Royal couple William and Kate take stand against bullying with nonprofit

This really touched me, and I think it's such a wonderful thing to do! I can imagine the financial relief reaching these organizations!

So many don't understand how much bullying truly does affect children, and even adults! My son unfortunately has been a bully magnet, and the main reason that he is now home schooled. He got to the point where he wanted to commit suicide, and held the bullying all in without telling us it was going on. We approached the principal of the last school he was in about the bullying, the principle wanted to take my son to the classroom to point out those that were bullying him then take them aside and have a discussion with them. Needless to say, I withdrew him from the school that day.

Lately there has been information being circulated that bullying is in fact connected to child abuse and domestic violence, something I have been saying for years! Those that are abused or bullied today are tomorrows victims and abusers. The time is now to step up and change the perspectives of our children and get them the help they need before they are dysfunctional adults!

Bullying has life long lasting affects on a victims psych, many spending years working on healing from the experiences. If we turn a blind eye to someone getting bullied today, if we tell them to just ignore it, doesn't that set them up to believing that being treated badly is ok and sets them up to being a victim of Domestic Violence as an adult? Being bullied IS part of the cycle of Domestic Violence, it's the beginning along with child abuse!

Do something about it now, step in and stop the bullying! Bullying is NOT child's play!


Published: Friday, April 29, 2011, 8:42 AM
Updated: Friday, April 29, 2011, 8:55 AM


With the whole world buzzing about today's nuptials of Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, there is in air of giddiness around many corners of there world. There is, however, a more serious component: The gifts. What exactly do you get the couple that has literally everything?

Rather than registering at the typical stores, William and Kate have instead decided to create a network of 26 charities that guests and fans can donate to in their honor. "The Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund" was established in order to direct those gifts to the correct charities in the categories of support for services personnel and their families, conservation for future generations, changing lives through arts and sport, help and care at home, and finally children fulfilling their potential.

The category of children fulfilling their potential includes a nonprofit organization titled,BeatBullying. Middleton was reportedly a victim of bullying as a child and holds this organization close to her heart. According to their website, “Beatbullying is the UK's leading bullying prevention charity, creating a world where bullying, violence and harassment are unacceptable.” BeatBullying has worked with over 1.6 million of the youth in the UK in various school and community programs.

In an interview with Bay Windows, BeatBullying CEO Emma-Jane Cross said, “We hope this partnership will help Beatbullying’s message resonate worldwide -- that we all need to protect our children and young people who are often the most vulnerable in society. Our research shows that one in three children have been bullied -- this is unacceptable, but together we can stop this."

With the increase in student suicide following homophobic and cyberbullying, it speaks volumes that the royal couple is putting forth this effort to help a worthwhile cause. BeatBullying offers specific programs including those targeted at preventing LGBT students from being bullied as well as CyberMentors, an effort to prevent cyberbullying. Middleton may be years past her days when she was a bullying victim, but it is evident that it affected her enough to drive her to make a change for the greater good.

http://www.masslive.com/bullying/index.ssf/2011/04/royal_couple_takes_a_stand_against_bullying.html

Mary Kay launches initiative to help fight domestic violence

The study outlined below was conducted from April 24, 2009 to May 7, 2009.  I want to point out that 3/4 of the Domestic Violence (DV) Shelters involved in this survey have stated that they have seen an increase in those seeking assistance.  I would like to also point out that we have seen a HUGE increase in murder-suicides in the last few months as well.  The results below state that shelters have noticed the increase since September 2008. 

 

May 12, 2009 09:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

“Mary Kay’s Truth About Abuse” Survey Links Economic Downturn to National Increase in Domestic Violence

Mary Kay Launches Philanthropic Initiative Beauty That Counts^TM to Help Fight Domestic Violence

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mary Kay Inc. today announced results from “Mary Kay’s Truth About Abuse” survey of domestic violence shelters across the country. The findings reveal an alarming trend: three out of four domestic violence shelters report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse since September 2008, a major turning point in the U.S. economy. The survey data directly connects a major reason for the increase in domestic violence to the downturn in the economy.

“Mary Kay’s Truth About Abuse” survey polled more than 600 domestic violence shelters nationwide. Representatives of the shelters surveyed report they have observed an increase in requests for assistance from domestic violence victims because of the following reasons:

• Seventy-three percent attribute the rise in abuse to “financial issues.”
• “Stress” and “job loss” (61 percent and 49 percent, respectively) also proved to be leading contributing factors in the reported increase in domestic violence cases involving women.

“Mary Kay’s survey confirms what we’ve been hearing from domestic violence programs across the country,” said Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. “The economic downturn is exacerbating domestic violence. The demand for domestic violence services is growing, and we must increase support for victims during this difficult time. Now more than ever, we urge corporations and other organizations to follow Mary Kay’s lead in the fight to end domestic violence.”

“Mary Kay’s Truth About Abuse” Survey Regional Findings

Mary Kay’s survey compared four U.S. regions, including the Northeast, South, Midwest and West. Survey highlights include:

The number of shelters reporting an increase in women seeking help as a result of domestic violence since September 2008:

• The region with the largest reported increase was the South (78 percent); followed by
• The Midwest region, which reported a 74 percent increase;
• The Northeast takes the No. 3 place with a 72 percent reported increase; and
• The West rounds out the regional list with a 71 percent reported increase in women seeking help as a result of domestic violence.

The survey also inquired about the cause(s) for the increase in domestic violence cases across regions:

• Seventy-five percent of shelters in the West report “financial issues.”
• Approximately 66 percent of respondents in the Midwest note “stress.”
• More than half of respondents (53 percent) in the South report “job loss.”
• The “loss of a home or vehicle” was reported more often in the Midwest than other regions, with 44 percent; the Northeast had the lowest with 35 percent.
• Reasons more commonly associated with domestic violence, such as “substance abuse” and “relationship challenges,” also contributed to the increase in domestic violence shelter assistance in each region, according to the survey.

One Lipstick at a Time: Beauty That Counts™ Initiative

To help combat domestic violence, Mary Kay Inc. is launching a national philanthropic campaign, Beauty That Counts™. In the United States, from May 1, 2009, through Dec. 15, 2009, $1 will be donated from each sale of Beauty That Counts™ Mary Kay^® Creme Lipstick in limited-edition Pink Passion and in Gingerbread. As part of its U.S.-based efforts, Mary Kay Inc. is proud to support the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation in its ongoing commitment to end domestic violence. For the inaugural year of the global Beauty That Counts™ initiative in 2008, Mary Kay is donating just under $2 million (USD) to causes that change the lives of women and children around the world, including domestic violence prevention and education efforts.

Rhonda Shasteen, spokesperson for Mary Kay’s Beauty That Counts™ initiative, added: “Financial issues have affected many families across the country, putting domestic violence survivors at an even greater risk for abuse. That’s one more reason why Mary Kay offers programs such as Beauty That Counts™ to further its commitment to preventing and ending domestic violence.”

For more information on Mary Kay’s Beauty That Counts^TM program or its U.S. philanthropic efforts, please visit www.marykay.com.

About Mary Kay

Mary Kay, one of the largest direct sellers of skin care and color cosmetics, realized another year of record results. In 2008 Mary Kay Inc. and its international subsidiaries achieved $2.6 billion in wholesale sales worldwide. Mary Kay^® products are sold in more than 35 markets worldwide, and the global Mary Kay independent sales force exceeds 1.9 million. To learn more about Mary Kay, log on to www.marykay.com or call 1-800-MARY KAY (1-800-627-9529).

About “Mary Kay’s Truth About Abuse” Survey

The survey polled 634 domestic violence shelters across the United States about domestic violence and the economy. The study was conducted online between April 24, 2009, and May 7, 2009.

About the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation

The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is twofold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded nearly $18 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and nearly $12 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, log on to www.mkacf.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (1-877-652-2737).

The Power of One

There is a new campaign going on in North Carolina, sponsored by the NCCADV, and running through Oct. 1, 2009.

If you live in NC please read about the campaign here:  http://uaadvnorthcarolina.blogspot.com/2009/04/power-of-one.html

If you are not in NC but you know others who are feel free to pass on the link or its contents in whatever way you see fit.

Thank you!!

Tell a Gal P.A.L.

The Allstate Foundation just launched the Tell a Gal P.A.L. program and contest on www.ClickToEmpower.org.

The program encourages people to donate nearly new purses or professional bags to Dress for Success to help domestic violence survivors, or other women in need, get back on their feet with confidence. Purse donations will be accepted at select Allstate agency locations across the nation.

To help kick start this, ABCs Ugly Betty actress, Ana Ortiz, will donate her Onna Ehrlich purse to one lucky winner for telling others about domestic violence. To enter the contest, visit http://www.clicktoempower.com/gal-pal-entry-form.aspx  - the contest ends on October 31.

Please visit HERE to find out what P.A.L. stands for!

Domestic Violence Shelters Nationwide to Receive $3 Million Cash Infusion

 

DALLAS, Sept 23, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Domestic violence shelters nationwide are receiving an influx of badly-needed cash, thanks to the foundation started by the late Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Inc. The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation (MKACF) is awarding grants totaling $3 million to domestic violence shelters across the U.S. The grants -- 150 in all, covering all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico -- will be used for...  Domestic Violence Shelters Nationwide to Receive $3 Million Cash Infusion During Economic Downturn - MarketWatch

Verizon Awards $1 Million to National Family Justice Center Alliance

Throughout the U.S., survivors of domestic violence and their children will receive new and more effective services -- thanks to a $1 million grant from the Verizon Foundation to the National Family Justice Center Alliance.

The grant, announced Friday (April 4), establishes the Family Justice Center Institute, a technology and training arm within the National Family Justice Center Alliance. The center will use technology and best practices to streamline service and provide training for employees and volunteers.... Verizon Verizon Awards $1 Million to National Family Justice Center Alliance to Help Improve Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence

UAADV reaching out to more people through new WOHCA groups

I'd like to take a moment to tell you all about the new Wings of Hope- Crafty Angels groups. We have decided to have the WOHCA groups available in several different online communities in an effort to extend our ability to reach those who would like to help. With these new groups people can join a group where they already have a login and password, thus alleviating the need to make a new account in Yahoo. The Yahoo Group will not change, and the calendar will be the same across all groups so that everyone is still working towards the same goals at the same times. The new groups are:

MSN: http://groups.msn.com/WingsofHope-CraftyAngels

Google: http://groups.google.com/group/wings-of-hope--crafty-angels

MySpace: http://groups.myspace.com/wohca

phpbb: http://wohca.org/phpbb

The WOHCA website (wohca.org) has not been updated with these new groups, but as soon as it is I will let you know. Not all of the groups are completely set up, but I am working on it, please feel free to join and get started talking as soon as you want.

Mary