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SWiC Seeks to Grow Partnerships in Faith Community As a followup to this year’s ARISE (Awareness Raising, Information Sharing Event) held in October, SWiC seeks to canvas the faith community throughout Schuylkill County in 2012. SWiC staff, Darla Troutman, is scheduling presentations in either or both of the following ways: 1. Darla would like to partner with a specific faith leader to host a meeting in their community to which other leaders in that town or area would be invited. Darla seeks pastors and/or other faith leaders willing to host and help coordinate short informational meetings that may be as brief as half hour in which general information about domestic violence and SWiC would be shared. In this setting, questions are encouraged, as dialogue can dispel misconceptions and possibly hinder future acts of abuse much more efficiently than silence. 2. Darla would also like to partner with specific churches or faith organizations to conduct a “sweep” of that organization – presenting prevention and awareness information to all or most subgroups within that church within a time of approximately one month. For example, Darla could present separately to a youth group, a women’s group, the church’s governing body, staff and volunteers, etc. – all within that same organization. Presentations would be geared to that particular subgroup and could be of a length determined by the church or organization. When victims of abuse decide to break the silence and seek help, surveys show that a leader in their faith community will be among the first people to whom they turn. Any leaders in the faith community interested in either of these partnering opportunities should call Darla at SWiC, 570.622.3991, or email swicgrantwriter@comcast.net. Keep your eyes open for events in your community as they are organized. 
DOWNLOAD FLYER IN .PDF FORMAT Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse: Seeking Safety for All 
Approximately 1 in 3 women will experience abuse in a relationship in their lifetimes. Since more than 71 million U.S. households include companion animals as pets, inevitably many of those households will experience both domestic violence and animal abuse. In fact, studies show that cases of intentional animal abuse very often occurred in homes where substantiated cases of domestic violence, child abuse, and/or elder abuse also occurred. Consider these statistics:
Domestic violence victims understand the likelihood that their abusers may harm, neglect, or abandon their pet if left behind. When victims with pets consider fleeing abusive homes and they can not find a safe place to house their pets, many will choose to remain in danger until or unless a safe place can be found. Recognizing both the urgent need to protect domestic violence victims from further abuse and the comfort that pets provide people, especially in times of stress and trauma, Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWiC) has been seeking to partner with animal care organizations and businesses such as the American Humane Society, SPCA’s, and local veterinarians and boarding facilities. SWiC has also at times been able to secure funding to pay for temporary boarding for pets through various organizations and foundations. Veterinarians and boarding facilities interested in more information about partnering with SWiC for the safety of victims of domestic violence and their pets can call Darla at 570.622.3991. We are in need of the following items for SWiC’s emergency shelter: · High Efficiency (HE) Laundry Detergent, · Pillows, · Deodorant. We would also like to collect a few wheeled grocery baskets for residents who must walk to the grocery store. If you are able to donate any of the above needed items, please call SWiC’s office at 570.622.3991 or email swicagency@comcast.net to make arrangements. Thank you! Proceeds benefit SWiC 
Check out The Grateful Thread’s website and online store at www.gratefulthread.org for beautiful bargains that support SWiC! |
Get Ready for Tee Time – Save the Date! 
The 17th Annual SWiC Spring Challenge tees off at 1 p.m. at Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville, on Friday, April 27, 2012. You can support services for victims of domestic violence while enjoying the fresh air and beauty of the mountains and greens. Golfers also enjoy lunch at noon and dinner at 6:00. Registration is required, and sponsorships are available. Recognition for sponsors and contributors will be included on printed materials. More details will be available in the near future. For more information about the golf tournament, call SWiC at 570.622.3991 or visit the website www.s-wic.org/golf. Fund Drive Can Help Thousands Dear Friends: Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWiC) thanks the Schuylkill County community for the generous contributions for SWiC’s Annual Holiday Fund Drive to help victims of domestic violence in our area. SWiC is dedicated to the safety, healing, and self-determination of victims of domestic and sexual violence, and supporters like you help to fuel that pursuit. Comprehensive services, outreach, education, and advocacy all empower victims to transform themselves into survivors. Women who come to our newly-renovated shelter facility or come for counseling at our new offices share how moved they are by our community’s very tangible commitment to their safety. They quickly learn that despite what they have been told, they are not alone, others do care, and that their future is rich with possibilities. On behalf of all of us at SWiC and the women and children we serve, our sincere thanks and best wishes! P.S. It’s not too late to contribute to the Annual Holiday Fund Drive. Checks made payable to SWiC can be mailed to SWiC, P.O. Box 96, Pottsville, PA 17901. Donations may also be made online at www.s-wic.org. Thank you!  Check out SWiC’s presentations or resources at the following upcoming events: Tuesday, January 31 Pottsville Kiwanis at Hoss’s, Cressona. Thursday, February 2 - 7:30 p.m. Schuylkill Veterinary Hospital, Route 61, Pottsville, for staff and free to public. Special NOTES FOR VOLUNTEERS: Mark your calendars for the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. for Volunteer Meetings. The next Volunteer Meeting will be February 14 at 7 p.m. Mary Jo will send reminders, but please RSVP either way. Please remember to EMAIL OR DROP OFF YOUR VOLUNTEER SLIPS AND HOURS to Mary Jo at the end of every month. This is VERY IMPORTANT!! Spring Volunteer Training Have you ever thought about volunteering for SWiC? SWiC was founded in 1983 by all volunteers and has relied heavily on volunteers ever since. The next volunteer trainings will begin in March. Volunteers help SWiC in two capacities – as direct service and as indirect service. Direct service volunteers work directly with our clients and must complete the state-mandated 45-hour training. Examples of direct service volunteering include answering hotline, assisting victims in SWiC’s courthouse office, providing shelter coverage, helping at activities and programs for shelter and transitional housing residents, etc. Direct service volunteers can also help in an indirect capacity as well. Indirect service volunteers do not need to complete the training and can volunteer in ways that do not involve direct contact with clients, such as at fundraisers, tables in malls and other public events, stuffing envelopes and other clerical assistance, etc. Anyone interested in SWiC’s volunteer training sessions, contact Mary Jo at 570.622.3991 or swicmedadv@comcast.net. Check out SWiC’s ‘Face’ 
Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWiC) has joined Facebook. Access SWiC’s facebook page by going to www.facebook.com/swicpa and click “like” next to the name. Check out the news, events, fundraisers, and notices for items SWiC really needs. Help spread the word by encouraging family and friends to do the same. Thank you, SWiC Supporters and “Friends!” 
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