ALSO INSIDE: HAVEN’S Beth Morrison Women and heart health Diet and exercise advice Featured on our cover: Karen Black, Peggy Davis and Jana Olson of LaVida Massage A publication of the Spinal Column Newsweekly
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Peggy Davis (seated at left), CEO of LaVida Massage; Karen Black (standing), marketing director; and Jana Olson, lead therapist at the Commerce Township location. 6 WEST OAKLAND WOMEN | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
Ambition and dream realized Peggy Davis’ service-based model has resulted in 50 LaVida Massage Centers
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By Leslie Shepard
staff writer
aking risks is what entrepreneurs do, and Peggy Davis is no exception. For years, the LaVida Massage Franchise Development, Inc. CEO and CFO worked as an accountant in a large firm, but her ambition and dream to build a franchise model has paid off now that she has built an empire of massage therapy centers. Now LaVida has franchised a bevy of massage centers across the country, including one located at 3050 Union Lake Road in Commerce Township, as well as one in Canada. "We researched different businesses and wanted a service-based model that couldn't be outsourced over the Internet," Davis said. "We found that massage was one of the fastest growing industries and opened our first center in Brighton in 2007." Since that time, 40 such centers have sprouted up and are running, and 10 are currently under construction. "We have centers in 19 different states, including one in Canada," Davis said. "We have 12 in Michigan, the biggest concentration."
MAY 2012 | WEST OAKLAND WOMEN 7
The LaVida Massage location at 3050 Union Lake Road in Commerce Township.
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lients can bask in the tranquility of a therapeutic massage at LaVida, a haven of relaxation for your muscles and mind. The center is decorated with natural hues like sage, amber and taupe. Artwork, including floral renditions and 3-D sculptures, dots the walls. Cultured stone lines the reception area accented by cherry and walnut woods. Aromatic — but never overpowering — scents waft through each corridor of the spas. The 13 massage rooms on site are designed with tranquility in mind. Therefore, LaVida uses only environmentally-sensitive materials and finishes throughout the centers. Customers can take solace in the soothing natural elements that envelop them while the fusion of Eastern and Indian rhythms play gently in the background. Just an hour at LaVida Massage, in the capable hands of its professional massage therapists, is sure to leave you rejuvenated and refreshed. If you're searching for a relaxing environment that promises wellness benefits and caters to the entire family, then LaVida Massage is just the place for you. Clients experience the profound effects of massage on the body, mind and life affordably with a variety of options. "'La vida' means 'the life' in Spanish, so people feel they are living the good life, but it doesn't mean they must purchase a membership 8 WEST OAKLAND WOMEN | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
for life: We have a month-to-month membership," Davis said. LaVida offers competitive prices and attractive packages, especially its exclusive membership with reduced fees and the unique opportunity to share a membership within the family. If a spouse joins LaVida, he or she is entitled to an hour massage per month at a discounted rate. However, if he or she does not have the time or just wants to pass it along, he or she can "transfer" membership to a family member at no additional cost. With the "shared membership" policy, everyone can take advantage of the proven health benefits of therapeutic massage and enjoy customized massage sessions. Appointments can be booked over the phone or online, and are available seven days a week. "We all recognize the health benefits of therapeutic massage," Davis said. "We have spent years cultivating and perfecting the personal interaction that accompanies our expert massage services. We don't just sell services or even products. At LaVida, we build relationships, and the result has been a loyal and growing client base." avis' sharp accounting mind has paved the way for LaVida's success. Apart from working for a large accounting firm for six years, she also managed a family-owned retail business for six years before starting the franchise. With Davis overseeing the financial side of the operation as CFO, the franchise boomed.
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MAY 2012 | WEST OAKLAND WOMEN 9
The staff at LaVida Massage’s Commerce Township location (from left to right) includes Jessica Trice; Jessica Aldrich; Theresa Fidalgo; Halie Miller; Deanna Goodwin, lead therapist; Amanda Henig, esthetician; Wanjiku Kamuyu; Kelly George; Lauren Burns, manager; Candice Mendez; and Karen Black, marketing director, who all follow the LaVida model of building relationships with their customers. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photos/Amy K. Lockard)
"We are membership-based. The goal is to get signed up and come in once a month, which keeps the toxins out of your muscles," Davis said. Today LaVida is experiencing substantial growth by continuing to expand its operations every year. "What sets us apart is that we're gender-friendly," Davis said. "We're open seven days a week with extended hours, and we are affordable and convenient." Currently there are over 800 members at the Commerce location. "It's a super fast-growing industry, although it may be growing more quickly in different parts of the country," Davis said. 'The memberships help people make that commitment to wellness." At LaVida, massage is considered more of a necessity than a luxury. "Essentially it's wellness vs. luxury," Davis said. "It's something you can do to enjoy (yourself) while reaping the physical benefits." ach client is privy to a 50 minute hands-on massage session with a licensed, expert therapist in a beautiful and well-appointed Center with the option to add other spa and esthetic services as well. Clients can select from various types of massages: Relaxation; deep tissue; couples massage; hot stone; Swedish; pre-natal; and oncological therapies. Massage therapy benefits includes reducing stress; decreasing anxiety; soothing sore muscles; enhancing sleep quality; improving circulation and
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10 WEST OAKLAND WOMEN | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
flexibility; relieving tension headaches; improving posture; lowering blood pressure; improving pain management; lessening discomfort during pregnancy; strengthening immune systems; and enhancing post-operative rehabilitation. The range of esthetic services includes facials, peels, scrubs and waxing. "We use GlyMed Plus products like DermaMed Elite, an ultrasonic machine that pulls out impurities from the pores and builds collagen, as well as stem cell science power serum that targets the face and neck and empowers cells to act younger for younger looking skin," Davis said. he Commerce location is one of only two centers that offers colon hydrotherapy handled by a nutritionist on staff. It is one program to cleanse the colon. As an added component, a staff nutrionist can help incorporate a healthy diet into your lifestyle for improved digestion. Each therapist and technician employed by LaVida Massage is certified and uses the most advanced techniques and cutting edge equipment in the industry. Lead therapist Jana Olson has been a massage therapist for over 20 years and currently hires, coordinates, and instructs LaVida massage therapists on staff. She is also a member of the Michigan Massage Board who has been active in advocating for legislation to ensure every massage therapist in the state must be certified to perform massages. "We drafted the law and it is expected to be introduced this week to the
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LaVida’s Olson (left), Black, and Davis (right) consider massage as more of a necessity than a luxury. "Essentially it's wellness vs. luxury," Davis said. "It's something you can do to enjoy (yourself) while reaping the physical benefits." (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
(state) House of Representatives," Olson said. "We've been working on this legislation since 2009." As a veteran in the industry, she cited numerous benefits to routine massage treatments. "It adds longevity of life, better range of motion, alleviates aches and pains and flushes out toxins from the body," she said. While she says the most popular massages are deep tissue or hot stone, there's a treatment available that's just right for everyone. "For the pregnant woman who has routine massages, her baby will have less colic and will sleep better through the night because mom and baby are more calm," Olson noted. lson said there are plans to roll out the massage therapy of Ashiatsu in the near future. "This type of massage is where the massage therapist holds onto an Oriental bar and uses the feet and weight distribution to broaden and strip muscles with the same type of results as deep tissue (massage) without the pain," she said. She added that sports massages wake up the muscles and gets them ready for activity by improving blood flow. "We have a lot of teens and athletes that enjoy this type of massage," Olson noted. Deep tissue massage targets painful areas to alleviate pain and give more
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12 WEST OAKLAND WOMEN | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
range of motion, while Swedish massage is primarily used for relaxation and hot stone massages deliver heat for comfort and relaxation. Lastly, reflexology is delivered via hands and feet and is applied to certain pressure points to loosen tissues around the organs. "It clears out clogged pathways/meridians through energy passed through the whole body that correlates with different organs," she said. nlike a typical spa or massage facility, sessions are scheduled with flexibility in mind, but remain goal-oriented, with variations on the techniques to meet each client's needs. For example, if a client has specific aches and pains, stresses, or health issues, those are all addressed in advance, reviewed with the therapist to ensure that each client receives the right treatment to meet those needs. The therapist is often both a mentor and a friend whose role is to help guide the individual on the path to realize his or her health and well-being goals. "Ultimately it's up to the client what they get," Olson said. "We go by what they tell us, even though we are trained and know what the client's body needs. People are pretty good at telling us their health issues." The LaVida Massage Center Commerce Township location's hours are Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call 248-366-4611 or visit their website at Commerce.MI.LaVidaMassage.com. âœż
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MAY 2012 | WEST OAKLAND WOMEN 13
Consider the powerful perks of coffee Recent studies reveal the benefits in a cup or two of Joe o friends and family refuse to speak to you until you've had that "Caffeine improves cognitive performance. Depending on the dose first cup of coffee each morning? Do you keep a secret stash of and duration, it enhances central nervous system functions of gourmet beans in the back of the cupboard for special occasions? Are alertness, vigilance and arousal, and it reduces fatigue." Coughlin said. you on a first name basis with your local barista? When seeking a midday boost, moderation is key. Drinking small You're not alone. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans drink coffee, and the amounts of coffee frequently throughout the day works more average adult gets two to four jolts of java each day. effectively to keep you awake and alert than consuming a large quantity at the start of the day. In fact, coffee consumption comes in just behind soda and water, Coffee can have a big impact on mood, as well. In moderate making it the third most consumed beverage in the United States. And contrary to what you may have heard, that cup of Joe you had on the amounts, coffee has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety. way to work this morning may be doing more good than you know. "Caffeine increases the body's capacity for muscular work and Sure, it's a great pick-me-up, but research indicates that you may exercise," Coughlin said. "It relaxes smooth muscle, especially find more than a quick boost of energy at the bottom of your cup. bronchial muscle, and even produces a slightly higher metabolic rate." Moderate amounts of coffee can have a positive impact on the That's not all: "Research has shown that there's a whole group of heart, the digestive system and mood, as well as reduce the risk of diseases where coffee may have a protective effect," Coughlin said. "We're not only talking about athletic and mental performance, we're certain cancers. talking about real diseases." "Perhaps no substance has been the subject of more conflicting Studies show that moderate Recent studies indicate that regular, moderate coffee media and scientific reports in recent years than caffeine," said toxicologist Dr. James Coughlin, spokesperson for the National Coffee amounts of coffee can have a consumption reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, positive impact on the heart, cirrhosis of the liver, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's, he said. Association, the leading trade organization for the coffee industry in In addition, coffee is a prime source for antioxidants, which have the United States. "The good news is that most of the bad news you're the digestive system and the mood, as well as reducing been hearing is wrong. There are actually some very nice beneficial been linked to lower rates of heart disease and cancer. In fact, the risk of certain cancers. effects of coffee consumption." Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other Coffee is a mixture of more than 2,000 substances, including biologically active dietary source, surpassing even fruits and vegetables. It doesn't take much — just one or two cups a day can be beneficial. ✿ compounds, antioxidants, and caffeine. Research shows that, unlike artificially — Creators News Service caffeinated beverages like soda, coffee has plenty of powerful perks.
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In appreciation of you, mom Tina Liu chosen as winner of our first-ever Mother’s Day Contest By Leslie Shepard staff writer
he bond between a mother and her child is exemplified by the instinctive way a swan hisses and attacks to defend her eggs or cygnets; a lioness dodges danger and tirelessly travels long distances to feed her cubs; a woman, fending off exhaustion, coos to and cradles her infant as it wails through the wee hours of the morning. Mothers tend to their children's physical and emotional needs, often while making great sacrifices. Many women view their maternal roles as quasiteachers who prepare each child to leave the nest as productive, happy adults. In honor of Mother's Day, the Spinal Column Newsweekly held a contest in which participants submitted essays expounding on their mothers' outstanding qualities. After reading numerous entries, the grand prize was awarded to Tina Liu of West Bloomfield Township, thanks to the essay submitted by her 16-year-old daughter, Patricia Liu. Tina sacrificed her home, immediate family, and her way of life as she knew it in the People's Republic of China to start over in the U.S., knowing she wanted to raise a family in a free country, one filled with opportunity and promise. Tina was born and raised in Anshan, China, along with three sisters. Her family, like many in the country, fell victim to extreme poverty. "My parents and us (children) all lived in an apartment that had one double bed, one bunk bed in the one bedroom," Tina said. "It was very crowded and we were very poor. I remember my mom bought us a sweater once that we all had to share." The Chinese government apportioned tickets for food rations every month depending on how many were in the family, a meager sustenance that did not go far. "We received five pounds of rice, five pounds of meat and one pound of flour and sugar for the month," Tina explained. "We got no milk, and no bread at all. Our family income was about $20 U.S. per month." Tina was raised to see the value of an education, so she worked hard and attended Shandong University, where she met her future husband. She continued her studies and graduated with a medical degree, and for five years she worked as an obstetrician. "She has told me countless times the reasons she loved her job so much there, the reward of being able to give the gift of life to deserving people," Patricia said of her mother. Tina and her husband soon decided together to leave their homeland and move to North America. "It was 1990, we were 25-years-old and everybody was talking about North America and how much better (of a) country, (how much) better (of a) life it was there, so we applied for a visa," Tina said.
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inally, in 1994, they landed on North American soil in Windsor, Canada, where Tina's husband was admitted as an international student at the University of Windsor. "It was kind of scary and exciting. We didn't know what kind of life we'd
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16 WEST OAKLAND WOMEN | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
Patricia Liu (left) and her mother, Tina Liu of West Bloomfield Township.
have. We both couldn't speak, but could read, English, so we had to go to school all over again," Tina said. "Although some of the credits transferred, it took us another three years to complete our medical degrees." Tina became pregnant during her second stint of college studies, while living in Canada. "I delivered newspapers, worked as a waitress, and my husband worked as a dishwasher," she said. "We had no car. I either rode a bicycle to work or took the bus." Both Tina and her husband eventually landed jobs with Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit as research scientists. "We both sacrificed because, if we stayed in China, we could have (been) clinical doctors relating with patients, but now we are in research because of the language barrier," Tina noted.
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year after Patricia was born, Tina gave birth to a second daughter, Annie, but it was only about three and a half years ago that the family moved to West Bloomfield after finally receiving their Green Cards. Tina said through her life she has come to define her role as a mother by instilling a good work ethic and a positive attitude into her children, regardless of their circumstances. "I always want to be a good mother and be a good example everywhere," Tina said. "I try to teach my children what I know, and learn from them, also. What's important is working hard and being caring toward people. I also tell them to have long-term goals, be independent, and work hard every day. I push them to work hard." Patricia sees the mother she admires in the details of daily life. "As I grow up, I realize I'm becoming more appreciative of my parents and want to put that down on paper," Patricia said. "Some things you take for granted. My mom makes me and my sister full breakfasts every morning and is always taking care of us, health-wise. She helps us with homework even if she's busy, too. It's the little things you learn to appreciate. "Not only has she been my role model since the day I was born, setting a
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prime example of what diligence and perseverance truly is, but she is my best friend. She is always giving me advice that reveals her nature and positive attitude. She has proven her endless love and support to me with modesty and a humble heart," Patricia said. Despite Tina's arduous journey, she doesn't bother dwelling on the past. Instead, she believes in living for and striving toward a bright future, and drives that message home to her children. "I'm so glad we made the decision to move and stay in this country," Tina said. "I wanted to watch my children grow up here. We have a happy life and family, understand each other, and work hard to make our life better. I have no regrets." ina won a myriad of prizes as a result of our Mother's Day contest, including a $100 gift certificate to The Root Restaurant & Bar in White Lake Township; a watch from Ronnie's Jewelry and Loans in Waterford Township; a $25 gift certificate from Complete Beauty Supply Hair & Nail spa in West Bloomfield; a three-hour house cleaning provided by Housekeeping Associates of Michigan; a hanging basket of flowers from Melvin's Ace Hardware in Walled Lake; a gift certificate for a haircut and wax from Salon Tease in Walled Lake; and a $10 gas card, and a free haircut from Elle Studio in Novi. âœż
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The most important woman in our lives A snapshot of some of the mothers nominated for contest consideration Name: Joanie Wozny Residence: Wixom Nominated by: Kimberly Cheaney
Name: Mandy Kocsis Residence: White Lake Nominated by: Carly Kocsis
Name: Naomi Chapman Residence: Milford Nominated by: Sarah Chapman
Continued on page 20 18 WEST OAKLAND WOMEN | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
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Educate yourself Women and heart disease: What you really need to know espite popular belief, heart disease is not just a man's disease. In fact, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. Nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease and stroke than from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. But there is hope. Educating yourself on what risk factors exist for women will help you control your own heart health. The following is a list of questions I am frequently asked by my patients. Q: What are the risk factors for heart disease you can’t Pitone-Lipkin control? A: Increased age for starters, as the risk of heart disease goes up as we get older. There are also heredity (family history) conditions to consider. Women are more likely to develop heart disease if their close blood relatives also suffer from the condition. Additionally, if you have suffered from a previous heart attack, then you have a far higher risk of having another. Q: What risk factors can be modified, treated or controlled by focusing on lifestyle habits and taking medicine, if needed? A: A significant risk factor is smoking. Smoking is a major cause of CVD for women. High cholesterol and blood pressure are also big causes that can be looked at and treated. Diabetes tremendously increases the risk of heart disease. Yet strict control of your diabetes will be beneficial to your heart health. In addition, women should think about becoming more physically active. Doing so will help control obesity and other weight issues. Q: What are the warning signs of a heart attack? A: Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest. Sometimes this discomfort can feel like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Some people experience shortness of breath, nausea and lightheadedness. Arm heaviness and discomfort in the neck and jaw or between the shoulder blades are also signs; however, they are less typical symptoms. Q: Do the warning signs of a heart attack for women differ from that of men? A: As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. Yet, women are more likely than men to experience other symptoms as well, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, back or jaw pain, and fatigue. Q: What should you do if you are experiencing any of these symptoms? A: Call 9-1-1 right away. Do not wait to see if you will start feeling better. Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get treatment. Emergency medical services staff are trained to handle these situations. Now that we are armed with this knowledge, what is the first step to achieving heart health? You need to know and understand the numbers that matter most to your health. According to the American Heart Association, the following numbers can help you and your doctor determine your risks and mark the progress you're making toward a healthier lifestyle. Total cholesterol should be less than 200mg/dL. Blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mmHg. Try to achieve a healthy weight for your frame. Recommended body mass index (BMI) is less than 25 Kg/M2 with waist circumference less than 35 inches. Exercise routine should be a minimum of 30 minutes five to seven days a week. As the primary caretakers, women often neglect their own wellbeing for that of their family members. Remember to take time out to de-stress and care for yourself. Your health is the most important asset you have. To find a healthcare provider in your area, please call 1-888-DMC-2500. ✿ By Kathryn Pitone-Lipkin, D.O.
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Jog to better health It may be easier than you think s leisurely exercise, with real benefits, even possible? It is with jogging. Not as fast-paced or as hard on the knees as running and involving more exertion than walking, jogging is like running at a tamer, more personal pace. As an aerobic exercise, it allows the chance to enjoy scenery, with cardiovascular benefits that affect the heart, lungs, muscles and bones. But how do you get started? With an easy pace. "Don't be afraid to walk," said Mark Bransky, a personal trainer. An example of a great routine to get started is to walk for four minutes and jog for one minute. Repeat this, eventually adding a minute to jogging and taking away a minute from walking. Standing straight without too much overarching helps you avoid hip pain, according to JogNRun.com. Also, keeping your eyes forward as much as possible helps with your posture. Lifting your front knee and extending your back leg stretches your leg muscles. A good pair of shoes makes jogging a more enjoyable experience while helping save knees from wear and tear. Shoes should not be flat-footed," Bransky said. "They should have arch and ankle support." The location for jogging also can help with physical safety and turn up the workout. Bransky advises jogging on soft surfaces, such as grass or hard sand, for a better jog that's also nice to knees. Finding an enjoyable route that has great scenery or leads to a favorite shop can also motivate someone. If there's a useful goal in mind, then it isn't hard to add a little jog. Remember to warm up and stretch before beginning to exercise, and breathe throughout. Get cleared by a doctor if there are any concerns, and take it easy. ✿ — Creators News Service
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Addressing acai Is ‘superfood’ too good to be true? he acai (ah-sigh-EE') — a new "superfood." Given the claims — fast and effortless weight loss, reduced wrinkles, bolstered immune system, enhanced sexual desire — it's small wonder acai has been embraced enthusiastically by nutrition faddists. Native to Central America and South America, the purple berry-like fruit is a relative of the blueberry and cranberry, and like them, it's high in antioxidants. Scientists believe that eating five to seven servings of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables every day lowers the risk of cancer and heart disease. Consumed in beverages or mixed with granola or tapioca, the fruit has long been a staple in Brazil. In the past few years, it has become increasingly popular in North America and beyond Acai may be good for you, but it's not as a dietary supplement taken in all it's cracked up to be. capsule, powder, pulp and juice forms. "It's even found in beauty products, such as facial creams," said dietitian Keri Gans, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "This is what happens when something is widely touted and very well-marketed as a superfood. But whenever one food is singled out as the answer to all your nutrition needs, it's always too good to be true. There are no human or animal studies that support the claims for acai." No one is saying it can't be part of a well-balanced, nutritious diet, but there are caveats, according to Gans. "The best way to get nutrients is to eat foods in their whole form, not as supplements," said the dietitian. One of the biggest downfalls in any weight-loss program is the dieter's feeling hungry between meals, for example. Satiety, the feeling of being comfortably full, is a natural human desire that can play havoc with a hungry dieter's good intentions, according to nutritionists. "If you feel fuller and this prevents you from eating after a short period or overeating at the next meal, you're ahead of the game," Gans said. She offers a simple formula that focuses on fiber, protein and fats, all of which take more time to digest and keep you comfortably full longer. "Overall, your meals or snacks should be high in fiber," Gans said. "Fiber in whole-wheat pasta, breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables takes longer to digest, helps stabilize blood sugar and gives you a feeling of fullness." Then combine some protein with your meals. Add milk to your cereal. "The protein in the milk takes longer to digest than cereal alone," she said. Also include some protein with your snacks. "If you have a piece of fruit and you have it with yogurt, it will take longer to digest," Gans said. Healthy fats — such as those in olive oil, almonds and avocados — help you control hunger, as well. "More energy is exerted to digest fats, and people who consume fat with meals are more easily satiated," Gans said. Fats also contribute to the good taste and enjoyment of foods. Losing or controlling weight and staying satiated is a one-two-three proposition: • Choose high-fiber foods for meals and snacks. • Combine protein with carbohydrates to keep you full longer. • Add healthy fats in the diet to keep you satiated. ✿ — Creators News Service
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By Michael Shelton staff writer
eth Morrison has spent eight years as president and CEO of HAVEN of Oakland County, an organization dedicated to addressing and preventing domestic violence and sexual assault along with assisting victims of those crimes. Morrison has spent the past 30 years doing her part to address these issues in positions ranging from a children's therapist to a rape counselor and a crisis line operator. Born in northern Michigan, Morrison obtained her bachelor's degree in Family Relations from Central Michigan University before heading west to get her master's degree from the University of Arizona. A Bloomfield Hills resident, Morrison started at HAVEN as the senior director of programs, but was promoted to the highest position in the organization just nine months later. SCN: For those who may not know, please tell us what HAVEN is and what services it provides? How did you become involved with HAVEN? BM: HAVEN is Oakland County's center for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault. We provide a wide range of services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, from a 24-7 crisis line and a domestic violence shelter. We do individual and group counseling for adults and children for people who are in our shelter and maybe don't need shelter at all but need some counseling services. We offer a court advocacy program where we can work with survivors who are navigating the court system as it relates to their victimization. We have a response team, a group of staff and trained volunteers who go out to local emergency rooms, law enforcement agencies, schools, employers, and places where other people are meeting with a victim that might need some help and support. We have a forensic examination program where we provide forensic evidence collection, as well as crisis counseling in support for individuals after they've been sexually assaulted. We also have prevention education programming, where we go out into the school systems, preschool through 12-grade, and talk with students about the issues of domestic and sexual violence in age-appropriate ways. We also have an office at the circuit court building where we assist individuals who are in need of a personal protection order. I've been working in the field for over 30 years, I started out as a student at Central Michigan University volunteering at the newly opened domestic violence shelter there back in the late '70s and I just really got turned on to the issues in the sense that I recognize that, one; I as a woman was vulnerable to becoming a victim myself of either domestic violence or sexual assault, and then I also really got angry and frustrated by the injustice of the violence against women and children. Certainly in the '70s there were very few laws and remedies and very few services available to individuals who had been victimized, and I just felt that maybe I could be part of the solution. So over the years, I've held a number of different types of jobs and careers within the field of violence against women and children and eventually made my way to HAVEN about eight and a half years ago. SCN: Tell us how addressing domestic violence, sexual assault and rape became
B
your mission. Have you been affected by it personally? How have you been affected by those things while being involved with HAVEN? BM: I would say there's hardly any individual out there who in some way or another hasn't been impacted by domestic violence or sexual assault. In Michigan, it's estimated that at least 1 in 3 Michigan households are impacted by these crimes, directly or indirectly. I have had a number of family members who have been assaulted in either domestic or sexual violence. As a woman, I've certainly been exposed to a fair amount of sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behavior, and obviously, working in the field for 30 years, I can't help but be touched and impacted by probably at this point thousands of individuals I've had the opportunity to meet or maybe even work with who have been victims. It's so rewarding to be able to see an individual in crisis be able to find their voice and gain strength and live life without violence, and watching some of that happen and sometimes being a part of that happening. I think it's also been rewarding for me having been in the field for a long time to be able to see love enacted and see the community rally together, to be able to see systems put in place, and to be able to support survivors. It's been exciting to have been able to observe and be a part of that over the years. SCN: It's no surprise that most domestic violence and rapes occur against women. There are cases where women are afraid to come forward due to scrutiny by others or threats of subsequent violence. From your experience, how prevalent is that? How does HAVEN encourage women who are victims to stand up and be strong in the face of scrutiny? BM: I would say it's very prevalent, I think that coming forward and sharing your victimization is a significant step for an individual and it's something that they're in the best position to determine when the best time is to be able to do that. For some, it's immediate — they have a support system in place, they have resources in place, and they feel this is their opportunity to be able to reach out and get help right away. For others, the fear might be so great that the abuse is going to increase that it may hold them back or they might not feel that they're going to have support from their small social system, their family and friends, or the greater system. They might not feel that the community is going to believe them and support and help them and therefore, the consequences of coming forward are going to be greater than not coming forward. Domestic and sexual violence are still considered, by national statistics, the most underreported of all crimes, especially sexual violence. It often happens behind closed doors, if you will, and the only opportunity for it to become known is for the victim to come forward, and with sexual violence in particular it's very difficult to do that. (HAVEN) believes that just because women are in a violent relationship doesn't mean that they're weak. They might be very strong and that's what's keeping them alive is their strength. What we believe in doing is really supporting a survivor on where she's at, that there are individuals who believe that if they were to end the relationship or take
Supporting victims of violence
HAVEN's Beth Morrison still fighting domestic, sexual abuse
24 WEST OAKLAND WOMEN | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
WEST OAKLAND’S WOMEN REALTORS Janet Stockton
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some kind of action that their life would be in danger or maybe lives of other people would be in danger. And if that individual believes that's where they're at, we're not going to tell them what to do, we're going to support them and help them and look for other avenues of which maybe at some point in time they would be able to end that relationship and reach out for additional assistance. So we're really a survivor center — we take our cues and the lead from the survivor when they want to proceed. Our No. 1 goal is safety and educating people on safety, but No. 2 is really looking at and educating individuals about options and choices and resources. Some folks, they often start receiving a service by calling our crisis line and that's the first time maybe that they've had any information, so we try to get them information about what resources are available to them, who's there to be able to help them, what does that help look like and what resources are available to them. SCN: On the flip side, what does HAVEN do to educate people who know family members or friends who are victims of domestic violence or rape but may not know what to do or how to react? How important is the role of men in educating themselves on domestic violence and rape and how to address and possibly prevent it? BM: Well, that's another big part of our crisis line and some of our counseling program and information on our website to try and do just that. A lot of people want to do the right thing, but they don't know what the right thing is, so sometimes they don't do anything and we want people to act. So we reach out to the community and try to educate them about what is and isn't helpful, what are some things that you can do if you suspect or things you can do to prevent, so we encourage those folks to call our crisis line, to go on our website, to become educated themselves so that they can be a support person for a survivor, but also an ambassador for even the cause. (The role of men) is huge. If we're ever going to reach the point of eliminating domestic and sexual violence, we need the attention, dedication and commitment of men. We know that there are a lot of really good men out there who are not abusive, would never be abusive, but they don't know what to do, so they don't do anything, and what we need is men to come forward and ... to speak up, to educate other men about a man's role to hold other men accountable and to accept responsibility for their abusive behavior. When we can have that happen, then we stand a good chance of starting to put a dent in the statistics. SCN: When we write stories about our municipalities' Community Development Block Grant funds, we find that a lot of them allocate some of those funds to HAVEN. How much of your funding comes through CDBG monies? Where does the majority of your funding come from? BM: Over the years, we've been able to receive a significant amount of funding from the different municipalities. Unfortunately, the federal government imposed, I believe, a 43 or 45 percent cut in CDBG funds, so actually this year we're experiencing a significant decrease. In the past it was probably about 5 to 8 percent of our budget and we're expecting it this year to probably drop to about half of that to maybe 2 and a half or 3 percent of our budget. We have a budget of roughly $3 million dollars. About half of that comes from federal funding, that's either a direct fund from the federal government or funds that are passed through the state of Michigan, most of it under the Violence Against Women Act funding or Victims of Crime Act funding. The other half of our budget, we basically fund raise. It comes from grant writing to individual corporations and foundations, local ones, state and national ones, as well as individual donors, groups, churches, and social service clubs making donations to us. And then we do a few fund-raising events each year that also contribute to that, as well. So, without the community support and being able to raise the other half of our budget, obviously it would be very difficult for us to do what we do. SCN: How can people learn more about your organization and educate themselves about these issues? BM: One great place to start is going to our website, haven-oakland.org. If it's just for information and wanting to know about volunteerism or how they can be supportive of HAVEN, they can call our business line, which is 248-334-1284. Or if somebody is looking for services, they're in a crisis themselves or maybe they have a loved one that they're trying to assist and would like to learn more, the best thing is to call our crisis line, and that number is 877-922-1274. ✿
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