 11% increase in Hispanic female victims, she provided an invaluable service to these clients everywhere from Court to Immigration and Labor. As the financial belt tightened FSN narrowed our mission and concentrated largely on victims of domestic violence. As the staff concentrated on their areas of expertise, they were able to improve services provided and saw success with more clients becoming empowered and thus more independent and going out on their own.

The amended Domestic Violence Act was passed by the House of Assembly, giving victims and the agencies that work to help them, a more solid and meaningful legal framework on which to base legal actions against the perpetrators of domestic violence. FSN in proud to have been involved along with others in the consultations and deliberations prior to this piece of legislation going to the Attorney General’s Chambers and finally to the House of Assembly.

We continue to work closely with the court administration in order to fully comprehend what is required by the courts to fully support our clients and obtain positive outcomes for them through the legal process.

Our objective for 2012 is to keep the staff focused on client success. As President, I will continue to promote the expansion of the Board by encouraging some of the many talented and caring persons in our community to lend their time and talents to FSN in areas such as community outreach and particularly in fundraising. We must raise funds in order to keep the doors open for those who need our services every day. Funding is critical to our continued success.

As long as the scourge of domestic violence continues to be a feature of daily existence in our community, the need for the services that FSN provides will continue to be great. Our mission is to remain available and accessible to those who need the help and support of our organization. With the help of our generous donors and Government’s continued support, we know that we will accomplish this mission.

Human Services Administrator– Karina George I have been grateful to work alongside Ms. Jeffers, a director who saw that my five year tenure qualified me for another position with FSN. During the first four years I held FSN administrative officer position and under the direction of Ms. Jeffers, I was given the title of Human Services Administrator.

A 11% increase (being 29% in 2011) in female victims were from the Hispanic population, which was indeed significant. As a native of the Hispanic community, I played an instrumental role in assisting this client group. The English/Spanish translation allowed FSN to break the language barrier and further facilitate our outreach efforts.

FSN’s primary focus for 2011 was to provide our clientele with quality service. With this approach, we were able to see the fruits of our work through the positive feedback and satisfactory reviews. We are enthusiastic to move forward with new ideas in 2012. As we close this year, we will continue to serve clients with a high quality standardized but personal, approach.

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Events throughout 2011 Director’s Report– Chonda Jeffers When I was appointed the Director in January 2011, I wondered how I will lead this team of dedicated individuals, but then I realized all things are possible with GOD. The past year, 2011, has been a year of hard work and experience for me. Being the only organization in the community which works directly with victims of domestic violence, I knew the importance of the work I am involved in. Thus, I did not take this position lightly.

We worked tirelessly to improve and restructure what works for the organization and our clients. This has not been an easy task but it was a joyous one as we saw the fruits of our labour.

Even though we saw the fruits of our labour, there is still room for improvement. Our community is the corner stone of FSN. Our doors are kept open because of the victims, but we can only do this with the help of our partners in the community. Without our partners, we would not have enough resources to provide for the families in distress.

I would like to take this time to thank our volunteers for their support in 2011. We do hope that in the near future FSN would have a full time staff of more employees in order to reach more victims in our community. This is a vision we hope will come to pass because there are still some families who have not had the courage to come forward for help. Help us help those families!

Miss British virgin islands 2011– Abigail Hyddman Winning the title of Miss British Virgin Islands 2011-2012 is not only an honor and a privilege but a responsibility that I humbly embrace. For me, the title obligates me to a full-time job. My new found role has catapulted me into a life of service and I have become a true British Virgin Islands ambassador and humanitarian.

My role undoubtedly has brought me closer to my people and my community.

Initially, when I started this journey of working with the Family Support Network, fighting against domestic violence, I did not anticipate the abundance of support from so many diverse groups and organizations. I applaud them all! Domestic Violence is a major issue that affects every level of our community. Its effects are far reaching and its impact threatens to disrupt the normal balance of our social structure. It has the potential to destroy life, limb, stability, security and safety.

My advocacy focuses on the lack of a suitable shelter to house Victims of Domestic Violence. I have committed myself to lobby for this cause. I have pledged my voice and advocacy. I urge my community to never forget that domestic violence does not discriminate against age, ethnicity, culture, or even gender. Anyone of us can be a victim. So please continue to support the Family Support Network and me in our fight to obtain a shelter for the British Virgin Islands. I will be forever grateful!

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Management & Administration

Accounts Family Support Network

FULL TIME STAFF Chonda Jeffers / Counsellor

- Director

Karina George

- Human Services Administrator

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011Â

VOLUNTEER STAFF Ms. Judith Charles

- President of the Board of Directors

Mr. Roy Barry

- Treasurer of the Board of Directors

Mrs. Rosemarie Flax

- Secretary of the Board of Directors

Mrs. Magdalene Rhymer

- Head of Personnel Committee

ASSETS Current Assets Checking Petty Cash Savings

11,000.46 250.00 37,577.13 Total

Checking/Savings

48,827.59 Fixed Assets

CRISIS TEAM RESPONDENTS

Office Equipment

6,310.00

Total Assets

55,137.59

Regular monthly meetings with the Crisis Response Team who have not only supported with the Crisis phone but have contributed with the preparation of DVAM.

OTHER VOLUNTEERS

EQUITY Owner's Equity

17,992.01

Net Income

10,049.80

A young college student volunteered with FSN for one month in 2011. She provided support to the staff during the our movie fund raising event.

An Elmore Stoutt High School Student volunteered with FSN during the summer break. This bright young lady was an asset to out organization and we look forward for more summer students to assist FSN staff.

Ladies of S.A.S.S. have supported FSN clients by hosting canned food drives and during Domestic Violence awareness month 2011.

28,041.81 Building Fund

27,095.78 Total Owners

Equity

55,137.59

Gender Affairs Staff supported FSN during the Month of October with media coverage and our Family Fun Day Event.

Miss BVI 2011 Abigail Hyndman utilized her platform to give voice to Family Support Network and our services.

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FSN Services

Accounts

In 2011 seventy-two victims utilized the following free services through out the year

Family Support Network Income Statement for the period ended December 31, 2011

Revenue Transfer Total Revenue Expenditure Salary Telephone Rent Electricity & Water Playground Equipment Office Supplies Translator Fee Single Mother Fund Miscellaneous Social Security Contributions Payroll Tax Accomodation Maintenance - Air Condition Domestic Violence Month Staff Insurance Bank Charges Net profit

110,357.94 22,000.00 132,357.94

75,046.25 4,283.56 9,600.00 3,356.07 1,000.00 3,663.83 675.00 2,300.00 700.00 7,038.93 7,104.63 3,277.50 640.00 2,438.81 856.00 327.56

•

Individual counseling for primary and secondary victims of intimate partner abuse and rape/sexual assault.

•

Counseling referrals for those willing to change abusive behaviors.

•

Couple's counseling (in cases where domestic violence had not yet taken place), focus on building a healthy relationship & preventing domestic violence.

•

Referrals for specialized assistance such as drug and alcohol abuse, psychological assessment, anger management counseling.

•

Financial independence from abusers—-for example: resume/job support, apartment assistance, food and clothing support, and enrollment for courses.

•

Self-esteem and healthy relationship workshops, and identifying warning signs of unhealthy/ abusive relationships.

•

Legal Aid Consultation, free legal representation for domestic violence victims, and Victim Advocacy Court Support through court proceedings.

•

Information, education & referrals available 24/7 through the FSN Domestic Violence Helpline.

Crisis Intervention Services included:

122,308.14 10,049.80

•

24-7 Domestic Violence Helpline.

•

Temporary Emergency Shelter for domestic violence victims & their children.

•

Assistance submitting applications to court for Protection, Occupation/Tenancy, & Child Maintenance Orders.

•

Coordination of legal representation for victims of domestic violence.

•

Victim Advocacy Support for DV victims (information, guidance and support in making police reports, seeking medical attention, attending court).

•

Crisis Intervention Counseling for Primary and Secondary Victims.

•

Opportunities to freely receive basic needs (such as clothing, non-perishable foods, diapers, baby formula, pillows, sheets, etc.) in economic hard-times and crisis situations.

In addition, FSN provided services for secondary victims as are listed below: - contacting neighbors and co-workers of a known victim to develop an Intervention/Safety Plan for victim.

- secondary victim received counseling having recognized their symptoms of secondary trauma.

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DVAM 2011

Accomplishments

(Domestic violence awareness month-Oct 2011)

DVAM 2011 (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) 2011 Activities

What The Activity Did Or Resulted In

What We Accomplished As An Organization

Networking with various agencies

•

PTA presentations at Elmore Stoutt High School;

Raising awareness to Parents;

•

Participated in Child Abuse Month with Social Development;

Puppet Show about abuse in the Primary School;

•

HLSCC College Fair;

•

Partnership with Miss BVI 2011, Abigail Hyndman

Fund Raising Events

•

Presentations were conducted with Enid Scatliffe and classes 4 and 5 of the Althea Scatliffe Primary Schools On October 3rd and 4th 2011 and October 19th and 26th 2011. Our interactive presentation demonstrated feelings and emotions; violence in the home and school; and the importance of a safe environment.

Raise awareness about FSN;

•

12th October 2011 FSN Staff and the Director of Gender Affairs presented on GIS Radio Report about domestic violence in the BVI.

Workshops with Gender Affairs and Ministry of Health & Social Development

Acquired knowledge about Gender equalities;

•

•

Referrals to Mental Health;

Clients received support;

On October 15th 2011, A “Family Fun Day” was a highlight for the Family Support Network. This included live music by the Final Faze Band, Clowns, races, and a raffle drawing with prizes donated by local companies. We also received support from FSN Crisis Team, Deloitte, Ladies of Sass, Gender Affairs and Miss B.V.I. 2011 Abigail Hyndman. Despite the low turnout from the community, we were able to raise a small amount of money for our shelter fund project.

•

Tortola Ladies Club

Hosted Fund Raising events for FSN

•

FSN staff and Miss BVI 2011 conducted a brief presentation at the Rotary Club Sun Rise event 25th October 2011.

Our partnership created another avenue for educating a younger demographic of our community about domestic violence and raised awareness across the general broad spectrum because of the varied types of activities Miss BVI has attended and spoken at.

•

“Painted the Town Purple” 28th October 2011. This highlighted purple decorations from the Port Purcell Roundabout to the vicinity of Columbia Emerald. “Purple” is the internationally recognized color for Domestic Violence. It represents unity in standing together in the fight against domestic violence, reminds us all of the many individuals who have died as a result of thy type of violence, and generally helps in raising awareness of this social ill. Everyone was encouraged to wear or accessorize in purple for our “Purple Friday” event.

•

Family Support Network partnered with the Elmore Stoutt High School on Friday 28th October 2011, for a dress up day with the students. There was a small fee of $2.00 charged to the students and all proceeds were donated to FSN.

•

His Excellency the Governor Mr. Mc Cleary and Mrs. Mc Cleary in conjunction with the Tortola Ladies Club Presented a fun filled night of “Dancing with the Stars” (local stars of the BVI). This event was in support of the Family Support Network.

•

Saturday October 29th 2011, the Director of FSN made a presentation about FSN and Domestic Violence to the “Women Aglow”.

Miss Hyndman platform was on Domestic Violence. She became a volunteer advocate and learned about Family Support Network and its role in the community.

•

Movie Night at UP’s Cineplex;

•

Selling items from the Thrift Store;

•

DVAM events

Money was raised for shelter; and small office purchases

Social Marketing

FSN’s Face Book Page

This information allowed the staff to provide more information to the community about our activities.

FSN as a resource agency

Students from the HLSCC requesting Stats

Students from the HLSCC were able to receive Statistics from FSN about domestic violence in the BVI.

Workshops

•

Safeguarding children in the BVI

•

Domestic Violence Act 2011;

Important participation in a project that can positively affect the futures of our clients.

•

National Gender Policy 2011;

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The aim for Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2011 was to not only raise awareness about domestic abuse but to also fundraise for Family Support Network’s Shelter Project. During the past 20 years, the family support network has been offering the public free domestic violence services. Due to our limited funding, our aim for this year was to show the community that we are an agency that is also in need of financial resources. Thus, we began a few fundraising events. Even though we were not able to raise as much money as we would have hoped, we were able to begin an important journey in promoting the need for more resources from the community in order to continue to keep our doors open in the future.

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Clients’ Testimony

Accomplishments

These Testimonies are from the direct support of the following Sponsors: Deliotte Sol Ladies of S.A.S.S

St. Williams Catholic Church (Road Town) KPMG Church of Latter Day Saints

“I had reached a point in my life where I needed council as life’s experiences had created some emotional turmoil, instability and insecurity in my life and I felt that it was time to seek assistance in sorting out these difficult times. I needed someone to listen to me and at least try to understand how these experiences had adversely affected my emotional well being. In my search I crossed path with a psychologist who in turn referred me to the Family Support Network as this organization is able to provide counseling sessions, among other assistance, free of charge.

During my counseling sessions I was made to feel very comfortable and that I could share as much or as little as I wanted to. For the first time in my life I had an entire room to myself where I could be heard and felt totally understood. For the first time in my life, I was afforded a forum where I could thrash out all the negative experiences in my life and discuss them and uninhibitedly speak about my feelings and how these experiences have affected me. At the commencement of my sessions, my self esteem and self worth was at the very low end, however, progressively, and by the time I had reached the stipulated number of sessions I had a feeling of empowerment and by confidence level had been restored.

Ms. Chonda Jeffers was very patient, understanding and assisted me tremendously in having hind sight and foresight about my past experiences and having me realize that the terrible things that had been done to me were no fault of mine. That these persons who done me wrong were the ones at fault. She allowed me to focus on the positive aspects of my life and the great attributes about myself and the great things that I continue to do for myself and my children.

The Family Support Network was also instrumental in aiding me with a child support issue wherein they acquired a lawyer pro bono on my behalf. With the assistance of this lawyer I was able to be reasonably awarded child support monies to assist in my children’s well being.

I am indeed grateful for all the assistance from the Family Support Network as this organization was one of the major pillars of strength at this difficult period of my life. I certainly encourage persons to reach out to FSN as the organization is there to assist individuals in their emotional, mental, and social well being. I also encourage the corporate community as well as individuals, to lend their support to FSN whether it be financially, or to give of their time, expertise etc. in the development and continuation of this organization. Thank you FSN from the bottom of my heart.” ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “I was going through a rough period in my life, when I was referred to the Family Support Network. Once there I explained my situation to a kid member of staff. She was very supportive and counseled me in how to better deal with my crisis. Family Support Network has been a source of inspiration for me and my three children. They have helped me psychologically through that abusive situation at the hands of my husband. He is currently in prison and awaiting trial for attempted murder. I was hospitalized for many weeks after that and I am thankful to be alive so I can see my children grow up!

I have benefited so much from the financial contribution from the agency [Deloitte] who has donated on a monthly basis to FSN in 2011. This financial assistance has helped me pay my electricity and water bill; purchase food items for my family; and pay for my work permit and annual immigration stamp. In a nutshell the Family Support Network has been a big help to me and my family during 2011. I would like to sincerely thank the Family Support Network and their sponsors who have made it all possible for my family and me to make it through the past year. Thank you!” ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “I have considered my self as a success story after having to spend some time in session at Family Support Network (FSN). At the beginning I was a bit skeptic seeing that the workers/counselors were at my age range. After my first session I quickly realized that it was persons of qualified backgrounds that are there with our best interest. The support and counsel was beyond what I expected and I a grateful that I took that opportunity to utilize the services given in order to help me through my difficult times.

I am also grateful that its not only myself that was helped, the kids were also apart of FSN's venture. At Christmas time they were given gifts which they appreciated and the director always asks about them, ensuring their well being. Overall it was a great experience and we all are thankful for FSN, who are there giving their time and support to families in every possible way they can.” ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “I was very elated to have received the box of groceries from FSN at Christmas time. I was so surprised to find every category of groceries in the box. My heart was overwhelmed with surprise, gratitude and humility. I cried and lifted my head and praised God and thank him for FSN. The following day I called and told Miss Jeffers how happy, surprised and grateful I was and how blessed I felt to have received this package. As a single mother of three it meant a great deal to me. We enjoyed everything that was in the package.

Thanks again FSN from the bottom of my heart.”

2011 Activities

What The Activity Did Or Resulted In

What We Accomplished As An Organization

The Single Mother Sponsorship Program

· Individual needs of clients funded by sponsorship of local corporations.

Provides additional funding to assist our clients on a one-on- one basis.

And other Donations

· Monetary Donations and Physical Donations

Counselling

Provides individual therapy for

FSN Restructure

•

Children

•

Victims of domestic violence

· New office protocol for volunteers; · Filing System, new brochures and posters placed in Government Agencies;

Provided another avenue of help for our clients and their families.

Reallocated our resources and refocused our efforts to provide more efficient, streamlined procedures for delivering quality services to our client group.

· Refurbish office space; · Changed our focus and narrowed in to allow staff to be more efficient and effective when providing services.

Media Coverage

The staff and volunteers at the Family Support Network realize the importance of media coverage in order to reach out to our community.

During 2011 our media coverage included BVI Platinum; Virgin Islands News Online; BVI Beacon; BVI Stand Point; Zrod and ZVBI; Real Talk; and Lets Talk about Sex.

The media coverage during this year gave FSN exposure that brought us a new partner who has made it possible for clients to have a shelter stay of up to two weeks as opposed to the 3 day hotel stays previously offered.

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Client Stats (con’t)

2011 Client Stats

Number of victims served during 2011:

Number of victims served during the past three years:

The Nationality of victims served during 2011

70 60 50 40

BVI 13%

Male Female Children

30 20

O ther Caribbean Countries 20%

USA & USVI 9%

Dom inican R ep.

29%

10

BVI U SA & U SVI Dominican Rep. G uyana

0 2009

2010

2011

Other Caribbean Countries U K & Eastern Europe Aust ralia U nknown

Types of Abuse:

35

●

A total of 72 clients were served during 2011.

30

●

49 new clients, 23 returning clients.

25

●

7 non-domestic violence cases (poverty related), 56 cases of intimate partner abuse.

20

●

59 out of the 72 clients served were female; and 4 were male.

●

The majority of women were between the ages of 20 and 45.

●

The majority of abusers were men from the B.V.I.

●

26 women were physically abused; 34 emotionally/psychologically/verbally; 13 financially; and 2 sexually.

●

The 4 male clients served were physically; verbally/emotionally/psychologically abused; and were threatened by their female partners they will not see their children.

●

78% of victims left their abusers; and 22% stayed with the abusers.

●

The primary reasons victims stayed with their abusers were: fear; financial dependency; and survival.

●

children were living in 75% of the abusive households.

●

7 clients were placed in emergency protective shelter.

●

9 children and 8 adults received counseling services.

●

14 protection orders; 20 child maintenance orders; 2 occupation orders.

15 10 5 0

P hys ica l

•

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Ver /P s yc/Emot

Fina ncia l

Sexu a l

Verbal, Psychological & Emotional Abuse (Ver/Psyc/Emot)

Male Fem a l e

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