The Advocates Newsletter - September 2020

INSPIRATION + OPPORTUNITIES + CONNECTION SEPTEMBER 2020

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER

go back to school, and find long-term housing. All use this time to reflect and heal.

BY COLLEEN CLARK, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING MANAGER

There can be misconceptions about the program and the people that live here. The tenants work, pay rent and their own bills, and are actively moving toward All apartments are pet friendly. independence. The average length of stay is nine months and 100% of clients report being more stable, happier and safer after participating in the transitional housing program.

It is meaningful to witness the “ordinary moments” in our Transitional Housing tenants’ lives. Brené Brown states, “joy comes to us in the ordinary moments” and surely this place feels joyful. A mother teaching her son how to ride a bike, water balloon fights in the yard, smells of cooking in the hallways, new jobs, obtaining a green card, the end of a long divorce, and gaining the confidence to ask for a raise.

The four walls that create a home hold joy and laughter, but also stress, fear and grief. It is a gift to be let in and hold space with another human when they are vulnerable. As an Advocate, I am a resource connector, an educator, and a student. We learn from the clients, each other, and from our community. I love that this work is actionable, creative, and connecting.

I am often asked, “What is Transitional Housing all about?”

The Advocates’ Transitional Housing program is a “spring board” into self-identified next steps. It is an apartment community that provides a stable home free of abuse, which is necessary for survivors to flourish. Clients participate in weekly or bi-weekly meetings to determine their goals. They work to pay off debt, get higher paying jobs,

Sharing a cup of tea is a great way to connect.

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The Advocates receives incredible support from our community. Financial donations from local individuals

WE FACE TWO PRESSING SYSTEMATIC ISSUES. ONE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO WORK 40 HOURS A WEEK, BE AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBER, AND STILL NOT AFFORD OUR LOCAL HOUSING MARKETS. TWO, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS UNFORTUNATELY A PREVALENT ISSUE IN OUR VALLEY. built our transitional housing. We get weekly calls asking to donate directly to the clients to help make a house a home, from beds and sheets to kitchen items and more. The Advocates is fortunate to have 116 volunteers who donated 1,678 hours of service last year. Anything worthwhile takes either time, money or skill and this community gives us all three.

As I write this, new sod is being laid, and the finishing touches are being placed on the final six transitional housing apartments. I am gearing up to speak with the 12 candidates on our wait list, and I am honored to be a stop on their journey.

208.788.4191

24-HOUR SUPPORT AND SERVICES

THE FUTURE OF OUR VALLEY THE ADVOCATES’ SUMMER INTERNS Five college and high school students were selected to participate in The Advocates’ Summer Internship program. Interns help with the teen education program, social media, Bloom Truck activities and peer-to-peer education. Here are some reasons they wanted to work at The Advocates:

Inspiring young people are making a positive impact though The Advocates.

I chose to volunteer with The Advocates because they helped me and my family a lot in the past and I wanted to return the favor.

ANA: I wanted to intern with The Advocates because of the work that they do within the community and the outreach that they show for minorities within the Wood River Valley.

MARIELLE: It allows me to make a positive change in the world.

DIANA: After being an Every Teen Counts youth activist, I decided to continue my role through the summer.

HENNESSEY: I want to be a part of the process that disrupts cycles of violence and to act with compassion.

JOSEPH: I want to contribute to our community to make it a better place.

JOSHUA: The Advocates helped me and my family a lot in the past and I wanted to return the favor for all the help they gave us.

JUSTIN: They helped my family when we really needed it and they’ve done so much to help my cousins, friends and many others. I wanted to give back their generosity.

SHIVA: I wanted to devote my time to a place where it would help the most people.

SURVIVORS FIND CONNECTION & GROWTH During the pandemic, we learned that in periods of extreme change, the need for connection increases.

It was important to quickly figure out how to help clients navigate the new environment and ensure they continue to receive support as their needs evolve. The Advocates shifted English and Spanish support groups from in person to Zoom, offering survivors a way to get and give support to each other. Thanks to a new online learning tool in our English Language class, 20 people now have the opportunity to be understood. Because nourishment for our bodies is important as ever, we’re offering a new Cooking Class in partnership with Lookout Farms for

clients to create and share a healthy meal together.

And, because the bills still have to get paid, Skills For Success and SAMEE (Smart About Money Economic Empowerment) moved online and added 52 new participants over the last six months. They saved $31,157 and The Advocates was able to increase the matching amount from 1:1 to 1:1.5.

“The course gave me new tools. I want to keep learning, building my credit, and saving money.

I see myself differently now.”

GET HELP OR GIVE HOPE AT THEADVOCATESORG.ORG

TOGETHER WE CAN

SHELTER

WISHLIST

LOCAL BUSINESSES CONTRIBUTE Over the last six months, the increase in demand for services has been matched by the outpouring of support from our community. Several businesses teamed up with us, finding creative ways to help.

LOOKOUT FARMS IS OFFERING free local produce delivered weekly in the summer to nourish our clients’ bodies.

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“We know that to heal from abuse it is important to heal your body and your mind. When we heard that eating healthy is something that many clients put on their list of goals, we were thrilled to be able to help.” - Simon Neely & Brianna Swette

Gently used vehicle- our Tahoe is pushing 300,000 miles!

Full size shampoo & conditioner Full size lotion Diapers, size 3, 4 & 5 Toilet paper in bulk Cleaning Supplies Vacuums Tampons and Pads New or in good condition adult backpacks (10) Gift cards (haircuts, iTunes, local restaurants, Starbucks, Amazon, movie passes) New laptops (or in very good condition) Blenders Food Processor InstaPot

LATHAM INTERIORS REACHED OUT in March and asked, “what do clients need?” We shared that they need to feel safe and comfortable. Sarah’s team donated a variety of new cozy blankets—with a sweet note of encouragement—to each family staying at The Advocates.

“Now more than ever, community matters.”

- Sarah Latham

HEIDI SINNOTT AND CAROLINE PERSOHN WANTED to find a way to help people get rid of furniture they didn’t want or didn’t have space for at Good Riddance, their local organizing, consulting and consignment business.

Our clients were in need of furnishings for their new transitional housing apartments, and a light bulb went off. Now, Heidi and Caroline work closely with The Advocates’ staff to coordinate furniture donations.

UPCOMING

EVENTS If These Walls Could Talk Thursday, November 12 Learn about the breadth and depth of the services we provide to the community and how you can get involved as a donor, volunteer, or ambassador.

“Giving back to our community is one of our favorite things about being business owners.” - Heidi Sinnott and Caroline Persohn

Skills for Success Employment Program Starting Monday, Oct 5 Eleven weeks of job & life skills classes to gain successful employment.

To sign up or for more information about either of these events, contact Susan Fierman at 208.788.4191 or susan@theadvocatesorg.org.

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SUPPORT THE ATTIC! DID YOU KNOW THE ATTIC PROVIDES 25% OF OUR OPERATING INCOME?

As a shopper or donor to The Attic, you are directly funding year-round programing and advocacy for survivors of abuse. This includes empowerment programs, youth prevention education, support groups, crisis shelter and more!

208.788.4191

24-HOUR SUPPORT AND SERVICES

THEADVOCATESORG.ORG

208.788.4191

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Julie Stanek, President Krista Anderson-Copperman, Vice President Stephanie Reed, Secretary Neil Siegel, Treasurer Diane Banta Bill Boeger Dayna Buxton Cate Cox Quin Curran Liz Kantor Karl Krekow Rebecca Neeley Laura Rose-Lewis Kathryn Schneider, MD Hillary Whipple, DMD

DEAR FRIENDS, We are grateful for the many ways The Advocates received support from, you, our community, during this time of rebounding. We are helping 21% more adult clients than usual. The pandemic impacted many financially, and reports of domestic abuse increased as well.

Due to the dedication of our staff, your generosity, and the resilience of our clients, we are meeting requests for assistance and services.

From adjusting to remote programming (our doors are open now) to in-person services; adapting the Black & White Soirée (which raises 25% of our annual operating income) to a successful “Color our World” fundraiser; and finishing the final phase of our 22-apartment Transitional Housing building project, we pivoted to meet the new demands and environment.

Despite these challenges, the future looks bright. The Advocates’ Board of Directors and staff are engaged in ongoing scenario planning to continue a positive recovery. With patience, determination, and an abundance of gratitude, we are adapting and thriving thanks to the help of this incredible community.

In Gratitude­­—

Tricia Swartling, CEO