Domestic Violence Awareness Month - October 2022 Media Kit

Contact: Christine A. Gilfillan, Director, Domestic Violence Services

Tel: 717.291.5826 ext. 3148

Email: cgilfillan@caplanc.org

September 26, 2022

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS PLANNED TO RAISE AWARENESS

Lancaster, Pa. Domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) impacts millions of people each year, and it can be prevented. It requires the collective voice and power of survivors and individuals, families, institutions, and systems whose stories of strength, support, and resilience add valuable and powerful components to transforming our communities.

Last year, Domestic Violence Services (DVS), a program of Community Action Partnership, served 1,817 local victims of domestic violence, including 86 children According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

This year has been a year of growth and resilience for DVS. Our 2022 theme, “Connect the Dots,” speaks to the work being done to make the necessary connections between DVS and survivors, DVS and professional systems and organizations, and DVS and the broader community.

Finding a safe, affordable, permanent home for their family is one of the biggest challenges that domestic violence survivors face. To meet this need, DVS is preparing to launch several new initiatives with funding from The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). A housing team devoted to DV survivors, which will provide trauma informed supportive services at each stage of the housing process, is expected to launch November 1.

“Domestic violence or intimate partner violence continues to be a major public health epidemic in our communities,” DVS Director Christine Gilfillan said. “For survivors experiencing homelessness, safe, affordable permanent housing may seem out of reach, yet it is their number one priority.”

“By increasing supportive services for housing needs, survivors will be in a position to truly thrive.”

To honor the resilience of domestic violence survivors, DVS will present various events with the theme, “Connect the Dots”, throughout the month of October. Please join us!

MEDIA EVENT (not open to public)

Thursday, Sept 29

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month launch, 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., The Ware Center Owen Salon, 42 North Prince Street

PUBLIC EVENTS

September 26 29

• Silent Witness Project at the Ephrata Library, 550 S. Reading Rd., Ephrata September 30 to October 11

• Silent Witness Project at the County Government Center, 150 N. Queen Street October 11 to 14

• Silent Witness Project at Penn Medicine Suburban Outpatient Pavilion, 2100 Harrisburg Pike

Wednesday, Oct. 12

• Healthcare Cares about Domestic Violence Day Saturday, Oct. 15

• EPAC Production of The Color Purple with DVS & Community “talk back ” More info: https://www.epactheatre.org/ October 17 21

• Silent Witness Project at Elizabethtown College, Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness & Wellbeing, 1 Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown Thursday, Oct. 20

• DVS Fall Mixer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Altana, 26 E. King Street (Ticketed event)

• Wear Purple Day community photo op (wear purple!), 8:15 a.m. Musser Park, 135 North Lime Street October 21 27

• The Silent Witness Project at Thaddeus Stevens College, Jones Building Cafeteria, 750 East King Street Tuesday, Oct. 25

• Noon, Book Discussion with the Touchstone Foundation. More information: https://touchstonefound.org/ Wednesday, Oct 26

• Speaking Witness: DV Survivor Speak Out, 7 p.m. at the Ware Center, Owen Salon Sunday, Oct. 23

• Bakers Uprising Bake Sale & Community Fair, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until sell out), Musser Park October 27 31

• The Silent Witness Project at the LGBTQ+ Coalition, 117 E. Chestnut Street

About Domestic Violence Services

DVS is a catalyst to eliminate domestic violence in Lancaster County through direct service, advocacy, and social change. DVS offers 24/7 hotline and text line, emergency shelter, counseling, children’s programming, legal advocacy and representation, and transitional housing. All services are free of charge and strictly confidential. DVS hosts professional trainings and community education and prevention sessions for schools, businesses and community and faith based organizations. For more information, visit caplanc.org/DVS

About Community Action Partnership

The Community Action Partnership is Lancaster County’s largest anti poverty organization, helping low income families achieve economic empowerment. CAP’s service profile interrupts generational poverty with programs that support families and individuals at every age and place in life, in the areas of education, health, household stability and safety and empowerment. For more information, visit www.caplanc.org

Circle of Support

DVS is a catalyst to end domestic violence in Lancaster County through direct service, advocacy and social change. As a catalyst for change we seek to build and deepen our partnerships and support throughout Lancaster County to better support survivors and ultimately, to achieve a safer community.

We hope that you will join us on this very important mission!

Circle conversations have deep roots in many cultures around the world. Circles are used to make decisions, create accountability, and build community. The women who started the movement to end domestic violence originally gathered around kitchen tables offering support to one another, problem-solving and organizing their communities to address this critical issue.

In 2022 DVS will return to our roots in the movement through Circles of Support. This is an opportunity for DVS staff members to get to know our neighbors and our community through small group conversations. We will talk about domestic violence, the challenges that survivors face, the resources they need to achieve safety, stability and wellness, and how we as a community can collectively support them.

Please invite us to talk with your neighborhood or community group, service organization, faith-based group, workplace, or other affinity group. There is no financial commitment to host a Circle of Support… and many ways that you can get involved!

You can learn more about these opportunities by contacting Angela Keen, Community Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator, at akeen@caplanc.org or go to: www.caplanc.org/dvsconnect.

For more information, please contact: Angela Keen • Phone: 717-299-9677, ext. 3176 • Email: akeen@caplanc.org

Please email

to: Community Action Partnership | 601 S Queen St, Lancaster, PA

Circle of Support Registration

2022

Sponsorship Campaign

EXCLUSIVE TRAILBLAZER SPONSOR, $15,000+

• Includes up to 10 tickets to Spring and Fall DVS Mixers

• 30-second commercial during DVS Mixers OR opportunity to provide welcoming comments at DVS mixers

• Logo display on preshow display during both mixers

• Logo featured on all mixer event communications & website

• Logo included on all DVS video content

• Social media post leading up to mixers (Facebook reach: 4,800 followers, Instagram: 3,100 followers, Twitter: 440 followers) and post event thank you

• Logo featured in quarterly DVS newsletter (900 recipients)

• Recognition at Domestic Violence Awareness Month events in October

• DVS Lunch and Learn presentation to your organization or company

• Opportunity to exhibit a table at DVS mixer events

VISIONARY SPONSOR, $10,000-$14,999

• Includes up to 8 tickets to Spring and Fall DVS Mixers

• Logo display on preshow display during both mixers

• Logo featured on all mixer event communications & website

• Logo included on all DVS video content,

• Social media post leading up to mixers (Facebook reach: 4,800 followers, Insta gram: 3,100 followers, Twitter: 440 followers) and post event thank you

• Logo featured in quarterly DVS newsletter (900 recipients)

• Recognition at Domestic Violence Awareness Month events in October

• DVS Lunch and Learn presentation to your organization or company

DREAMER SPONSOR, $5,000-$9,999

• Includes up to 6 tickets to Spring and Fall DVS Mixers

• Logo display on preshow display during both mixers

• Logo featured on all mixer communications & website

• Logo featured in quarterly DVS newsletter (900 recipients)

• Recognition at Domestic Violence Awareness Month events in October

FRIEND SPONSOR, $1,000-$4,999

• Includes up to 4 tickets to Spring and Fall DVS Mixers

• Name featured on rotating welcome slideshow

• Name featured on event website

• Name featured in quarterly DVS newsletter (900 recipients)

• Recognition at Domestic Violence Awareness Month events in October

For more information, please contact: Kristy Aurand • Phone: 717-299-7388, ext. 3032 • Email: kaurand@caplanc.org

September26–29

EphrataLibrary

550SouthReadingRd EphrataPA17522

September30–October11

LancasterCountyGovernment Center (ChestnutStreetWindow Display)

150N.QueenStreet LancasterPA17603

October11-October14 (morning)

PennMedicineSuburban OutpatientPavilion

2100HarrisburgPike LancasterPA17603

October17–October21

ElizabethtownCollege BowersCenter 1AlphaDrive ElizabethtownPA17022

October21—October27

ThaddeusStevensCollege

JonesBuilding—Cafeteria 750EastKingStreet Lancaster,PA17602

October27-October31

LancasterLGBTQ+Coalition 117EastChestnutSt LancasterPA17602

Witness

Speaking Witness

Speaking

RAFFLE

The winner of the 50/50 raffle will win 50% of the net proceeds and will be announced at the end of Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Enter often to increase your chances of winning while supporting a great cause!

Must be 18 years of age or older to participate. An exact amount is unknown until the raffle closes on October 30.

VOICES

DVS AWARDED 2021 OVW TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROJECT PLANS TO STRENGTHEN HOUSING ADVOCACY EFFORTS

Domestic violence is one of the primary causes of homelessness and housing insecurity for women and their children in the United States. Emergency shelters provide immediate safe options for families fleeing abuse but may not provide enough time for them to secure safe, affordable permanent housing, especially in a rental market as tight and expensive as the current rental market in Lancaster city and county.

One of DVS’ major goals for 2022 is to develop a full continuum of housing assistance and options for domestic violence survivors, tailored to their needs. This continuum would include shelter diversion, emergency shelter, hoteling, transitional housing, and the Housing First approach.

The Housing First model, which prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, serves as a safe platform from which survivors and others experiencing homelessness can pursue personal goals and economic stability. However, for domestic violence survivors with significant trauma histories and other serious barriers to securing permanent housing, transitional housing provides additional time to heal in community, engage in voluntary supportive services, and gather the resources necessary to achieve long-term success in permanent housing.

Beginning in February 2022, DVS’s Bridge House Transitional Housing program will be funded for four years by an Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grant.

In addition to covering Bridge House operating expenses and increasing program staffing, the grant will provide direct assistance to Bridge House residents, who can be in the program for six to 24 months, in the form of supportive services, education, job training, child care, housing advocacy and move-in costs for permanent housing. Follow-up services will also be available. Supportive services and educational partners for the project include SACA, Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13, Tenfold, and PA CareerLink.

Stay tuned for opportunities to get involved in DVS Housing Advocacy efforts – critical work necessary in order for domestic violence survivors to achieve safety and economic stability – and begin to thrive!

Director’s Letter

From the Director Christine Gilfillan

Dear Friends of DVS:

I hope this finds you well and enjoying nature’s beauty in winter. I am grateful that each new year brings with it renewed intentions and the promise of a fresh start!

Speaking of a fresh start…DVS has some exciting things happening this year, and I welcome this opportunity to share our plans with you. After many successful Gala years, and much reflection, we’ve decided to go with a new approach to our fundraising, “friend-raising,” and awareness efforts for 2022.

We are planning a year-long slate of events and outreach under the theme: “Connect the Dots” – connecting the dots between DVS and our community partners and between domestic abuse and other forms of violence and oppression. We’ll provide multiple opportunities for you to join us in these efforts!

First, we will host two exciting yet informal social gatherings or “Mixers” for DVS supporters and potential supporters – one in the spring and one in the fall. The DVS Spring Mixer is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 5:30 – 7:30pm at the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum. To expand our reach, we will ask you to bring a potential new friend or supporter at no additional cost. At the Mixers, we’ll have the opportunity to get to know one another better - and learn about what is happening at DVS in a fun, indoor/outdoor venue with music, light food, and drinks.

Our second new engagement opportunity is DVS “Circles of Support” – informal circle conversations with companies, organizations, faith-based groups, retirement communities,

services partners, and other audiences that are interested in DVS. We will discuss ways that your group can join us.

Third, our Community Awareness Committee will expand their outreach efforts throughout the year. We’ll educate and raise awareness by offering lunch-and-learns, workshops, and hopefully, more in-person awareness events. We’ll also continue to show up at community events around the county to spread the word about domestic abuse and DVS services.

Sponsorships will be available and are key to our success! We will seek Business, Organizational and Individual Sponsorships for our year-long series of events – as a package. Sponsors will receive even more recognition than in the past, as they will be featured at the various events throughout the year.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who worked on the DVS Spring Gala committee over the years. This was a spectacularly successful event that raised hundreds of thousands of much-needed dollars for DVS! We are grateful to everyone involved with the Gala for their vision, commitment, hard work and enthusiasm, and we hope that you will join us in our new efforts.

We will be reaching out in the coming weeks to provide additional information and help you make your plans to join us. Please do not hesitate to contact me via email at CGilfillan@caplanc.org with any questions.

Wishing you safety and peace in your homes,

Christine Gilfillan

Thank You, DVS Donors!

Holiday Donors

Costco

Fulton Financial Corporation – Loan Operation

Highland Presbyterian Church Giving Tree

LCBC Church – Manheim

Lutheran Church of the Good Shephard

Moravian Manor Community Group

Project Linus

St. Leo’s Catholic Church

Trout CPA

Target Willow Valley Communities Tony & Sherry Chivinski

Mandi Smith

Moravian Manor Community Group

The Moravian Manor Community in Lititz, PA is consistent supporter throughout the year, going above and beyond to support our Safe House and Bridge House residents in multiple ways. From Mother’s Day to Christmas and all of those special occasions in between. We are very grateful for your generous support.

Newcomers and Neighbors

Thank you for collecting and delivering school supplies for the children at the Safe House!

Traditions of America

Thank you for supporting the children who stay at the safe house with school clothing, and pillow cases for the “good bye” bags they take with them. (pictured top left)

Truist Bank

Thank you for the welcome bags for adult survivors coming into the Safe House. (pictured top right)

Trout CPA

Thank you for the huge donation of pillows and blankets to offer comfort to our Safe House residents! (pictured bottom left)

DVS relies upon community donations to assist our clients and support our operations. We can do more because of your support! We appreciate you! We receive so many generous donations from groups, companies and individuals throughout the year, including donations received via our Amazon Wish List. We wish to thank everyone who donated for all of your donations, large and small. Every single one makes a difference!

If you wish to coordinate a donation, contact Angela Keen at akeen@caplanc.org.

Living the AmericanDream

My Teen/College Dating Abuse Experience

Survivor Story by Crystal M.

People go through many experiences in life. You learn many lessons through the experiences you go through. These lessons make you a better, stronger, and more informed person. Some are happy lessons while some are sad. Some experiences you may just ignore as irrelevant while others you take into your heart and let them overcome you. This is my experience having survived dating abuse as a college student.

When I decided to go to college I wanted to experience the “college life” that I saw on TV. I was able to get enough scholarship money that paid for my books and a year of on campus housing. I did not have a car to travel back and forth so I had to take the bus. I was a full-time student who worked two jobs. I thought I had everything planned out, but that was before I got into a serious dating relationship.

I started college in a dating relationship which made everything more difficult. He did not attend college and had no interest in going to college. He was not happy with the idea of me living on campus without him around. When they say “love is blind” it is a true statement. He gave me an ultimatum: if I stayed on campus we would not be together. At that time, I loved him. I also thought that I couldn’t find anyone else because I wasn’t pretty enough. So, every day I left campus after class and/or work to stay overnight at his mom’s house with him.

I struggled with low self-esteem and he didn’t

make it any better. Throughout this relationship he was verbally and emotionally abusive. He told me that I was fat and I wouldn’t find anyone better than him. When we argued he made comments about my weight. He told me, “You gained 50 pounds since we been together and you let yourself go.” Every time I ate a snack he said “you shouldn’t be eating that” and he took it from me.

During that time, I didn’t know much about emotional or verbal abuse. I thought abuse was only physical. No one talked about it with me.

I missed out on enjoying my college career and making friends. The only friend I had was my roommate who I barely saw. I wanted to join a sorority but he did not allow it. My grades in class were dropping because I wasn’t focused on my class assignments. I missed out on my college experience to make him happy. I put him before me and that was the biggest mistake of my life.

I wish I knew more about dating abuse at that time.

If I knew everything I know now, I would have ended the relationship much sooner than it ended. I let him destroy my confidence which took quite some time to rebuild. I will never again put a guy before me. My happiness comes first!

If you are a survivor and would like to share your story, visit caplanc.org/breakthesilence

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, call

text SAFE to

Welcome to the Team

Meet Aubrey, Isabella & Kim

Aubrey Garman works as a Resident Assistant at DVS, answering hotline and text line calls and helping Safe House residents. She reflected on the privilege of lis tening to a person’s story: “Many times, people not only need help, but also a listening ear and a caring heart. I hope to be that person.”

Aubrey relies on respect as a cornerstone of the work she does at DVS. “Each individual that calls on the ho tline or receives DV services has a personal story that deserves our utmost respect. Each individual is a person with choices, feelings, and beliefs. DVS does their best to respect the individual no matter the choices, the beliefs, or the story.”

Aubrey got involved with this work as a student majoring in Social Work at Millersville University. Throughout her studies, domestic violence was discussed and it caught her attention. She wants to be on the “front lines,” help ing those who experience abuse. Aubrey also recognizes that domestic violence impacts more than just individu als – it can contribute to breaking down the entire com munity. She encourages everyone to get involved.

Isabella Melito or Bella, is DVS’ new Children’s Activity Aide. She assists the Children’s Advocate with the imple mentation of psychoeducational groups, therapeutic ac tivities, direct care, supervision and guidance to children residing at the Safe House.

Bella is Social Work major at Millersville University. She hopes to acquire personal and professional experience while offering genuine care for the well-being of children who live at the Safe House. In addition, Bella hopes to make a positive impact on each child and adult resident by supporting their individual empowerment and offering compas sion because [she believes] it will help them gain strength and confidence.

Kim Webb works as a Resident Assistant at DVS, answering hotline and text line calls and helping Safe House residents. In this role, Kim hopes that she can be a friendly face for staff and individuals living in the Safe House.

As a senior majoring in Psychology at Millersville University, Kim is applying her education to “em power individuals who may not feel empowered - as a major step in one’s journey to becoming the best version of themselves that they can be.”

Kim wants to encourage the community to join us in this work. “Helping does not need to be expensive, time consuming or laborious. Even simply sharing newsletters from us on social media and getting our word out to the public is helpful. Simply by bringing awareness to others around you that we exist can support us.”

DVS is excited to have Aubrey Garman, Isabella Mlito and Kim Webb join our team and share their rich experience with those we serve in the community.

Aubrey Garman

Isabella Melito

Kim Webb

WITH MUCH GRATITUDE

Thank you, MARTY, for your commitment to DVS and the families we have served.

Marty has contributed to our program in so many ways for more than 20 years! She has provided books and activities used as part of our trauma-informed curriculum. She has been a faithful and constant gardener at the Safe House.

Marty has even helped with some DIY Projects like painting the Children’s Wing Library, making curtains for the Children’s Wing and donating tables and chairs and other items. Her consistent presence has comforted many children at the DVS Safe House.

We are so very grateful the many gifts of time, talent and resources you have offered our families.

Donation Needs

• Personal Care Products (full-sized bottles)

• Sanitary Pads (with wings) all sizes

• Undergarments all sizes

• Children’s Diapers (sizes: 4, 5, 6)

• Children’s Pull Ups

• Infant supplies (pacifiers, bottles, baby monitors, infant clothes and toys)

Did you know that we supply our children living in our Safe House with school uniforms when they enroll at the School District of Lancaster? We do - and we need your help with stocking those uniform separates:

Pants/Skirts/Skorts

Colors: Navy, Tan, Khaki Sizes: Boys Long pants 4, 5, 6, 8 and 16 Girls Long pants or skirt sizes 4, 5, 6, 8 and 16

Long Sleeve Shirts

Colors: Navy or White Youth Sizes: S, M, L and XL

Sweatshirts

Color: Navy Youth Sizes: S, M, L and XL

Short Sleeve Polo Shirts

Colors: Navy or White Youth Sizes: S and L

Volunteer Opportunities & Domestic Violence Advocate Training

Did you know that DVS team members, interns and direct services volunteers are re quired to complete a 45-Hour Domestic Violence Advocate training? Twenty (20) hours are completed online at your own pace, followed by 20 hours of live group training (in person or online). When these hours are completed each participant completes five (5) hours of hands-on observation with the DVS team. The training is offered two times each year, in the spring and the fall. Follow us on social media and join our electronic mailing list for updates. Contact Angela Keen, Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, at akeen@caplanc.org to learn more.

Commitment is what transforms a promise into a reality

-Abraham Lincoln

If you would like to continue to receive VOICES, please email Angela Keen at AKeen@caplanc.org to confirm your digital/ email subscription.

DVS Advisory Committee

Kristy Aurand

Heidi Bair

Brian Nguyen

Frank Christoffel, III

Forrest Collier

Jennifer DiCola

Christine Gilfillan

Linda Gort

Dana Gulick

Angela Keen

Vanessa Philbert

Thank You For Your Support

Artwork made by children living in our Safe House.

Gifts to DVS - CAPLanc.org/donate is a convenient way to support DVS. The official registration and financial information of the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County, Inc. may be obtained from the PA Dept. of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

www.caplanc.org/dvs P: 717-299-9677

Email: DVSinfo@caplanc.org

Toll Free Hotline: 717-299-1249 OR Text SAFE to 61222