Grabbed off of FB, and loving it! Great to see a DV & SA Organization on one of the cars! Way to go No More.org!!!
First glimpse! Car No. 24 emblazoned with the NOMORE.org symbol! Please share and show support for Angela & Amber Cope as Angela race's to end domestic violence and sexual assault this weekend! Together, we can make a real difference.
Video Available on original article
"Since I left a domestic violence relationship in March, it's been really hard," she said, reading from the screen.
Dana has been searching for support in Little Rock after leaving an abusive relationship that lasted two and a half years.
"I still have nightmares every night, and I'm scared, she said. "I'm always looking around. If my children run up on me, wanting to play, I jump."
Finding a support group of women, outside of a shelter living situation, has been tough. Dana believed deciding to leave the abuse behind would have been the hardest part.
"Once you've made that decision, it's not over. It's important to leave, but it's also important to have support once you've left, instead of people saying here's a phone number and you falling through the cracks. That's what I felt like happened to me," she said. "Every time I would call the numbers, it was the same thing that support groups were only available to those residing in the shelter facilities."
Instead of giving up, Dana checked out. A book that is, written by another survivor. Mildred Muhammad is the ex-wife of the man known as the D.C. Sniper. Before his 10-person killing spree, his violence began in their home.
"I checked out the book and there were a lot of things in there I could identify with," Dana said. "Ms. Muhammad's email was in the book, and I decided to write her."
That memoir marked a turning point. Dana never expected a response, from Mildred Muhammad. But she got one.
"She sent my email to someone else, and my phone started ringing almost instantly last week.," Dana said.
"It's been difficult to get victims in touch with resources, and here recently it seems to have gotten more difficult," said Community Outreach Coordinator Meredith Looney of Women and Children First. "There are so many shelters that offer so many services, sometimes there's confusion."
Domestic violence organizations like hers know getting the right information to survivors can be a challenge, especially with staff turnovers.
"We do have staff turnover and we train the best we can, but if someone forgets that we have outreach programs for people who don't stay at our shelter, they might tell someone that. Then, that creates confusion," Looney said. "But we do have those resources and we do want survivors to be able to use them."
Women and Children First offers an whole host of support groups held throughout the week.
"They can be really comforting," Looney said. "Getting into these groups allows you to plug yourself into the reality that you're not the only one, you're not stuck."
"You still feel embarrassed, ashamed, and lonely," Dana said. "And I think being with a group of survivors who have been there would be good for me. Understanding how they're coping, and what they are going through. I don't want to feel alone."
After four months, Dana is plugged into the Women and Children First's program, and she's hoping other women find the help to heal as well.
"I needed help, and I'm sure there are other women in that situation who called," Dana said. "Hopefully they'll know the support is there."
To see the complete list of support groups offered by Women and Children First, click here.
Another great snag off of FB today…
This was grabbing off of FB, wanted to get the word out as far and wide as possible in hopes that all Survivors that would like to contribute can do so! If you have any questions, please contact that the Texas Survivor Caucus. Hope to see some wonderful artwork going in this year! Here’s just 2 of the gorgeous ones made last year!
As a part of the Texas Survivor Caucus (a part of the TCFV CANs), we are pleased to announce that we are gathering together for a cost of $16 per person attending to make survivor art to contribute Survivor Art to the Texas Council of Family Violence's State Conference inSeptember. All art prepared really should be to the TCFV by July 16th, but they made an exception for those attending this Survivor Art Craft Day.
The $16 cost includes any/all art supplies at the studio to create your survivor art. No need to bring your own; just show up, pay your $16 fee at the door, and put your creative mind to the work!!! The theme of the artwork is "What Survivorship Means to You"; if you aren't a survivor yourself, then "How I have been affected by Domestic Violence".
Kathryn Elizabeth Krastin is the lead on this Survivor Craft Day and will take your contributions to the TCFV office the following Monday for you. If you can't afford to pay the cost, please let Kathryn Elizabeth Krastin know; we may be able to offer a limited amount of scholarship for the coverage of the fee.
If you can't attend, the details for you to submit your artwork is as is below if you are still interested in doing a project for the event, but we encourage all those in the Greater Austin Area to attend.
The exhibit will be displayed for all TCFV’s statewide conference participants, presenters, and UT Austin students. We hope the conference participants will have the opportunity to expand their view of the complexities of family violence, resiliency of survivors, and envision violence free future with individuals, families, and communities.
The Exhibit information:
Location: AT&T conference center, TCFV Statewide conference 2012, Austin, TX
Workshop options to facilitate: Heart Stories/ Dream Boards/ Shoe Project “In Her Shoes”
Scholarships available: Yes, Please inquire with your CAN Liaison
Supplies& Size needed: Canvas Panel you can order from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Canvas-panels-10-inch-pack/dp/B00251EVPW/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1335541575&sr=1-1 or your local art supply store Size: 8” X 10”
Number of Pieces to submit: 2 pieces
Email Title of piece, Artist (preferred name), age and a short description of the piece (500 wds)
Submit a release form per artist for each piece: see attached release form
Proceeds of Auction: Given to participating Family Violence programs and TCFV C.A.N.s
Please feel free to share this with others (especially those in the Greater Austin Area) who could possibly want to attend.
We are anticipating a day of fun, laughter, and creativity!! :))
13450 Research Blvd. #229, Austin, Texas 78750
